Tag: Organic Agriculture

Environment, Social Implications in Agriculture, What is Organic

Can Organic Agriculture Save the Insects and Our Gardens? A New Study Suggests It Can

Melody Meyer
animal bee bloom blooming
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

I begin with a confession. This summer is the second time I have tended a garden since I was a child alongside my grandfather. For most of my adult life, I was too busy trading organic faire, building businesses—doing what I could to heal the planet through food and agriculture.

I am enjoying this garden with its prolific beans, squash, tomatoes and red Peruvian corn. It’s aswarm with bees, pollinators and insects who work to seed the bounty.

With all I’ve read about the mass extinction of insects, it makes me ponder. What would happen to my garden if they all disappeared? Continue reading “Can Organic Agriculture Save the Insects and Our Gardens? A New Study Suggests It Can” →

Culinary Delights, Organic Policy and Regulations, Travel, What is Organic

Why the Organic Produce Summit Is My “Go-To” Show

Melody Meyer

ops-open-graph

I was honored to again participate in this year’s Organic Produce Summit in Monterey. Even though I no longer engage directly in trading organic produce, something draws me to this event like no other. What’s in it for me then? Why must I go? Continue reading “Why the Organic Produce Summit Is My “Go-To” Show” →

Environment, Organic Policy and Regulations, What is Organic

Dear Human, Glyphosate by Any Other Name is Now a Reality

Melody Meyer
green tractor
Photo by freestocks.org on Pexels.com

As a follow up to my interview with Chuck Benbrook, I was astounded to see the verdict come through on the case of Alva and Alberta Pilliod. The jury awarded them an astonishing $2 billion in damages for their exposure to the herbicide glyphosate and their subsequent fight with Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Chuck testified in the case on April 17th, and he focused on Monsanto’s “stewardship” and lack thereof for its Roundup-brand herbicides.

Chuck comment that “This verdict will surely get Bayer’s attention. Talk about chickens coming home to roost.” His May 13thblog post, Has Bayer’s Day of Roundup Reckoning Arrived?, elaborates more on the verdict.

What does all this have to do with organic products? Herbicides like glyphosate are explicitly forbidden in organic production. Continue reading “Dear Human, Glyphosate by Any Other Name is Now a Reality” →

What is Organic

New Organic Consumer Messaging Campaign is Nothing You Should Ever Have to Read

Melody Meyer

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The demise of a mandatory organic research and promotion check-off program at the hands of the USDA came with great disappointment.

It also kindled a fiery commitment to the idea that something must be done.

Leading companies and individuals weren’t ready to give up the idea that collectively the organic industry could raise funds for research, education and promotion. Continue reading “New Organic Consumer Messaging Campaign is Nothing You Should Ever Have to Read” →

Environment, Social Implications in Agriculture, What is Organic

A Tribute to CCOF’s Cathy Calfo: Her Guiding Light Advances Organic Agriculture

Melody Meyer

2018 Cathy Calfo 2018I have witnessed Cathy Calfo’s vivacious drive since 2011 when she became the Executive Director of CCOF.  Since that time, she has been a friend, mentor, confidant and co-conspirator in advancing all things organic.

During her eight-year tenure, she achieved many policy and advocacy successes for organic agriculture in California and the Nation.

Cathy will leave the organization in March, in the good hands of Kelly Damewood.

I recently had the privilege of speaking with Cathy about her work at CCOF, commitment to organic and vision for the future. Continue reading “A Tribute to CCOF’s Cathy Calfo: Her Guiding Light Advances Organic Agriculture” →