ENVIRONMENT

The Microbial Economy and Greenhouse Gas Mitigation

by
Wheat farm and surrounding wind farm highlight the macroscopic green economy as a reminder that, like wind energy, microbially rich farmland can help mitigate greenhouse gasses.

Microbial economies trade greenhouse gasses for food and energy.   By tapping into this system, we can increase agricultural profits.  This is because microbially driven agricultural systems require fewer costly chemicals to support. As carbon credit systems become more universal, it is reasonable to assume that farmers who operate to maintain healthy soil microbial communities will … Read more

Dryland Tree and Shrub Establishment

by
Image of the flower from a desert shrub, Apache Plume provides an example of a desert riparian plant that can be revegetated using hydrogels.

Dryland tree and shrub establishment can be tricky because young seedlings and transplants need to stay moist. In EPISODE 10  we look at simple strategies you can use to ensure your dryland plantings live, grow, and feed your soil.  These strategies protect biodiversity and help restore the environmental cornerstone of healthy food systems. Wondering if dryland … Read more

Why Keep Native Plants on Your Farm or Garden

by
Podcast describes Reasons for Native Plants

Reasons to include native plants are abundant. Listen to this week’s episode to learn why we include native plants on our farm.   Can you benefit from using natives in your farm or garden?   Description LINKS TO RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Medicinal Herb eBook and Newsletter Signup USDA Plants Database (Unaffiliated Public Website) ABOUT EPISODE … Read more

Understanding Food Webs

by
Image compares and contrasts food chains and food webs.

What exactly is a food web? Nearly a century ago, the ecologist Charles Elton introduced us to the concept of food chains –linear series of links that shows how food, which provides the environmental currency of nutrients and energy, moves through an ecosystem. No doubt you’ve seen illustrations of food chains.  These often begin with … Read more

Considering Nopales for Arid Land Specialty Crops

by

Nopales, or Prickly Pear cactus, include numerous species of the genus Opuntia which thrive in poor soils and arid lands. These cacti can be grown and harvested for their tunas, or fruit, and for their pads.  They thrive in deeper, well drained soils, and can tolerate pH levels as high as 7.8.   California researchers have investigated … Read more

Whitewashing Pesticide Hazards

by

Investigative Journalist Carey Gillam Explains Why Toxic Pesticides Permeate Food Systems Food safety regulations and labeling are promoted as a way to reassure the public that the food we purchase is safe.  But it it? In her new book, Whitewash: The Story of a Weed Killer, Cancer, and the Corruption of Science, Investigative Journalist Carey … Read more