November/December

From GMOs to regenerative agriculture: a scientist’s journey

From GMOs to regenerative agriculture: a scientist’s journey Advancing Eco Agriculture’s new chief science officer Laura Kavanaugh sees regenerative agriculture as a better long-term solution than the “very narrow approach” of GMOs It’s not often that a scientist will transition from the narrow-focused science of genetically modified crops to the natural systems approach of regenerative […]

As consumers flock to organic foods, lawmakers urge more federal grants for farmers

Supporters eye uncertain farm bill as a vehicle for measure By Samantha Dietel U.S. lawmakers are pushing a bill that would boost support for organic farmers amid rising demand for their products. U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin and Angus King of Maine, alongside U.S. Representatives Chellie Pingree of Maine and Annie Kuster of New […]

Organic industry stakeholders express optimism, skepticism about fraud prevention rule

Stakeholders in the organic industry are expressing both optimism and skepticism about the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE) rule, which aims to stop fraudulent practices in the organic food market. “Nobody knows how big the fraud is” Gerald Herrmann, CEO of Germany-based Organic Services, GmbH, calls SOE a “game changer.” He gives […]

Common Ground film: converting to regenerative agriculture “is a matter of life or death”

Regenerative agriculture is urgently needed to save the world’s soils, restore ecosystems, mitigate climate change, and produce more nutrient-dense foods—and it’s profitable for farmers. That is a key message of the new documentary, Common Ground, directed and produced by filmmakers Josh and Rebecca Tickell and winner of the Tribeca Film Festival Human/Nature award. The film, […]

Bayer loses three Roundup cancer lawsuits, ordered to pay more than $500 million to plaintiffs

Juries in St. Louis, Philadelphia, and California have found Bayer liable in three lawsuits, ruling that the company must pay millions of dollars to three men who claim that their exposure to Bayer’s Roundup herbicide caused their cancers. Prior to the three plaintiff victories, Bayer had wone nine Roundup-cancer trials after losing the first three. […]