Dave Varney passed a group of rooting hogs, crossed a small creek and came to a stop in a riot of vegetative life. The southwest Wisconsin farmer contemplated his surroundings…. Read more »
Posts Categorized: Food and Sustainable Agriculture
March Menu Madness—CSA Style
The late March sun has had its way with our snow; now it’s going for the frost itself—slowing drawing it out of the ground like a tapeworm offered a cracker…. Read more »
Green Farms, Blue Water
The Minnesota River’s contribution of sediment to the Mississippi’s Lake Pepin has increased more than 12-fold since 1830. The Minnesota flows through an area composed of particularly fine-grained soils, which… Read more »
Burritos, Bacon & Bills
A package of bills that could greatly enhance sustainable and organic agriculture in Minnesota face key tests on Tuesday in the Senate. On that day, the Senate Agriculture and Veterans… Read more »
Little Greenhouse on the Winter Prairie
As the biggest winter storm in years swoops down on parts of the Upper Midwest, I can’t help but think of an 18 by 24 foot island of summer that’s… Read more »
2007: The Year of Sustainable Ag at the Capitol?
Four key bills related to sustainable agriculture were passed during two days of hearings earlier this week. The hearings, which were held by Rep. Mary Ellen Otremba, Chair of the… Read more »
A Big Week for Sustainable/Organic Ag at the Capitol
It’s going to be a big week at the capitol for sustainable and organic farming. Not only are two sustainable ag hearings scheduled, but various bills related to supporting environmentally-friendly… Read more »
The Maroon & Gold Takes a Hard Look at Yellow Gold
I don’t expect to find hard-hitting journalism in an alumni magazine. But there big as Goldie Gopher’s buck teeth in the January-February issue of the U of M’s Minnesota Magazine… Read more »
Farmland & Garbageland in Renville County
The next time you take the garbage out, give a thought to Dennis and Karen Barta. I visited the Bartas’ Renville County farm earlier this week to learn more about… Read more »
Why ‘Home Grown Economy’ is a Radical Event
On Monday, Feb. 26, a significant event will take place in western Minnesota. It’s a day-long conference, and it will be held at the University of Minnesota-Morris. Nothing special about… Read more »