@MorethanOrganic

With real life case studies like 10 years of Bt cotton in India, we know that yield gains are not being sustained. Did the corporations and scientists that developed Bt cotton not predict pest...

Through communication of a clear, accurate initial message, we can key into shared mutual interest with our audience. Then, if we're really interested in developing mutual understanding that leads towards the heart of our cause, we need a willingness to get involved wholeheartedly with its values. These values at the heart of our cause would seem to take precedent over its activity and even its mission, as the latter are dependent on the forme...

Rarely do we get into a debate about what is needed most at this point in time. We may know from our own lives, the difference between needing and wanting, but how does that translate to a World level view of how best to develop food systems? Trying to make a living from small scale farming has a way of cutting through idealism, to reveal common sense solutions that meet needs in a practical simpler manner.

Talking...

Working pruning olive trees brings a sense of heritage: a heritage of extraordinary value.  Many of these trees are well over 100 years old, some possibly several hundreds.  Each knarled trunk and crooked branch come together to give each tree a character of it´s own.  So many seasons have gone into creating these characters, yet they are still only young adults and with care could well still be around in the next millenium.

So the drive to sustainable food is beginning to appear on the general public´s radar - all the pan banging has created enough noise to get us this far.  That´s positive, a move in the right direction, but how do we develop our cause - make it tangible enough to kickstart some real change, real momentum?  How do we really get our claws into some deep societal action?

Twitter as a connecting...

To communicate my perspective on the monetary value of food, you´ll need a little insight into my view and what goes into forming that.  Your own perspective is unique to you and I´m not expecting you to see things the way I do, but by giving you some background to what forms mine, I may add enough credibility to these ideas that you choose to give them some consideration.

Like it or not, your view of ...

For a moment, let go of everything you´ve been told about food.  Sit down somewhere comfortable, alone and away from distractions.  Relax and become aware of your breathing, letting thoughts arise without getting involved with them.  How are you today?  Can you feel what´s happening in your body?  Gently bring your awareness to focus on your feet - how are they feeling?  Move your awareness slowly up through your legs and entire body, rig...

Capitalism ephasizes quantity.  In our over consuming Western Nations, quantity is seen as a core value.  Accumulating material wealth as a facet of desiring quantity, drives our economies and plays a large part in our lives which are managed and run based on quantities of time.  Wherever we look, it´s not difficult to find quantity as a core value. So is it really so surprising that agriculture and food systems reflect this core value of quantity?

Rebecca is an ecologically focused textile artist, ethnobotanist, restoration gardener and teacher. Rebecca´s blog is about experiences creating functional art from nature.

Local Mordant November 28, 2009

Perhaps the most surprising aspect of yesterday´s Twitter discussion on Genetically Modified (GM) foods, was the general apathy towards the subject. 

Those people sharing their views helped the conversation to develop and bloom, but considering we are now instantly connected with hundreds of others tweeters, involvement was disappointing. Our discussion was an opportunity when many different views could ha...

The outdoors and the wealth of experience it offers is now being promoted increasingly in education as we realise it’s importance for a generation that spend most of their time indoors interfacing with electronic devices. To care about our environment, our children need to understand it. And it is becoming important for us to grow, understand and be connected to our food again. For me the ideal school wouldn’t rely on a few devoted individuals giving up their time, ...

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/money/consumer_affairs/article6822026.ece

Sir,

Thank you for highlighting some important points with your 'blind taste test'.

Supermarket branded organic products, as a rule, do not represent the high quality a...