Harnessing bacteria to give crops a boost
There is growing interest in the important ways that microbes impact all facets of our life. “In our bodies, they help fight off disease. In the soil, they help deliver …
FDA wants to pull back the curtain on antibiotics
Even as more companies announce that they will reduce the use of antibiotics in meat production, the argument about the use of antibiotics in animals continues. One issue is that …
Why some aren’t taking Chipotle’s GMO announcement seriously
Making big headlines this week was Chipotle’s renouncement of “ingredients derived from genetically modified organisms, or GMOs.” Chipotle indicated that GMOs don’t “align” with the company’s notion of “food with …
Tyson to stop giving chickens antibiotics used by humans
A harbinger of things to come? Tyson Foods – the nation’s largest poultry producer – announced it will stop “feeding its chickens any antibiotics that are used in human medicine.” …
Drought watch: a rogue’s gallery of water guzzlers
One response to California’s disastrous drought has been to point fingers at specific crops and frame them as villains. But it’s not that simple. For example, while almonds consume a …
Cool beans: they’re designed to beat climate change
The earth is warming. This will certainly require new food crops that can adapt to the changing climate and resource constraints. The latest hope centers on beans being grown in …
Cramped chicken cages are going away. What’s next?
There is increased demand from consumers for eggs that are more humanely produced, which is part of a growing concern about animal welfare in general. California recently enacted Proposition 2, …
A solution to Iowa’s nitrate problem
In January, NPR’s Dan Charles reported that the city of Des Moines, Iowa – concerned about human and environmental health impacts and rising water treatment costs – intended to sue …