HR 875

Below is a note that I received from Alex Tiller. Check it out.

"I wanted to make you aware of an online petition to stop HR 875, the so called “Food Safety Modernization Act of 2009” that would effectively obliterate small scale farming and gardening for profit in America. It would crush our small local food producers by imposing heavy government regulation that only large corporations could adhere to.
Please check out: http://www.leavemyfoodalone.org/ "

DOI's Bison Conservation Initiative

The American Buffalo or Bison is an important species native to much of the North American continent and is an icon of the nation. I enjoy seeing them in various places as I travel around the country. Most of them are in small herds on private lands. I would not like to see them restored at the expense of private property rights or at the expense of the important use of some federal and state lands for cattle and sheep, however, a balanced approach that includes conservation of the species is important. They also make for pretty good eating....

Secretary Kempthorne Launches Bison Conservation Initiative

From Aggie Carrots to Tomatoes

At first glance, one would think that maroon carrots at A&M were just a gimmick based on the school colors. The fact is that the maroon carrots are high in a specific antioxidant that has been shown to be life-prolonging in laboratory mice. The work done there has now been utilized by others to produce maroon tomatoes. Who knows, maybe the world of food will slowly become maroon and white, demonstrating the real impact of Texas A&M's role in feeding the world. Gig 'em!!



A&M's maroon carrot branches out
Based on research at school in the '80s, scientists are starting to develop purplish tomatoes with a life-prolonging antioxidant

Gene Identified to Improve Rice Yields

Rice is the number one food crop for the majority of the people on earth. Improved yields are critical for meeting future food needs.

Scientists identify gene that may contribute to improved rice yield

A team of scientists, including Hong Ma, Penn State distinguished professor of biology, has identified a gene in rice that controls the size and weight of rice grains. The gene may prove to be useful for breeding high-yield rice and, thus, may benefit the vast number of people who rely on this staple food for survival. "Our work shows that...(complete news release here).

Regulating Genetically Engineered Animals

Genetic engineering is a growing industry that affects everything from food production to medicine and fuel.

FDA Issues Draft Guidance on Regulating Genetically Engineered Animals

Public comment invited on application of new animal drug provisions of the Federal Food Drug and Cosmetic Act

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, part of the Department of Health and Human Services, today released for public comment draft guidance on the regulation of genetically engineered (GE) animals. The guidance document is intended to clarify the FDA's regulatory authority in this field, as well as the requirements and recommendations for producers of GE animals and products derived from GE animals.

The comment period for the...(complete news release here).

U.N.'s Look at Poverty

The U.N. has taken a new look at poverty around the world.

Poverty Around The World

"...The World Bank also adds that the previous $1 a day estimate for the international poverty line would have been $1.45 a day at 2005 prices if only inflation was accounted for.

The revised estimates include a lot more recalculations and the $1 a day measure used in some of the charts below are therefore not to be confused with the old $1 a day measure, and where available, a $1.45 measure is also provided as well as a more current $1 a day measure. (Because some developing countries also have poverty lines at $2 and $2.50 a day, those are also shown, where available.)

At a poverty line of $1.25 a day, the revised estimates find..." (complete article here).

Irradiated Lettuce and Fresh Spinach Now

Good move. They've been irradiating beef for awhile now.

FDA Announces Final Rule Amending the Food Additive Regulations to Allow for the Irradiation of Fresh Iceberg Lettuce and Fresh Spinach

Water for Irrigation: Time Now to Plan

Many times we hear of the competing needs between water for cities and water for agriculture. It is nice to hear a voice that recognizes that water -- irrigation water -- is necessary to feed the world. Where will we get sufficient water for irrigation? It is a question that must be answered quickly when we consider the rapidly growing world population.

Water everywhere, and not a drop to grow

Limited availability of fresh water is often overlooked as a cause of food scarcity and environmental decline, according to Colin Chartres. Governments should be ramping up efforts to make sure we have enough to grow crops as well as enough to drink, he argues.

This year, the world and, in particular, developing countries and the poor have been hit by both food and energy crises.

As a consequence, prices for many staple foods have risen by up to 100%.
When we examine the...(complete article here).

Brazil: The Next Breadbasket of the World

Brazil is quickly becoming the new breadbasket of the world. There are struggles though. Besides the internal political battles and the normal battle with the environment, Brazilian farmers often must also battle the world's environmentalists.

The Amazon basin and accompanying jungle are important reservoirs of biological diversity. Care must be used to retain that diverse environment. Many important drugs will be derived from the plants there. We also must consider the potential food plants that have fed the native populations for centuries.

Growth of the farming sector must consider the value of the native flora and fauna. It will be interesting to watch them "walk the tightrope" of development.

As the article mentions, one of their more daunting problems is developing infrastructure at a pace that will meet the needs of development.

Brazil's farms see quiet revolution


By Gary Duffy BBC News,
Sao Paulo

On the family farm run by Joao Baggio Neto in the southern Brazilian state of Parana, you get some sense of the determination and competitive spirit that motivates Brazil's farmers.

Blessed with what often seems like endless amounts of land and a good climate, Brazil has grown in recent years to become an agricultural superpower.

Joao Baggio says the most important improvement in his part of the country in the past decade has been the increase in productivity.

"We came from a...(complete article here).

Thermodynamics and Food Production

This is an interesting look at energy use and food production.

Feeling the heat of food security

Peter Baker

Reforming the economics of food production and supply would be beneficial for a number of environmental and social problems, argues Peter Baker. A key issue, he says, is understanding the energy involved in putting food on your plate.

Global development, global debt, global warming, food miles, food security, food riots, peak oil, peak water…

What's this got to do with small farmers and global food chains?

The answer is that all the issues mentioned above intersect over small farmers.

If we can't quite get a grip on what is happening to the world, we won't be able to do a good job for them, and we'll waste a lot of resources in the process.

It's perfectly reasonable to...(complete article here).

Sudan Food Production and Food Aid

This is a complex issue that underlines the difficulty with working with the corrupt regimes in some parts of the world.

Darfur Withers as Sudan Sells a Food Bonanza

By JEFFREY GETTLEMAN
Published: August 9, 2008

ED DAMER, Sudan — Even as it receives a billion pounds of free food from international donors, Sudan is growing and selling vast quantities of its own crops to other countries, capitalizing on high global food prices at a time when millions of people in its war-riddled region of Darfur barely have enough to eat.

Here in the bone-dry desert, where desiccated donkey carcasses line the road, huge...(complete article here).

IRRI Looks at Rice Crisis

The IRRI has released their July-Sept. issue. The news release linked below contains links to the various articles in the issue. It is a very thoughtful look at the current world rice situation and some proposed solutions.

Rice Today Vol. 7 No. 3, July–September 2008

Solving the rice crisis: What needs to be done?

The latest from Rice Today, the magazine of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI)

Los Baños, Philippines – In April and May this year, agriculture in general and rice in particular dominated world headlines in a way not seen for decades. As rice prices skyrocketed to 35-year highs, civil unrest broke out in several countries around the globe. The latest issue of Rice Today offers a rice crisis roundup, including...(complete news release here).

Funding to Protect Key Pollinators

We must have key pollinator species for food production.

New $27 million project will protect key pollinators for food security and biodiversity

WASHINGTON/Nairobi, 8 August 2008 – A new project worth $26.45 million has been launched by the Global Environment Facility to better protect bees, bats and birds that are essential to the world’s crop production.

The unique five-year project “Conservation & Management of Pollinators for Sustainable Agriculture through an Ecosystem Approach”, which will be implemented through the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), will help ensure food security through the protection of the key pollinator species.

The project is...(complete article here).

EU Cereal Harvest Projections

We may see U.S. yields down significantly. This is important news.

Annual crop yield forecast: European Commission foresees above average cereals harvest for 2008

EU Bio-fuels Reaction and Food Price Impact

The European backlash to bio-fuels appears to be much greater than in the U.S. It may be due to the way foods are prepared there as opposed to U.S. methods. In the U.S., the volume of pre-pared foods is extremely high relative to most of the world. The high level of preparation places a greater percentage of the cost of those foods in the pre-preparation than in the food itself. Therefore a change in the cost of the basic commodity would have a smaller relative impact on the overall price. In the lesser developed world such as Africa, the impact is extremely high.

ENVIRONMENT: EU Backs Away From Agrofuels

By Julio Godoy
PARIS, Jul 28 (IPS) - EU ministers for energy and the environment have revised their targets for renewable energy in the face of abundant new evidence that increased production of agrofuels is partly responsible for the worldwide increase of food prices.

The EU has had a declared objective of...(complete article here).

Proper Storage of Bagged Salads

Bacteria and viruses are pervasive in the environment. They are everywhere -- including on food. Proper handling and preparation are necessary to prevent transmission of those pathogens to humans. Wash your food before preparation. Keep food preparation surfaces clean. Store foods at the proper temperature. Cook foods adequately. Wash your hands!

These simple things can greatly reduce problems like e. coli and salmonella outbreaks that we have seen in the news recently.

Cold Temperature is Key to Quality of Bagged Salads

By Rosalie Marion Bliss
July 24, 2008

Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists have found that proper storage temperatures are essential to minimize bacterial growth and adaptability inside sealed, bagged salads. They have been studying the safety of new technologies that extend the shelf life of bagged salad greens.

The work was...(complete news release here).

A Successful Agricultural Stimulus in Africa

It is good to see a success story in Africa.


A winner

Input trade fairs boost harvests in Swaziland

Rome/Mbabane – With food prices hitting record highs world wide, FAO is helping implement urgent measures to increase local food production in the most affected countries. A telling example from Swaziland shows how input trade fairs enable poor farmers boost their crops.

Passing through the sloping green fields of Swaziland’s central plains one may well imagine that agriculture is thriving in...(complete article here).

Spices Combat Foodborne Pathogens

I just found this interesting....

Spice-Rack Favorites Battle E. coli and Other Foodborne Pathogens

By Marcia Wood
July 14, 2008

Herbs and spices like oregano, thyme, cinnamon and clove do more than add pleasing flavors and aromas to familiar foods. The oils from these plants, or compounds extracted from those oils, pack a powerful, antimicrobial punch—strong enough to help quell such foodborne pathogens as Escherichia coli O157:H7.

That's according to...(complete article here).

Australian Drought Worsens

The drought situation in Australia does not bode well for world food prices. When you are praying for rain, it might be a good idea to throw in a prayer for the drought in Australia as well.

Australia food-bowl drought worsens, rains spare wheat

By Rob Taylor
CANBERRA (Reuters) - The prolonged drought in Australia's Murray-Darling river system is worsening and the country's main food bowl may forever be changed by accelerating climate warming, government officials said on Thursday.

Despite good autumn rains, June inflows into the river basin were...(complete article here).

India's Agriculture Investment Environment

The USDA's Economic Research Service has released a new economic information bulletin on the agricultural investment environment in India. Infrastructure and effective market mechanisms continue to be weaknesses in the Indian agricultural economy contributing to their inability to feed themselves in spite of tremendous potential.


The Environment for Agricultural and Agribusiness Investment in India