Infographic - Biodiversity for Family Farming

New US Farm Bill is Good News for the Environment

A long awaited farm bill is finally set to be passed and it contains good news for farmers looking for protection against crop losses, land conservation, hemp farming, organics, renewable energy, biofuels, biorefineries and biomass. While the bill preserves programs that foster local agriculture, it does not tackle the biggest environmental issue of agriculture's huge carbon footprint which is responsible for around 33 percent of US carbon emissions. It specifically ignores addressing the massive footprint of agricultural fertilizers and factory farms.

Infographics: Population, Food, Agriculture, Water, GHGs and Solutions (World Resources Institute)

Event - Sustainable Ag Expo

The 9th Sustainable Ag Expo will take place on November 18-19, 2013 at the Madonna Inn Expo Center in San Luis Obispo, California.

This event provides a unique opportunity for farmers, ag professionals, and pest control advisors representing a variety of operations to learn about the latest in farming research, resource issues, and business trends related to sustainable agriculture. This two-day educational meeting provides ample continuing education credits, an innovative trade show, and an exhibitor showcase.

Agricultural Costs of Climate Change, Land Degradation and Water Scarcity

According to one study the combined impacts of Climate change, land degradation and water scarcity could cost as much as $8 trillion in agriculture assets each year. This is the finding of a study from the University of Oxford’s Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment.

Agricultural impacts of climate change, land degradation and water scarcity are complicated by increased production. This increased production is due to growing investment in agriculture which is intended to capitalize on high commodity prices. According to the Oxford Smith School study capital stock could lose between $4.4 trillion and $8 trillion in a single year.

Invitation to Comment on the USDA GHG Climate Report

A call for comments on the recent USDA greenhouse gas (GHG) climate report titled, Science-Based Methods for Entity-Scale Quantification of Greenhouse Gas Sources and Sinks from Agriculture and Forestry Practices, and was published by the Climate Change Program Office of the US Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Office of the Chief Economist.

The report is the work of 38 scientists from across academia, USDA and the federal government. These researchers are experts in GHG estimation in the cropland, grazing land, livestock and forest management sectors.

The report outlines a set of consensus methods for quantifying GHG emissions and carbon storage at the local farm, ranch or forest scale. The methods reviewed have undergone peer review and exhibit both scientific rigor and cost effectiveness.

Organic Produce and Sustainable Seafoods

Organic and certified sustainability seafoods are increasingly popular, they are also healthier and environmentally less damaging than traditional foods. Organically grown foods are less destructive to the land, and because they do not require chemical fertilizers and they have a lower greenhouse gas profile.

According to a recent United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report titled Green Economy and Trade-Trends, Challenges and Opportunities, The global market for organic food and beverages is projected to grow from $62.9 billion in 2011 to $105 billion by 2015.

The total value of seafood that has been farmed according to certified sustainability standards is forecast to increase to $1.25 billion by 2015, up from $300 million in 2008, according to the report.

Earth Wisdom Permaculture Event: A New Paradigm in Regenerative Living

Earth Wisdom Permaculture is a 2-week Permaculture Design Course. It will take place on July 20 to August 3 in London, Ontario. This internationally recognized, 72-hour training offers information on the ethics, principles, methods, techniques, and practices of Permaculture Design Course. The Earth Wisdom Permaculture course provides you with the skills to meet the challenging cultural, environmental and energy-supply changes that face us. It teaches how to reconnect with the 'Original Instructions' revealed within nature so that we are empowered to create positive, active and practical solutions for personal, community and environment benefit.

Permaculture Design Course at the Whole Village

The Permaculture Design Course at the Whole Village will take place on July 22 to August 4, 2012, in Caledon, Ontario. This course is designed to create a self sufficient lifestyle in harmony with nature. This intensive 13 day course offers practical training in permaculture design principles and techniques to create sustainable environments that provide self-reliance in food, shelter, energy, fulfilling employment and supportive community. This training will be useful for those from beginning, backyard gardeners to design professionals. Field trips and practical sessions for design and gardening are included. Evening seminars and socials complete the day sessions. Topics include: Ecological Landscape Design, Organic Gardening, Edible Landscaping and Forest Gardening, Poultry Care, Appropriate Technology, Ecovillage Design, Ecoforestry, Soil Fertility and Composting, Fruit and Nut Production, Water Harvesting and Uses.

Ecological Farmers Summer Bus Tour to Rodale (Event)

On July 19-21, 2012, there will be a summer bus trip to Rodale (3 full days/2 nights). We will participants will be part of the Rodale Institute Annual Field Day where speakers will present research information and a tour of their research farm. They will also visit include several farm stops in New York and Pennsylvania including Eric and Anne Nordell’s vegetable farm (at Trout Run, Pa) and Steve Groff’s Farm to discuss cover crops and his crop management systems.