Farm country has stood by Trump, but the government shutdown is pushing them to their breaking point. In Georgia, a pecan farmer lost out on his chance to buy his first orchard, when The local Farm Service Agency office that would have processed his loan application was shuttered. In organic news, few people realize that organic farming makes up a small share of U.S. farmland overall. There were 5 million certified organic acres of farmland in 2016, representing less than 1 percent of the 911 million acres of total farmland nationwide. Glyphosate continues to dominate the news, when this week EU regulators based a decision to relicense the controversial weedkiller glyphosate on an assessment plagiarized from industry reports, according to a report for the European parliament. A new study says the EPA has disregarded substantial evidence that the popular herbicide is linked to cancer. A new analysis reveals shortfalls of EU pesticide authorization system and proposes solutions. A concern to the broader food movement, 4 seed companies now control more than 60 percent of the global market, a seed policy expert argues that consolidation poses major risks to our food supply. In gardening news, combining public space with edible gardens, the Bronx River Foodway might be the future of public park design. The best timesaving measure a gardener can take is applying mulch. This goes for everywhere from vegetable gardens to flower bed, mulched gardens grow healthier, have fewer weeds and resist drought than those without mulch. In Salt Lake City, Ashley Patterson wants to make farm-fresh produce a staple in her community’s diet. To her, gardening is not only a source of healthy vegetables; it’s a place that fosters community and togetherness.

The Bronx City Park that is Making Public Land Forage-Friendly

Combining public space with edible gardens, the Bronx River Foodway might be the future of public park design.

Farm Country Stood by Trump. But the Shutdown Is Pushing It to Breaking Point.

In Georgia, a pecan farmer lost out on his chance to buy his first orchard. The local Farm Service Agency office that would have processed his loan application was shut down.

Less Than 1% of U.S. Farmland is Organic: A Growing Crisis

With all of the talk about organic, few people realize that organic farming makes up a small share of U.S. farmland overall. There were 5 million certified organic acres of farmland in 2016, representing less than 1% of the 911 million acres of total farmland nationwide. Less than 1%.

EU glyphosate approval was based on plagiarized Monsanto text, report finds

EU regulators based a decision to relicense the controversial weed killer glyphosate on an assessment plagiarized from industry reports, according to a report for the European parliament.

Jon Steinman: The Magic of Food Co-ops

Jon Steinman, producer and host of the internationally syndicated TV/web series, radio show and podcast. “Deconstructing Dinner: Reconstructing Our Food System,” shares how consumer-owned cooperative grocery stores, or food co-ops, are changing the retail grocery landscape – and communities – for the better.

New analysis raises questions about EPA’s classification on glyphosate weed killer

Researcher says the EPA has disregarded substantial evidence that the popular herbicide is linked to cancer.

The Sobering Details Behind the Latest Seed Monopoly Chart

As four seed companies now control more than 60 percent of the global market, a seed policy expert argues that consolidation poses major risks to our food supply.

New analysis reveals shortfalls of EU pesticide authorization system and proposes solutions

Scientists, legal and policy experts expose what’s wrong with the regulatory system and show how it needs to change. A new White Paper, coordinated by Pesticide Action Network (PAN) Europe and produced by a group of 24 experts from the fields of pesticides, risk assessment, human and environmental health – including international scientists, legal and policy experts, and GM Watch editor Claire Robinson – identifies the many shortfalls in the safety assessment of pesticides in Europe that lead to dangerous substances being used in open spaces. The analysis also proposes concrete solutions on how to improve the pesticide risk assessment in Europe in line with the mandatory requirements of EU law.

How to Mulch Your Garden and Stop Weeds in Their Tracks

The best timesaving measure a gardener can take is applying mulch. This goes for everywhere from vegetable gardens to flower beds. Mulched gardens grow healthier, have fewer weeds, and resist drought than unmulched ones. Done properly, it’ll allow you to spend less time watering, weeding, and fighting pest problems.

How a gardener makes sure everyone can have fresh food

Ashley Patterson wants to make farm-fresh produce a staple in her community’s diet. To her, gardening is not only a source of healthy vegetables; it’s a place that fosters community and togetherness.