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livingontheland - [Livingontheland] ORGANIC BYTES #113

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Subject: Healthy soil and sustainable growing

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Chronological Thread  
  • From: "Douglas Willhite" <drwillhite@earthlink.net>
  • To: "Douglas & Hillary Willhite" <drwillhite@earthlink.net>
  • Subject: [Livingontheland] ORGANIC BYTES #113
  • Date: Thu, 12 Jul 2007 16:18:32 -0700

ORGANIC BYTES #113
Health, Justice and Sustainability News Tidbits
7/12/2007
 

STUDY OF THE WEEK:
ORGANIC FARMING CAN FEED THE WORLD

A new University of Michigan study indicates that organic farming is more productive than chemical and energy intensive industrial agriculture. Researchers noted 293 examples in previous studies that corroborate the fact that organic farming is better than conventional, but pointed out that biased studies funded by chemical producers have clouded the public's understanding of the issue. Corporate agribusiness has spent decades repeating the mantra that chemical intensive agriculture is necessary to feed the world. But according to the new report, "Model estimates indicate that organic methods could produce enough food on a global per capita basis to sustain the current human population, and potentially an even larger population, without increasing the agricultural land base." Ivette Perfecto, a professor at the University of Michigan, said of the study, "My hope is that we can finally put a nail in the coffin of the idea that you can't produce enough food through organic agriculture."
Learn more: http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_5996.cfm

 

GRASSROOTS VICTORY OF THE WEEK:
CONGRESS BACKS OFF ON SUPPRESSING LOCAL RIGHTS TO REGULATE FOOD SAFETY

Thanks to everyone who has joined in on OCA's recent Farm Bill action alerts. Deluged with thousands of letters from consumers and organic advocates, Congress is removing language, so-called Section 123, from the Farm Bill that would have eliminated local and state governments' power to regulate genetically engineered crops and police food safety at the local and state level (learn more about this past alert here). This is a significant achievement. The 2007-2012 Farm Bill is a massive, multi-faceted piece of legislation, so there is a lot of work to be done to move this multi-billion dollar colossus in a sustainable and equitable direction. If you haven't already done so, please take action on the following OCA Farm Bill alerts:

DISASTER OF THE WEEK:
AMERICA'S CHEMICALLY DEPENDENT & TOXIC LAWNS

  • 67 million pounds of pesticides are applied to roughly 30 million acres of lawns in the U.S. each year.
  • The #1 most water intensive crop in the United States is lawn grass. The average lawn is doused with 10,000 gallons of water each year (in addition to rainfall).
  • Synthetic fertilizers run off into streets and local waterways, choking aquatic life and polluting our water.
  • The EPA estimates that a mower emits as much pollution in one hour as a car emits in driving 20 miles.
  • Numerous studies have linked common household herbicides and pesticides to asthma, cancer, reduced fertility and neurological harm to fetuses, infants and children.

SOLUTION OF THE WEEK:
THE BEST LOOKING ORGANIC LAWN ON THE BLOCK

  • Relax: Don't be afraid to let your average lawn height be higher than the local putting green. Taller grass has deeper roots, which requires less watering.
  • Seed: You get what you pay for. If you need to seed bare spots in your lawn, be aware that cheaper grass seeds tend to have more weed contamination than higher-end products.
  • Weed: Use a dandelion digging fork instead of purchasing dangerous pesticides.
  • Mulch: Grass clippings can provide the majority of nutrients needed by a lawn.
  • Fertilize: For yards that require fertilization, most garden centers now carry organic fertilizers that are better for your lawn and the environment.
  • Mow: Use electric, rechargeable or push mowers. Mow grass when it's dry and make sure the blade is sharp to reduce damage to grass.

Read the "Citizen's Guide to Organic Lawn Care" for more info: http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_5997.cfm



  • [Livingontheland] ORGANIC BYTES #113, Douglas Willhite, 07/12/2007

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