Recently, half of my social media feed is Welsh farmers protesting their governments proposal for new environmental subsidies including the target of 10% tree coverage for farmland. The farmers argue that this is unreasonable and will jeopardise food production. The other half of my feed is people outraged that the target isnt more ambitious, given the scale of the climate crisis.

To me, the whole thing feels like a colossal failure of narrative. What the Welsh government is suggesting seems pretty reasonable All areas not suitable for trees will be removed from the calculations, and 10% tree coverage doesnt just mean solid blocks of woodland; it could be agroforestry, where trees are spaced out and integrated into productive farmland.

This is being presented as a black and white choice between trees or food, but thats simply not the case. Theres an old agricultural adage that warns against farming the last year that is, making decisions based on previous conditions rather than anticipating future challenges. On a larger scale, how do we mentally shift away from farming in the last century, and instead prepare to farm the next one? Adding trees to farms is an important way to maintain food production in the face of increasingly extreme weather events.

For some years now, organic veg box company Riverford has been planting trees into agroforestry systems on our own and suppliers farms. Yes, these trees sequester carbon but its also about building resilience into our landscape. For example, this year we planted 25% of one suppliers farm with walnut trees. Hopefully this will create an extra crop of nuts. However, their livestock should also benefit; trees can extend the grass-growing season, and reduce animals stress from exposure to heat, wind, and rain. In turn, this can help with things like milk yield and lamb survival rates.

One difficulty is deciding what to plant where. Many farmers arent used to working with trees, let alone trying to figure out what impact they might have in a field that rotates between veg, arable crops, and grazing animals. By funding the tree-planting, without penalising farmers if it fails, perhaps we have provided whats missing from the Welsh narrative: a safe opportunity to learn how to adapt to an unknown future, where the burden of risk isnt shouldered by farmers alone.

The rest is here:

Why is a 10% tree coverage target causing revolt? - Wicked Leeks

In a move to bolster organic vegetable production and research in Tanzania, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has announced a grant of $650,000. This funding is aimed at supporting smallholder farmers and enhancing food security in the East African nation. The initiative is part of the broader effort to promote sustainable agricultural practices and improve nutrition among the local population.

The grant will facilitate various activities, including the establishment of demonstration plots for organic vegetable cultivation, training for farmers on organic farming techniques, and the development of market linkages for organic produce. By focusing on organic agriculture, the project seeks to reduce environmental impact, increase farmers' income, and provide healthier food options for consumers.

Source: farmersreviewafrica.com

Photo source: Dreamstime.com

Continue reading here:

FAO awards $650,000 to enhance organic vegetable farming in Tanzania - FreshPlaza.com

Consumers and legislators in the EU are pushing for food production methods that neutralise carbon emissions. What impact will this have on food availability, costs, exports and imports? Lindi Botha asked Michal Wilde, director of Bionext in the Netherlands, a body that represents the organic food industry.

Do you foresee that food production in the Netherlands will decrease due to more stringent regulations from the Green Deal? Would it be a bad thing if it did? If we consume less meat and dairy products then it would be beneficial. Some 80% of our agricultural land is used to produce animal protein, of which most is feed for livestock.

This is not the most efficient way for us to get our protein and we are running into a lot of problems in the Netherlands as a result.

READ Get ready to profit from plant- and insect-based proteins

We have a huge problem where the soils are so full of nitrogen it is running off into the water systems. We are European champions in biodiversity loss and 99% of our water is polluted.

Although we are getting a lot of cheap food, the external effects are negative. We are all in agreement, including conventional farmers, that we need to change the way we grow and consume food.

The Green Deal stipulates that we need to reach a 50% reduction in pesticide use, and a 20% reduction in synthetic fertilisers by 2050. These are goals we are very happy about.

In the Netherlands, organic farmers make up 4% of the farming sector, and our goal is to get to 15% this year, and eventually 25% as per the Green Deals specifications. That leaves 75% of food production that can be farmed conventionally.

The whole transition to greener food production means that we need to rethink how we are producing food.

Not all the land on which we currently produce animal protein and feed for livestock can be transitioned to human food crops, but we need to be very critical of where we grow what.

Is it smart to be growing barley and oats to feed animals instead of making bread or other food for people? Importing soya from South America, where rainforests are being cut down, to feed our animals is not a smart way to produce food.

Consuming game meat from gazelles roaming the Karoo, on the other hand, has minimal environmental impact and would be a perfectly suitable protein source for South Africans.

Would the planned reduction of animal protein production in the European Union not lead to counter-balanced diets?

We should all be eating a more vegetarian and plant-based diet. Animal protein should be more of a luxury item that we eat a few times a week not every day in big quantities.

Some of the biggest problems we are seeing in the environment are as a result of animal farming. Animal husbandry is the largest emitter of emissions within the agriculture sector. Furthermore, we need to change our whole outlook on animals and how we treat them.

In 20 years time we are going to look back to the years we treated animals like we do today, considering what we know about what animals feel and their level of intelligence, and be appalled.

With regards to South Africa, Ive seen the portions of meat you eat its huge. As a human being, you dont need that amount of protein in one sitting. Ideally you should be having 100g of meat a few times a week, not every day.

If South Africans can just reduce the portions of meat they eat and include more salad it will already go a long way to greater sustainability.

In the Netherlands, this topic is front and centre and I realise that there are many more pressing issues in South Africa, but I would strongly advise South Africans to rethink their diets, especially those who can afford to do so.

Does organic farming not create more waste since there is more imperfect food being produced that has no market?

Organic is not just about not using pesticides to prevent damage to produce. Its about the whole approach to farming to work in harmony with nature. Its like a person that gets enough sleep, eats healthy and maintains overall health.

READ Making organic fruit farming work

The chances of you getting ill and being susceptible to viruses is less than if you spent your whole life in hospital on a food drip. We have seen that in farming systems where nature is in balance, plants are far healthier and more robust.

They can better withstand pests and diseases and so require far less chemical input. In organic livestock production, the veterinary costs are 50% less than conventionally farmed meat.

As a society we need to learn to accept a spot on an apple or avocado and not expect picture-perfect fruit if we want to reduce our waste.

Will organic farming make food more expensive? It will make food more valuable. Food is already expensive, but the full cost is not paid at the grocery store, but rather through the health system and taxation to be able to clean the water systems, invest in fighting climate change and mitigating its effects.

If we take into account what is causing climate change, like the production and use of synthetic fertilisers, we see the true cost of producing food, and then organic food, with its many benefits, does not seem that expensive at all.

We need to look at the value of food far more closely and ensure that those who cant afford healthy food can still have access to it.

But what needs to be addressed is people who dont want to pay 0,20 (R3,96) more for a kilogram of organic produce, but are flying around the world a few times a year to go on holiday, going to Starbucks for fancy takeaway cappuccinos.

This is the conversation I want to be having. Its not a black-and-white situation where people have the excuse that they cant afford to pay for organic food.

Then there is also the issue of food waste. We are throwing away one third of all the food we produce and this is an extremely bad situation.

When you dont have a big income and most of it needs to go to food then you dont throw any of it away.

But in the Netherlands, where food expenditure makes up 11% of household spending, throwing food away is done without much thought or concern.

The argument has been made that if the Netherlands decreased food production to meet climate goals, it would have no impact on food availability, only on the amount available for export. Do you think reducing exports is feasible?

There are two types of exports we are part of the EU and we export to our neighbours. I have no problem with that.

My problem is that rainforests in South America are being cut down to plant soya which we are then importing to feed our dairy cows, creating all the associated environmental problems in the Netherlands, and then exporting this milk as baby formula to China.

I would prefer that we rather take our expertise to China to set up factories there to produce formula for that market, using cow feed produced in that country.

READ Its time for SA to rethink its food security strategies

Then we dont have a problem that is created in South America and the Netherlands, all to feed Chinese babies.

The excuse of not wanting to reduce exports is often used by those who dont want to reform the agricultural system, because exports contribute to the countrys economy.

But we are not asking the farmers to stop producing food. We are asking them to switch to organic meat production, for example, which has 70% less nitrogen emissions and is better for animal welfare.

Organic farming does not pollute water systems, does not contribute to climate change and contributes to healthy soils. Those that are producing in organic systems should be getting higher prices so they can sustain production while protecting the environment.

But there needs to be political will for this to happen. Yes, there will be less milk if everyone switches to organic dairy farming, but if the farmer gets more per litre then it does not come with negative effects for the farmer.

If you look at the amount of cappuccinos people buy every day, if we were to switch to organic milk, which only costs 0,10 (R1,98) more per litre than conventional milk, it would reward the farmers and the environment, and the consumer would not be unnecessarily burdened.

So I am in discussion with the national trade authority in the Netherlands to get coffee outlets to switch to organic milk.

Some supermarkets here have announced they will only be selling organic potatoes. Some consumers say they want to be greener outside of the store, but when they enter, they somehow become a different person and then they dont want to pay for the greener option.

We cant expect much from consumers; instead we need to reduce their choice for buying non-green. Food companies are being accused of being part of the problem, so I expect that we will be seeing more food companies making procurement decisions like this in favour of the climate.

There are a lot of new innovations that will reduce methane emissions in livestock farming. Why is the focus then skewed towards reducing output?

This story is being held up by conventional farmers as an excuse not to change. Theyre saying, dont worry everyone, go back to sleep, technology will solve the problem.

But the problems are so big we need to take every avenue we can to bring down emissions.

If this technology really works, then great, but we still need to look at farming more sustainably.

should not happen is that we all go back to business as usual and then in 15 years time wake up again to the fact that we didnt do enough when we had the chance.

We cant just ignore the issue and trust the farmer to feed the right additives and employ the right technology to bring down emissions while not making any other changes to the way in which they are farming.

to say we will see any real progress if we dont address the core issue. Emissions are just less with organic farming, so why not just convert?

Change is difficult. There are all kinds of stages and challenges you face when you make drastic changes in your way of operating, and government needs to assist farmers in this transition in whatever way they can to make sure it happens.

The focus in Europe is on sustainability, whereas the focus in Africa is about availability and affordability. Climate emissions are of no concern to those struggling to feed themselves.

It is understandable that sustainability is not a big focus in Africa. When you look at Maslows Hierarchy of Needs, food availability is the most important priority; focusing on environmental issues would be the least important and only given attention when all the other needs are met.

The EU has done a lot to mess up the world socially, environmentally so we have a lot to account for. Its our responsibility to fix the problems.

READ The quest for healthy food

Many farmers in Africa are already part of the solution because they are farming in harmony with nature in extensive systems. To expect them to pay for climate change is unfair.

I agree that there is an arrogance in the West that we have now realised our mistakes and are preaching to everyone, telling them to get on board with the changes that need to be made to lower carbon emissions.

India has the worlds fastest-growing population, and although they are predominantly vegetarian, there is a shift towards meat consumption. To tell them now that they should not be eating meat to save the planet is pretty arrogant.

Yes, it would make a huge difference to emissions if China and India were not to increase meat consumption, but who are we to dictate, after we have been enjoying meat for all these years?

The discussion around organic farming can be polarising. What do you think is key to advancing this cause?

Collaboration between all stakeholders in the food industry is needed to realise our goals. The organic sector cant operate independently from the conventional farming sector.

If we dont collaborate with input suppliers, even those in the chemical industry, we will struggle to transform our food industry.

Farmer organisations, supermarkets, NGOs, government and the private sector need to work together to ensure all the supporting links in the chain are there.

The consumer side also needs to be involved because they need to realise that perfect food is harming the planet.

Produce comes in all shapes and sizes, and expecting everything to conform to packaging or our idea of what it must look like is not helpful.

In the Netherlands we talk about verbinding this means we bring people together from all sectors within the industry to the table.

It is no use being in a polarised position where all we do is say how bad conventional farming is, and how everyone should switch to organic. We need to be involved in mainstream discussions, otherwise organic will never become mainstream.

Email Michal Wilde at [emailprotected].

The rest is here:

Is organic farming the solution to fight food insecurity? - Farmer's Weekly SA

This current rate of self-reported work-related stress, depression or anxiety is higher than the pre-pandemic level. In addition, an estimated 35.2 million working days were lost in 2022/23 due to self-reported work-related ill health or injury.

With everything that has been thrown at us in the last twelve months with worries about the cost of living, international unrest and political uncertainty its perhaps no surprise that rates are so high.

Many people are reluctant to resort to prescribed drugs to deal with the problem and look instead to CBD Oil as a possible natural way to deal with stress, along with other conditions.

Researchers think CBD may change the way the brains receptors respond to serotonin, a chemical linked to mental health. One study found that CBD helped people with social anxiety give a speech while other early studies done with animals have shown that CBD could relieve anxiety by:

decreasing physiological effects of anxiety, such as an increased heart rate

improving symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

inducing sleep in cases of insomnia

Meanwhile, a 2011 study working with sufferers of general Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) showed that participants who received a dose of CBD experienced overall reduced anxiety levels compared with those who were given a placebo.

It seems the benefits of CBD and CBD Oils is more than mere hearsay. However, not all CBD Oils are equal and heres why.

The Hemp or Cannabis plant contains many compounds of which cannabidiol (CBD) is just one as is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the part of the plant which is psychoactive and creates the high associated with cannabis or marijuana. The THC must largely be removed from all CBD products sold legally in the UK with a maximum of 0.2% being permitted. Those products which retain 0.2% of THC are called Full Spectrum.

Honey Heaven produces a range of Organic CBD oil products which mix full spectrum CBD oil with CBD distillate, (the purest form of CBD), to make the products extra strong. Full spectrum CBD and distillate retain many other natural cannabinoid compounds found in the Hemp plant. Together these interact with the bodys endocannabinoid system which helps regulate psychological and physiological functions including mood, appetite, sleep, and even pain. This interaction process is known as the entourage effect and imparts maximum health benefits to users.

Honey Heavens CBD products are made in the UK from the highest-quality hemp that is organically and ethically grown by experienced and licensed farmers on outdoor farms in Switzerland. Their CBD range includes drops, sprays, honey and teas to be taken orally and balms and massage oils to be applied to the skin at particular points of pain and absorbed into the bloodstream. All the products (except the CBD honey) are vegan, and all are free from artificial colouring, preservatives, flavourings or additives.

Best to alleviate stress and anxiety are:

Honey Heaven Full Spectrum CBD Extract 10ml boosted with pure CBD Distillate (10%) in nine strengths starting from 1000mg at 45:

Honey Heavens CBD oils have a herbal taste that gets stronger with a higher percentage of concentration. The oil can be added to smoothies or foods that are not heated to find the taste that best suits you, but if you find yourself struggling to sleep, or are overly stressed, the under-tongue administration is the fastest way to absorb CBD oil.

Simply place 1-2 drops under the tongue twice daily. Keep the oil in the mouth for 1 minute for better absorption and drink water afterwards to help with the taste.

Organic Mushrooms in Honey 300g RRP 22

Available from http://www.honeyheaven.co.uk or in store or online at Selfridges

Made by blending Organic Hungarian Acacia Honey with an incredible seven different medicinal mushrooms (Reishi, Chaga, Shitake, Maitake, Lions mane, Cordyceps, Tremella), this unique honey is a perfect topping on toast or stirred into herbal tea, hot chocolate or decaffeinated coffee for a good nights sleep. This is because medicinal mushrooms are adaptogens - herbs, roots and other plant substances (like mushrooms) - that help our bodies manage stress and restore balance after a stressful situation.

Heres how. Cortisol is the hormone our bodies release at times of stress. It can be very helpful for example, alerting us to threats and dangers around us but it can also cause problems if it is released inappropriately. Adaptogens help regulate the release of cortisol and prevent it from doing long-term damage.

However, cortisol is also deeply connected to our circadian rhythm. This is our body clock, which tells us when to sleep and when to feel awake. Usually, we have a main release of cortisol in the morning, which gradually diminishes throughout the day. By nighttime, we should be feeling calm, collected and ready for sleep.

Unfortunately, many things in modern life can throw our circadian rhythms off, including blue light from screens, toxins from our food, other types of artificial light, irregular working schedules, and so on. All of these things, as well as other types of stress, interfere with how cortisol is released over the course of the day.

This is where adaptogens can help. Not only do they potentially help balance cortisol within our bodies they can also help us regain an overall equilibrium. That means that we gradually return to our natural rhythms. In other words, when youre feeling sluggish and unmotivated, adaptogens can help to stimulate you, whereas if youre feeling anxious and alert, they help you to feel calmer and can help you sleep. Cue a spoonful of Mushrooms in Honey!

Organic CBD Honey RRP 25

Although experts dont know exactly why CBD helps with stress, research has suggested that it can help manage pain, anxiety, and insomnia. For anyone who finds the earthy taste of CBD oil hard to swallow, however, Honey Heavens delicious Organic CBD Honey is the answer.

It can be used in the same way as any honey spread on toast, added to drinks, drizzled over porridge, but because the oil lends a delicious nutty flavour to the naturally sweet honey its also ideal in baking or salad dressings.

Organic Black Seed & CBD Honey RRP 30

Another innovative combination from Honey Heaven blends Organic Black Seed Oil and CBD Oil with sweet Acacia honey from Hungary.

This honey shares all the benefits of CBD with the added bonus of Black Seed from the Nigella Sativa plant. Revered for centuries as a natural remedy, Black Seed contains thymoquinone, an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound that has been used in Islamic and traditional medicine for over 2000 years - indeed in a saying of the Prophet Muhammad in the black seed is a cure for every illness except death (Sahih Al-Bukhari).

More recently research has found that Black Seed significantly alleviates stress and improves sleep quality in human volunteers.

A spoonful of Black Seed & CBD infused honey before bed anyone?

Vegan, organic CBD Gummy Bears from Honey Heaven 25 per pot

Made with natural ingredients and bursting with the juicy fruit flavours of Strawberry, Orange, Pineapple, Lemon, Blackberry and Apple, they offer a delicious mix of sweet and sour; just perfect for those who find the classic earthy taste of CBD a little hard to swallow. In fact, they taste so good they should be renamed Yummy Bears!

These gummy bears are one of the strongest on the UK market with 20mg of CBD in each bear.

Honey Heaven CBD Gummy Bears come in individual recyclable PET jars that are easy to slip in your pocket or bag and contain 25 bears per pot. But although theyre tasty its recommended no more than two gummy CBD bears a day should be taken (200mg CBD per day should not be exceeded).

Get your paws on some now!

Were all a little anxious at the minute, and with good reason. To help ease your stress in a natural way, try one of Honey Heavens premium Organic products. Visit http://www.honeyheaven.co.uk to view the full range.

View post:

Ease away stress with organic CBD products from Honey Heaven - Northumberland Gazette

Business

-Vasant Shah

New Delhi, March 13: Cooperation Minister Amit Shah highlighted the significance of promoting organic farming to preserve soil health and announced the government's ambitious goal of increasing organic food exports tenfold to Rs 70,000 crore in the coming years. Shah made these remarks while inaugurating the new office building of three national-level multi-state cooperative societies at the World Trade Centre in Nauroji Nagar.

The three societies inaugurated by Shah include Bhartiya Beej Sahakari Samiti Ltd (BBSSL), National Cooperative Organics Ltd (NCOL), and National Cooperative Export Ltd (NCEL). These societies aim to address gaps in organic products, seed conservation and enhancement, and exports, contributing to the resolution of various challenges in Indian agriculture and boosting farmers' income through increased exports of farm products, including organic foods.

Shah expressed concern over India's relatively small share of the global agricultural produce market, which stands at USD 45 billion out of a total market worth USD 2,155 billion. He emphasized the government's target of reaching USD 115 billion by 2030. Recognizing the deterioration of soil health due to chemical fertilizer use, Shah stressed the importance of encouraging farmers to adopt organic farming practices.

To support organic farming, Shah announced the establishment of a laboratory in every district over the next five years to certify organic farms and products. He highlighted NCOL's role in promoting organic farming and introducing organic products under the Bharat brand. Shah expressed confidence that Bharat Organics will capture over 50% of the domestic organic market by 2030.

Shah acknowledged that India's organic exports currently stand at Rs 7,000 crore, compared to the global organic food market worth Rs 10 lakh crore. He set an ambitious target of increasing organic exports to Rs 70,000 crore, emphasizing the potential for growth in this sector. NCOL will play a crucial role in the entire chain of organic products, including collection, certification, testing, standardization, procurement, storage, processing, branding, labeling, packaging, and export. It will also serve as a guide for many cooperatives.

For BBSSL, the seed society, Shah set a target of Rs 10,000 crore turnover in the next five years. He also announced a target of increasing the turnover of NCEL, the export cooperative society, to Rs 1 lakh crore annually over the next five years. These cooperative societies aim to uplift the lives of individuals associated with agriculture and related activities, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of "Sahakar se Samriddhi" (Prosperity through Cooperation).

The three cooperative societies were established with the approval of the government and registered under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002. Cooperative societies at various levels, from district to state to national, can become members if they are interested in the activities specified for each society.

NCEL was formed to promote exports from the cooperative sector, with member promoters including Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd (GCMMF), Indian Farmers Fertilizer Cooperative Ltd (IFFCO), Krishak Bharati Cooperative Ltd (KRIBHCO), National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation (NAFED), and National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC). NCEL will undertake direct export of goods and services of cooperatives and related entities.

NCOL was established to harness the potential of organic products and create a healthy agriculture ecosystem. It serves as an umbrella organization for the aggregation, procurement, certification, testing, branding, and marketing of organic products in the cooperative sector. NCOL is promoted by NAFED, National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), NCDC, GCMMF, and National Cooperative Consumers' Federation (NCCF). NCOL will support the increased production of organic products and facilitate the marketing of authentic and certified organic products by cooperatives and related entities.

BBSSL focuses on advanced and traditional seed research and production, handling their processing and marketing through the cooperative sector. Promoted by IFFCO, KRIBHCO, NAFED, NDDB, and NCDC, BBSSL aims to enhance the production of quality seeds in India, reducing reliance on imported seeds. The society's efforts will contribute to increased agricultural production and improved income for seed-producing farmers.

The three societies will work together to uplift the lives of individuals involved in agriculture and related activities. They will procure agricultural produce and seeds from farmers via Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS), strengthening PACS and ensuring that farmers receive maximum value for their produce. The societies will operate with the objective of ensuring that profits on the net surplus go directly to farmers' accounts, minimizing leakages in the process.

For investment related articles, business news and mutual fund advise

Allow Notifications

You have already subscribed

The rest is here:

Amit Shah Promotes Organic Farming, Sets Target to Boost Organic Food Exports - Goodreturns

tcpalm.com wants to ensure the best experience for all of our readers, so we built our site to take advantage of the latest technology, making it faster and easier to use.

Unfortunately, your browser is not supported. Please download one of these browsers for the best experience on tcpalm.com

Go here to see the original:

Healthy food: Restaurants with organic, vegan, vegetarian food to kick off New Year right - TCPalm

This time, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture executed a duly issued search warrant on Amos Miller and Millers Organic Farm.The states responsibility was to determine if raw eggnog and other unpasteurized, raw dairy products produced by Miller were responsible for positive Shiga toxin-producing E. Coli tests in Michigan and New York, causing human illnesses.

It is against federal law to sell raw milk and raw dairy products across state lines.

Pennsylvania State Police provided security for the state agricultural officials who conducted the Jan. 4 search.

Last year, Millers attorney, Robert Barnes, concluded federal litigation on behalf of his client by signing off on a Third Consent Decree that provided his cooperation going forward.

That order, which remains in effect, precludes Miller from conducting livestock/poultry slaughter and processing intended for sale, resale, offer for sale, transportation, donation, or distribution to his customers or elsewhere. Miller may market and sell amenable meats and poultry from third-party, USDA-inspected establishments.

In the Third Consent Decree, Miller agreed that USDAs Food Safety and Inspection Service has access to all his properties. The federal litigation over meat inspection and food safety, dated back to 2016 and concluded in 2023 with the Consent Decree remaining in effect.

When the state officials arrived at Millers Organic Farm, located at Bird-in-Hand, PA, the incident was first picked up by The Lancaster Patriot, an area website and Facebook page not high on food safety regulations.

While the search warrant was executed by the book, from all reports, the matter was stirring up social media.With Miller opting not to talk and state officials saying little, attorney Barnes moved into the space with a statement saying: Today, the Department of Agriculture of the State of Pennsylvania suddenly came, without notice, raided Amos farm, and detained everything Amos had in the farms freezer.

They did so in a lawless manner, without appropriate authority, in violation of their own rules and regulations, despite never objecting to the prior resolutions reached with the federal government, and despite a complete failure by the state to even reach out to Amos known counsel, Robert Barnes.

The states rules require advance notice, reasonable time frames for inspections, and a showing of credentials, none of which occurred here. Instead, the state unlawfully obtained a search warrant based on materially false statements in an affidavit by a high-ranking state official in an agency with a known grievance against independent farmers like Amos, and, after the raid and finding no evidence of wrongdoing, then illegally ordered detained every item of food in one of Amos Millers coolers, including buffalo meat not even subject to federal regulation.

The detention order is patently illegal under Pennsylvania law. Despite the constant harassment, Amos will continue to do all he legally can to provide the food his members deeply need. Amos thanks you for your continued support at this critical time for food freedom in America.

(To sign up for a free subscription to Food Safety News, click here.)

View original post here:

Pennsylvania ag officials search Miller Organic Farm for the source of Shiga-toxins - Food Safety News

Matthews believes regenerative farming is the next big thing and over the next decade, sales of regeneratively produced food will eclipse organic sales. As such, hes calling on all food producers to move to a regenerative sourcing model now to capitalise on this exciting opportunity.

Organic farming was a term coined in 1940, describing the rising movement of food produced without chemical fertilisers, pesticides or antibiotics. The organic movement grew in response to the industrialisation of British agriculture that occurred in the immediate post-war years. It is now a worldwide industry but, more than 80 years on, it remains a relatively niche market, thanks to its high production costs and low levels of productivity.

Regenerative farming, on the other hand, is the relatively new kid on the block.

Although many of its practices hark back to the pre-industrialisation era of farming, it has only been a recognised term in the past 40 years and gained real interest in the past few decades.

Regenerative Agriculture (RA) is a term that refers to a farming model of growing food that protects and improves soil health, biodiversity, water retention and quality. RA farmers are committed to using a host of planet-friendly practices, including reducing soil disturbance, implementing wide crop diversity, integrating livestock, maintaining living routes and protecting the soil surface.

While organically farmed products may be produced using RA methods and vice versa, this is not always the case as the focus for each is different. For organic farming, its all about growing a product without synthetic inputs but for regenerative farming, its all about improving the land where the product is grown.

Both methods have their merits, however, Matthews believes RA products have a key advantage that looks set to win them a bigger share of the market.

That differentiator is yield. RA can produce higher yields than organic farming because its methods improve the soil quality and fertility. This, in turn, supports more productive and resilient crops.

A higher yield for the farmer means lower costs for the producer who can pass these on to the consumer. Regeneratively farmed products can therefore be sold at a price more comparative to non-organic products than organic products, relieving, to a considerable degree, the financial barriers that have prevented mass adoption of the latter.

Take, for instance, Matthews Cotswold Flours recently launched All Purpose Regenerative White Flour, a UK first.

Its a flour that we have produced using wholly regeneratively farmed grains and yet we are able to sell it at a competitive price that makes it affordable for all, explained Matthews.

Unlike organic products that unfortunately come at a premium, the higher yields of regeneratively farmed grain means that a much wider range of consumers can afford to support these farming practices that make a real difference to our planet.

He added, We believe it is the duty of all food producers to move to a regenerative sourcing model.

For years, British farmers have been incorporating these practices and making a real tangible change to the landscape. It is now the turn of food producers to play their part and get these incredible products into peoples homes.

Trading grain and milling flour in the heart of the Cotswolds since the 1800s, Matthews Cotswold Flour believes its local partnerships, traditional stoneground milling methods and premium grains make for better baking. The millers portfolio boasts a range of over 100 varieties and flour, designed for both professional and home bakers.

Read more here:

Regeneratively farmed products predicted to eclipse organic food sales - BakeryAndSnacks.com

Craft beer, one of the worlds oldest alcoholic drinks, has seen its fair share of changes. As it booms in the U.S., another trend bubbled to the surface sustainability. Brewers have already adopted many environmentally-friendly practices, yet theyve barely tapped into the rapidly growing organic beer market. Could this be a promising new direction for the industry?

Despite the limited current market, sales of organic beer in the U.S. increased 10 times since the early 2000s. Some craft breweries have been organic for decades, and big beer brands jumped on the bandwagon a few years ago with releases such asMichelobs Ultra Pure Gold and line of hard seltzers.

Beer remains one of the most popular drinks in the U.S., exceeded only by water, coffee and soft drinks. Catering to environmentally conscious consumers could unlock an untapped potential for the craft beer market, particularly in the organic sector.

Unless youve passed through life assiduously avoiding frat parties, dive bars and backyard barbecues, you know what beer is. But what exactly is organic beer?

To use an organic ingredient means it's cultivated without the use of inorganic fertilizers or pesticides, said John Gonzales, founder of Leashless Brewing, an organic craft brewery in Southern California. There's no genetically modified organisms involved in the manufacturing of that raw material. There's no human sludge or no ionization.

A U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) organic certification for a brewery or farm has to be renewed every year, and getting it in the first place can be a complex, multiple-step process. Further, USDA organic labels come in different varieties. A 100 percent organic label is the strictest designation, meaning all ingredients are organic. However, a beer simply labeled as organic means 95 percent of the ingredients are organic, whereas made with organic ingredients means at least 70 percent of the beers ingredients are organic.

That level of authenticity when you see that USDA organic logo, you know 100 percent it's legit, Gonzales said. There's no way to get around it. We go through audits annually that look at what we produce and what ingredients we're using There's an audit trail so that they could trace a bag of our grains all the way to the middle man and the actual grower.

Despite promising growth in the U.S. organic food market, organic beer is just a drop in the mammoth beer production bucket. Less than 1 percent of beer is currently certified as organic. The reasons why are as varied as IPA styles at a hipster bar.

First of all, the availability of beers ingredients can be a roadblock. The most commonly used grain for beer is barley. However, as of 2016, less than 3 percent of U.S.-grown barley is organic. Limited markets and non-premium grain prices are the main reasons farmers dont grow more of it, according to a survey from Oregon State University.

Then theres hops, an essential ingredient for beers flavor and stability. Hops are difficult to grow organically because theyre susceptible to disease, fungal infection and insects. Weeds also compete with them for water and nutrients, which they need in large quantities. Normally, this would be taken care of with pesticides and synthetic fertilizers, so switching to organic production remains challenging.

However, long-standing relationships can be advantageous in obtaining organic ingredients. For instance, the Peak Organic Brewing Company has connected with multiple local farms since it opened in 2007.

One of our favorite things is developing those relationships with growers, seeing where what we are using is grown, how it's made, and who's making it, said Jon Cadoux, the brewerys founder. But for sure that's time-consuming. That could be a barrier to entry for somebody new.

In addition to supply constraints, the higher costs involved may deter some brewers. Organic ingredients are more expensive, and certification by the USDA costs anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars.

High prices could also deter consumers. A while ago, there was such a big price premium on everything organic that people were scared away, Cadoux said. But I think that has reduced a lot lately.

Cleaning up the process of changing barley to beer is difficult, but its worth it. The environmental impact of one of our most cherished beverages is sobering.

To begin with, growing barley and hops generally requiresherbicides, insecticides and fungicides. These pesticides contaminate the soil, water and vegetation, and they can be toxic to insects, fish and birds. Some of these pesticides even persist into beer, although normally in reduced quantities.

In addition, it takes copious amounts of energy and water to brew beer. The early stages of beer involve boiling, which is energy-intensive, while refrigeration and packaging also require fuel. Breweries could pay upward of $55,000 annually for energy, according to one estimate.

Then theres water. Used at almost every stage of the process, brewing a pint of beer requires four to 10 pints of water. And that same pint generates three to 10 times the amount of wastewater. While nontoxic, this water has organic compounds and can pollute freshwater if untreated.

Brewing also produces solid waste in the form of spent grain, yeast, hops and other products. However, the spent grain and yeast can be used for compost, livestock feed or products like sweeteners.

Finally, brewing emits greenhouse gases. Estimates for a liter of beer (equal to almost three 12-ounce bottles) are modest equivalent to driving two to five miles in a gasoline-fueled vehicle. However, given the average American over the age of 21 drinks around 107 liters of beer per year, this can quickly add up. The largest contributor to beers carbon footprint comes from the packaging, followed by the production of the raw materials, typically barley.

In spite of the challenges, many brewers are grabbing the beer by the horns and tackling sustainability head on. For instance, breweries are using biodegradable four- and six-pack rings and fiber-based, recyclable bottles. Others are capturing, cleaning and reusing wastewater, using solar power, and even planting trees and restoring seagrass meadows.

Going organic also has numerous advantages. Organic [agriculture] uses 30 percent less water than conventional [agriculture], said Gonzales of Leashless Brewing. It uses around 40 percent less energy and sequesters about 40 percent more carbon into the soil just through its practices. When we make and sell a pint of organic beer, we know that we have done the best we can to make sure that we are keeping the world as clean and functional as possible.

Additionally, breweries' support of organic farmers reduces pesticide use and its adverse impacts on the environment. Organic farming also protects agricultural workers against the harmful effects of pesticide exposure, including respiratory illness, arthritis, cancer, birth defects, infertility, and skin, liver, kidney and neurological issues.

I always thought ingredients that are locally sourced, sustainably, taste better, added Cadoux of Peak Organic Brewing Company. It's kind of always felt like a win, win. If something tastes better and is also better from a sustainability standpoint, why not do that?

Finally, theres the business angle of organic brewing. While the market share for organic beer is growing steadily, craft beers overall share is decreasing, Gonzales said.

When we go to the buyers and say, 'Hey, we're local, we have an award-winning beer, and we're also organic,' we just added several value-added propositions to a relatively fairly-priced product, Gonzales said. So, there's a differentiation tactic to being organic.

The organic brewing world may be small at the moment, but the outlook is optimistic.

We are where the organic wine world was in the late '80s, early '90s, Gonzales said. So, yes, we're definitely growing I think it's a longer road for some of us. But certainly, I think we have a better moat than most people and we have a better story to tell. And yes, people do increasingly look for things that are healthier for them.

The organic food market in the U.S. is predicted to grow by nearly 9 percent annually until 2027, outpacing the growth of the overall food market. With U.S. beer sales totaling nearly $115 billion in 2022, theres ample shelf space for organic beer.

We make beer that we know is good for the environment, Gonzales said. And we thought if we can, we should use a brewery to help change people's habits one pint of beer at a time.

Read more from the original source:

Sustainability on Tap: Exploring the Organic Beer Market - TriplePundit

DNA study on identical twins showcases food quality, sourcing is vital to healthy outcomes

Sacramento, CA, Jan. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Trifecta, a Greater Sacramento Economic Council board member, and the nations largest organically sourced meal delivery service, is making waves on Netflix with a captivating documentary that has soared to the number three trending spot globally. The documentary, You Are What You Eat: A Twin Experiment sheds light on the critical importance of mindful eating and the impact of diet on our bodies.

Produced by Academy Award-winning Director Luis Psihoyos, the series delves into a groundbreaking diet study conducted by Stanford Professor Dr. Christopher Gardner featured in JAMA. Studying nutrition can be challenging due to the variations in DNA and lifestyles. To address this, Stanford University conducted a study using identical twins. The research involved twins following different diets: one consumed an omnivorous diet, while the other adopted a vegan diet. The study lasted eight weeks with Trifecta supplying the food for the first four weeks for both groups. It was during these initial four weeks that the most significant positive outcomes were observed.

We are honored to be part of this impactful JAMA study and Netflix DocuSeries showcasing the impact our food has on the environment and our health, Greg Connolly, Co-Founder and CEO of Trifecta said. Starting a healthy food business in the farm-to-fork capital of the world, Sacramento was a huge benefit to our success. This documentary was on more than human health outcomes though, it was about sourcing food ethically and sustainably, so we can innovate and improve the nations food supply chain.

"The authors found the most improvement over the first four weeks of the diet change. The participants with a vegan diet had significantly lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels, insulin and body weight all of which are associated with improved cardiovascular health" Emily Moskal, Science Writer at Stanford.

Story continues

The Greater Sacramento region supporting entrepreneurship in the food space is imperative for economic development. Trifectas success is a testament to the thriving entrepreneurial spirit in our state capital, Barry Broome, President and CEO of the Greater Sacramento Economic Council said. We have seen immense growth in our capital markets with $12B over five years in investments.

Professor Christopher Gardner, renowned for his work in nutritional research acknowledged the importance of using Trifectas healthy meal options that is locally sourced food.

Trifectas involvement in our study was pivotal, Garder said. Their commitment to quality organic meals played a crucial role in unraveling the dietary effects on health.

Academy Award-winning Director Luis Psihoyos and Executive Director of the Oceanic Preservation Society (OPS) praised Trifectas contribution.

In showcasing the Stanford study, Trifecta has become a symbol of responsible and health-conscious nutrition, which is critical and a main focal point in this documentary."

As Trifecta continues to redefine the meal delivery landscape, this documentary serves as a powerful reminder of the impact our food choices have on our well-being and the environment.

About Trifecta

Trifecta is the nation's largest organic meal delivery service founded with a bold mission dedicated to health, by delivering fresh, healthy meals directly to your door. We began Trifecta because we believe there are three fundamental areas of healthmind, body, and social. These areas are interdependent, meaning you cannot thrive in one area without thriving in the others.

Trifecta eliminates shopping, cooking, and cleaning by delivering fully cooked meals weekly and direct to customers' doors in all 50 states. Trifecta's food is some of the highest quality in the industry, using high quality organically sourced and grass-fed ingredients. We offer meals in six categories to meet everyone's needs, including Keto, Paleo, Vegan, Vegetarian, Clean Eating, Classic Meal, and a Meal Prep section, so you can enjoy delicious, healthy meals at home, in the office, or on the run.

Learn more about Trifecta byvisitingtrifectanutrition.comand following along onFacebook,Twitter, andInstagram.

About the Greater Sacramento Economic Council

The Greater Sacramento Economic Council is the catalyst for innovative growth strategies in the Capital Region of California. The organization spearheads community-led direction to retain, attract, grow and scale tradable sectors, develop advanced industries and create jobs and investment throughout a six-county region. Greater Sacramento represents a collaboration between local and state governments, market leaders, influencers and stakeholders, with the sole mission of driving inclusive economic growth. The Greater Sacramento region was founded on discovery, built on leadership and fueled by innovation.

Read more from the original source:

Trifecta: A Leading Force in Organic Meal Delivery, Takes Center Stage in Netflix Documentary - Yahoo Finance