March/April

Regenerative farmers ditch GMO seeds in favor of non-GMO

They don’t need GMO traits and can build soil health, reduce inputs, increase biodiversity, and earn premium markets growing non-GMO Genetically modified corn and soybeans dominate U.S. agriculture with more than 90% of those crops planted with GMO varieties. But a growing number of farmers who use regenerative agriculture practices—such as no-till, cover crops, and […]

Minnesota company offers the first Regenerative Organic Certified^® vanilla extract

“To get big, we had to go small,” says Andy Kubiak, co-founder with wife Sara of the Vanilla Bean Project. From the small town of Lakeland, Minnesota (just over 1,600 population), the inspired couple is quickly growing a market for the most sustainable pure vanilla extract in the world. Last year the Vanilla Bean Project […]

Savanna Institute aims to make agroforestry the norm in the Midwest

Adding trees to farms can help increase farm income, help mitigate climate change, increase biodiversity, and protect water sources In Iowa, farms growing corn and soybeans dominate the state, but one farm in the southeast corner of the state stands out—literally. Red Fern Farm grows trees—chestnut, pawpaw, black walnut, persimmons, heart nut, and Asian pear. […]

Hardline U.S. stance ignores non-GMO corn opportunity for U.S. farmers

By Ken Roseboro and Timothy A. Wise U.S. commodity organizations have cheered on the U.S. government as it tries to get Mexico’s restrictions on genetically modified corn declared in violation of our trade agreement with Mexico and Canada, arguing that it cuts farmers’ export markets and sales revenues. But what if Mexico’s modest restrictions could […]