Cornell University – As industrial-sized solar installations pop up throughout New York and New England states, residents fear the loss of agricultural land. One solution is simple: sheep. Cornell University associate professor, Todd Schmit is partnering with farmers, solar companies and the American Solar Grazing Association, a nonprofit trade group that connects solar companies with shepherds, to explore […]
By Sean Pratt Glacier FarmMedia staff Demand for organic food and beverages is booming in Canada, according to a newly released study. Sales topped $6.5 billion in 2020, a 33 percent increase over 2017 levels, according to a report published by the Canada Organic Trade Association (COTA). That was the last time the group published its […]
University of Göttingen – Is organic farming the only alternative to conventional agriculture to promote biodiversity in agricultural landscapes? An international research team led by the University of Göttingen questions this. According to the authors, a landscape mosaic of natural habitats and small-scale and diverse cultivated areas is the key to promoting biodiversity on a […]
University of Copenhagen/Faculty of Science – For quite some time, farmers and researchers have been focusing on how to bind carbon to soil. Doing so makes food crops more nutritious and increases yields. However, because carbon is converted into CO2 when it enters the atmosphere, there is a significant climate benefit to capturing carbon in […]
Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) – Pesticides safeguard agricultural yields by controlling harmful insects, fungi, and weeds. However, they also enter neighbouring streams and damage the aquatic communities, which are crucial for maintaining biodiversity, are part of the food web and support the self-purification of water. In a nationwide monitoring programme, a consortium of […]
New fungus strain could provide a chemical-free method to help honey bees Washington State University – A new fungus strain could provide a chemical-free method for eradicating mites that kill honey bees, according to a study published this month in Scientific Reports. A team led by Washington State University entomologists bred a strain of Metarhizium, […]
An Edmonton processor making a food-grade high-fibre sugar substitute from organic pea starch has picked up federal funding to speed its expansion in Alberta. Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) last month announced a federal interest-free loan worth about $2.94 million for BioNeutra North America. The investment, WD said, will allow the company “to acquire equipment […]
Teaming up with other growers can widen a customer base, create more convenience, and give new farmers a leg up By Geralyn Wichers Glacier FarmMedia staff Collaborating with other farmers to direct market food can show customers that they are part of a larger community, says one direct-market farmer. And, unlike organics or environment-friendly farming […]
Consumer desire to source local food a cash-cow for on-farm direct marketing businesses By Diana Martin Glacier FarmMedia staff Consumers took a more active role in sourcing locally produced protein when COVID-19 exposed challenges in the food supply chain. Mike Dougherty, along with his mom Suzy and brother Doug had been steadily growing their 50-acre […]
Sweden takes first, Denmark second and Norway lags at the bottom when it comes to how much organic food is served in canteens, kindergartens and other public sector workplaces across the three Nordic nations. University of Copenhagen-Faculty of Science – Sweden takes first, Denmark second and Norway lags at the bottom when it comes to […]
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