The Organic & Non-GMO Report Newsletter

Philadelphia organic farm buying Nebraska farmland to convert to organic

Belltown Farms, a Philadelphia-based company, has emerged as the second-largest buyer of farmland in Nebraska, purchasing around 19,000 acres for $41 million between 2018 and 2022. Unlike many large corporate farm buyers, Belltown operates its farms directly and focuses on organic farming. Their Nebraska holdings, including a 9,000-acre organic farm near Holstein, produce a variety […]

USDA official: We are shutting the door on fraudulent organic imports

NOP’s Jennifer Tucker is confident organic fraud is being stopped, but organic grain supplier is skeptical In the wake of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Organic Program (NOP) recent warning to organic certifiers about possible fraudulent imports of organic soybeans and soybean meal from West Africa, an NOP official says her agency is “shutting […]

AI + synthetic biology: What could possibly go wrong?

By Kurt Cobb Science fiction films are replete with human space travelers visiting far-away planets that have atmospheres suitable for those humans to breathe. Thus, the bother of wearing a space suit or other protective gear is dispensed with, and the encounters with alien races, both hostile and friendly, can proceed without such cumbersome gear […]

Friend or foe? Environmental advocates eye Kennedy nomination warily

By Shannon Kelleher In the wake of last month’s announcement that President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to head the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), some leading environmental and public health advocates say they’ve found themselves in a “weird” position. On the one hand, Kennedy is a lifelong environmental […]

Himalayan Agroecology Initiative: Pioneering sustainable food systems in India, Bhutan, and Nepal

Agriculture in the Himalayas has received a boost with a multi-stakeholder initiative to fortify the resilience of farmers dealing with climate crisis impacts. Backed by global think tank World Future Council and IFOAM – Organics International (https://www.ifoam.bio), the Himalayan Agroecology Initiative (HAI) (https://www.ifoam.bio/himalayan-agroecology-initiative-pioneering-sustainable) will enhance biodiversity, favor sustainable agriculture practices, create strong value chains, and […]