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 …
Opinion: De-Californify the Nation’s Produce Supply
In the crush of recent articles about California’s drought, a number of op-eds featuring big ideas have appeared. Journalist Tom Philpott (@tomphilpott) – he writes for Mother Jones – has penned …
A craft beer tax battle is brewing in Congress
Craft beer is becoming a big business around the country. It’s also made its way into Congress, where there is a Small Brewers Caucus in the House (it has 142 …
Growing coffee (and avocados) in So Cal
For those committed to consuming local foods, coffee is often the place we choose to cut ourselves some slack. The U.S. imports nearly all of its coffee. The notable exception …
Soil conservation farming wins converts
Soil conservation farming, also known as no-tillage farming, is growing in popularity. The suite of methods promotes leaving fields untilled, the use of cover crops, and other soil-enhancing practices. The …
The 2015 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee has recommended that we consume less sugar. Recommendations issued by the World Health Organization offer the same advice. It’s difficult to reduce your intake …
“They tried to arrest me for planting carrots”
Garden activist Ron Finley writes an eloquent piece for Fortune magazine. In it, he shares the story of how the seeds of his activism were planted, and the ways in …
Added sugars in processed foods: have we reached a tipping point?
With General Mills’ recent announcement that it was cutting the amount of added sugar in its Yoplait Original yogurt by more than 25%, one has to wonder if America is …
Veterans turn their hands to farming
Returning veterans face many challenges transitioning back to civilian life. Many veterans suffer from PTSD; they also have higher rates of divorce, depression, and suicide than the general public. And …
Grow it: gardening ideas and resources
Even if you’re snowbound, you can dream about the gardening days to come. Freshly harvested tomatoes, lettuce…and more. What we grow in school, home and community gardens can improve our …