The Growing Focus of Biologicals in Farming

Touch the Soil News #2053 (photo – Vegetables – Courtesy of USDA) Farm Journal’s AgWeb portal brings the story of using biologicals in mainstream farming.  When 600 farmers were asked if they used biologicals in farming, more than 61 percent said no.  Among those who did us biologicals satisfaction rates were as high as 80…

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Food for Special Events In a City With Food Insecurity – What Would You Do?

Touch the Soil News #2051 (photo – Jakarta – CCA 3.0 Unported, Romli mohamad) The People’s Network News brings and interesting story about food and people living in the city of Jakarta, Indonesia.  Jakarta is at the heart of a metro area of almost 35 million people.  They are embracing the Ramadan special time.  The…

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Saving Grocery Stores

Touch the Soil News #2050 (photo – Vegetables – Courtesy of USDA) The demand for the services of a grocery store is through the volume dollars that show up to buy.  However, that demand must not only satisfy the costs of keeping the doors open, but a return on investment established in corporate headquarters hundreds…

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The Demand for Land and Water is Growing

The island of Oahu, home to Hawaii’s largest city Honolulu, hosts a population of over 1 million.  This relatively small island is mostly mountains with very little land to grow a garden.  While there are efforts at expanding community garden plots, there are over 600 people on wait lists.   The People’s Network news portal brings…

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Does Molecular Farming, Precision Fermentation and Cultured Meat Fall Outside of Organics?

Touch the Soil News #2048 (photo – USDA Organic Farming Program Logo – Courtesy of USDA) Organic Consumers Association offered a critical piece on the GMO foods that are emerging under the titles of molecular farming, while discussing the future of proteins under the mantra of animal-free meat.   Nonetheless it is an interesting perspective from…

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Could Urban Growers Market their Offerings under a Food as Medicine Banner?

Touch the Soil News #2047 (photo – Vegetables – Courtesy of USDA) One of the larger Food Banks in America is the Tarrant Area Food Bank, located in Fort Worth, Texas.  Serving a metropolitan county area of 2.2 million people.  Recently, the Food Bank was awarded a multi-year grant to provide food-as-medicine meals.  It took…

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Are Garden Plots for Urbanites a Potential Business Plan?

Touch the Soil News #2046 (photo – Community Garden – Courtesy of USDA) Garden plots and/or allotment gardens can be in high demand.  In Great Britain, waiting lists can encompass thousands of people and waiting times can be several years.  A recent article in The Straits Times of Singapore) a crowded city-state of 6 million…

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