Tag: Agriculture

Culinary Delights, Environment, Social Implications in Agriculture, What is Organic

What Will Be Our New Normal?

Melody Meyer

 

photo of snow capped mountain
Photo by KOUSTABH BISWAS on Pexels.com

Have you seen pictures of Los Angeles since the coronavirus forced us all to stay at home? The air sparkles, mountains rise clearly in the distance.

Even the residents of Northern India are getting their first sight of the Himalayas in over a generation.

The factories are closed, the highways empty, the skies all but free from planes. This virus has made us stop, but has it made us think?

What is normal, and should we try to return to the old ways of doing business? Continue reading “What Will Be Our New Normal?” →

Environment, Social Implications in Agriculture

Will Climate Take the Center Stage at Expo West this Year?

Melody Meyer

Do you believe our climate is changing? You may not be feeling the record warmth in the Arctic which has even the most pessimistic scientists rethinking their climate views. But you probably took note of the storms, fires, floods, and heat that caused at least $306 billion in destruction last year in the US.

Climate change is upon us now. Food and agriculture are some of the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. As we gather this week in Anaheim, many companies have taken a pledge to leverage the power of the industry to reverse climate change together.

They aim to bring climate awareness to the center stage of this year’s Expo. Continue reading “Will Climate Take the Center Stage at Expo West this Year?” →

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

Everyone Who Eats Should Pay Attention to the Farm Bill

Melody Meyer

Every 5 years or so Congress passes a far-reaching piece of legislation that influences what food is grown, how it’s grown, and who gets access to healthy food. This, in turn, affects the health of our topsoil, the quality of our water, and the prosperity of those who grow our food.

In addition, the Farm Bill addresses hunger, nutrition, and access to healthy local food. It is also the primary funding for most Organic programs in the US.

Congress is working on Farm Bill language now; if you eat and care about Organic, it’s time to get involved. Continue reading “Everyone Who Eats Should Pay Attention to the Farm Bill” →

Culinary Delights, What is Organic

Consider the Asparagus this Solstice

Melody Meyer

The ancients worshiped the return of the sun—that time when in the darkest hour the days began to lengthen. The winter solstice held the promise that the light would again return, seeds would yield to sprout and harvests would once again be reaped. This promise was embedded in the celebration—the birth of the sun.

To this day our holidays surround it; we feast and give gifts, we light candles and sing. The solstice and seasons have influenced many of our culinary traditions and still drive our food production. Continue reading “Consider the Asparagus this Solstice” →

Culinary Delights, Environment, Social Implications in Agriculture, What is Organic

Give Thanks that Hope Springs Organic

Melody Meyer

I had lunch with a colleague last week, an organic advocate, businesswoman and friend. I had not connected with her in far too many years. We both built businesses and believed in organic before there was such a thing. We reminisced about the passion and energy we carried with us as we created new brands in the marketplace. We were eager to promote a different way to grow and produce food; one without harmful inputs that wasn’t dependent on big chemical companies.

We meet years later, both needing a shot of hope and a dose of gratitude. Continue reading “Give Thanks that Hope Springs Organic” →