GMO Companies Are Dousing Hawaiian Island With Toxic Pesticides Paul Koberstein, Grist Koberstein writes: “The island of Kauai, Hawaii, has become Ground Zero in the intense domestic political battle over genetically modified crops. But the fight isn’t just about the merits or downsides of GMO technology. It’s also about regular old pesticides.” READ MORE

Texas ag chief to Chipotle: Australian beef isn’t exactly local By Rita Jane Gabbett on 6/17/2014 Texas Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples is asking Chipotle founder Steve Ells to sit down and have a conversation. The topic: why Chipotle is sourcing beef from 8,000 miles away in Australia rather than from the great state of Texas….

Foes try to de-fang meat-labeling law in USDA bill Foes hope to shorten the lifetime of the country-of-origin meat labeling law with help of the Agriculture Department funding bill pending in the House. They already have nonbinding "report language" that calls on USDA to suspend the labeling program if the United States loses a World…

Americans have never had so few options in deciding what company makes their meat BY ROBERTO A. FERDMAN June 11 at 1:41 PM Americans have never had this many options in the beef aisle. That’s certainly what the growing number of offerings lining supermarket shelves would seem to suggest. And yet, behind the carefully branded…

Grassley calls GIPSA rider in House bill ‘ill-advised’ By Ken Anderson The House and Senate are currently advancing their versions of the fiscal 2015 Ag Appropriations bills. Both bills are ready for floor debate in each chamber. The House bill contains a policy rider—known as the GIPSA rider—which opponents say would limit the rulemaking authority…

6/8/2014 9:17:00 AM High on the Hog: ‘Crazy’ LaGrange farmer services upscale restaurants By the numbers In 2013, Gunthorp Farmssold: 150,000 – chickens 3,000 – pigs 10,000-12,000 – turkeys and 12,000-15,000 ducks He distributes his products to approximately 150 restaurants.

Big Food owns Congress and this administration See following note from Mike Weaver. Mike is a contract poultry grower. As John Tyson is welcomed into the billionaires club, exploited poultry growers haven’t had a raise since the 1970’s. Hey everyone, Please use this link and send it to every grower you know to encourage them…

Big Food owns Congress and this administration See following note from Mike Weaver. Mike is a contract poultry grower. As John Tyson is welcomed into the billionaires club, exploited poultry growers haven’t had a raise since the 1970’s. Hey everyone, Please use this link and send it to every grower you know to encourage them…

Chicken from China? Your Seafood is Already Being Processed There By Nancy Huehnergarth and Bettina Siegel | March 4, 2014 Opinion Thanks to our Change.org petition (307,000-plus signatures and rising), millions of Americans have learned that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is about to allow U.S chickens to be sent to China for processing…

City Councilor Advances Urban Farming Agenda in Colorado Springs June 2, 2014 | Jenny Smiechowski County councilor Jill Gaebler. Photo courtesy of Jill Gaebler. When Colorado Springs passed an ordinance allowing residents to own small dairy goats within city limits, City Councilor Jill Gaebler knew it was an important step toward a more sustainable food…