Category: Social Implications in Agriculture

Social Implications in Agriculture, well-being, What is Organic

Life Lessons: Growing Food in an Iowa Backyard

Melody Meyer
I was digging it early on!
Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash

I recently interviewed my sister for an oral history project. She evoked images of the place we grew up next to our German grandparents. She proclaimed, “Those two small houses side by side, they were so close to the street!”

The houses (one purchased from the Sears and Roebuck catalog) were close to the street for a reason – it afforded us a large backyard of fertile soil – once a flood plain of the Cedar River.

From this patch of land, we ate well.

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Social Implications in Agriculture, well-being, What is Organic

There is no Going Back – How the Pandemic is Reshaping and Regenerating Organic Events

Melody Meyer

The word “Regenerative” is a theme I shall ruminate on for a few blogs to drive the idea home.

The definition of Regeneration itself means to EVOLVE capacity – not to do better or follow certain rules. It means to make you, your business – your life – your friends – more able to do what you, they, or it seeks to do to express your essence.

It’s evident now that COVID has socially disrupted us. But it has forced us to reimagine new ways of doing things, bringing stakeholders together, expanding and Regenerating our belief systems.  

Organic conferences and events will be virtual for some time, and supporting them is crucial now more than ever. These virtual events provide the opportunity to reach more people and have a greater impact ever before! That’s Regenerative Thinking! 

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Environment, Social Implications in Agriculture, well-being, What is Organic

Regeneration Living: Disrupting Our Paradigms in 2021

Melody Meyer
Robert Lukeman on Unsplash

The word “Regenerative” gets heaved and hoed around like the words sustainable, mindfulness, and groovy. Most of you don’t remember the latter.

At the behest of a trusted colleague, I signed up for a Regenerative Business Summit. It required six hours of my time. I winced at the nomenclature; aren’t there enough regenerative things already?

It was led by an elder who believed in something other than cause and effect. Carol Sanford really rocked my world of understanding.

She believes that most people operate under a worldview that is causing a major shortfall for humans, our economies, societies, and our living Earth.

Carol loves to disrupt things – especially the way we think.

She speculates that the way we are working may be accelerating the wrong path. Even though we think it’s a noble one. We may be ignoring new possibilities – stuck in our own feedback loop. 

What happened 20 years ago may not be the right solution for today.

What is a Regenerative Life?

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Organic Policy and Regulations, Social Implications in Agriculture, What is Organic

Biden-Harris Agenda Offers Organic Opportunities, But I’ve Got Georgia on My Mind

Melody Meyer
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

You haven’t heard from me lately because, quite frankly, I’ve had post-election PTSD – also known as electile disfunction.

With that over, I decided to move forward and think about the future.

I attended the 2020 Post Election Outlook Webinar Hosted by the only Political Action Campaign for Organic – Organic PAC. I was eager to understand what opportunities the incoming Administration would offer, what synergies could help advance our organic agenda.

It turns out the Biden-Harris plan for Agriculture includes priorities that Organic Agriculture can enhance and help build a better plan for our food system.  

We are coming out of four years of policy coming strictly out of the White House – USDA agencies had little or no influence. That will change with the new Administration.  

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Environment, Organic Policy and Regulations, Social Implications in Agriculture, well-being, What is Organic

Stay Safe, Stay Sane, Stay Strong – We May be in for a Wild Ride

Melody Meyer
We are in for one wild ride!
Photo by 立志 牟 on Unsplash

I’m as tired of sheltering in place as almost everyone is by now. It’s been months of not touching or seeing beloved friends and family. Zoom receptions don’t cut if – where’s the wine?

If the experts are right, we are ill-prepared for what’s yet to come ahead. This pandemic isn’t over, nor is the social unrest and discord in our political circles. 

If you ask me, all people deserve the right to nutritious organic food, health care, education, clean energy and a planet that isn’t degraded.

While we sort this out and deal with a global pandemic, here are a few tips to keep us safe, sane and strong, while making the planet a better place.

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