January 2019 Issue PDF

Acres U.S.A., The Voice of Eco-Agriculture, January 2019 | Issue #571 Copyright 2019, 25.8 MB PDF, 100 pages

FEATURES

Restoring Our Seed Commons
by CR Lawn
CR Lawn asserts that gardeners and farmers are losing rights to work with our seeds, and most seed companies aren’t telling us. Our ability to save seeds, even of some heirloom varieties that have been passed down for generations, is threatened.

Seedsman on a Mission
by Allie Hymas
Known by many in the seed saving community as a mentor, McDorman has personally trained over 1,000 seed savers through his Seed School. The difficult climate and soil conditions of the Rocky Mountain West led McDorman toward an ethos of seed saving that goes beyond the basic idea of finding and using open-pollinated seed varieties.

Community Seed Network
by Allie Hymas
For farmers and gardeners who practice the time-honored tradition of preserving seed and trading with neighbors and friends, the swapping circle just got a whole lot bigger.

Solar Dairying in Wisconsin
by LeeAnne Bulman
It is not just hay that’s made when the sun shines on Justin and Jenny Wolfe’s farm. Their 35-kilowatt solar panels make enough electricity to power their 60-cow organic dairy and home.

Put Your Seed to the Test
by Jill Henderson
While not usually at the top of the to-do list, testing germination rates is not only crucial to the preservation of heirlooms and the ultimate outcome of your hard work, saving you time and money.

Fresh Floral Aspirations
by Tammy Scully
The name — Little Big Farm — hints at the impact this 5-acre farm in northwestern New Jersey has been making. It has grown from a start-up in 2006 to an established and sought-after cut flower producer today, specializing in niche and specialty flowers for weddings.

The Indore Method of Composting
by Anneliese Abbott
This article is the second in a series focused on the history of organic agriculture in America and those who played a prominent role in shaping the movement.

Heirloom Tomatoes: Using Eggshells
by Abbey Smith
Our garden is a classroom. Consider the lessons my daughter and I learned this year as we experimented with growing heirloom tomatoes in eggshells collected from our chicken’s eggs.

Planting By the Moon
by Darby Weaver
Planting by the moon is an ancient practice utilized by countless cultures throughout the ages to help support the health and production of crops. These methods are still used today by biodynamic growers and others who have learned their trades from those who have come before.

Interview: Dr. Caius Rommens
Rethinking Pandora’s Potatoes
Former genetic engineer for J.R. Simplot, Monsanto, Dr. Caius Rommens questions biotechnology safety and authors a book on his work with potatoes.

DEPARTMENTS

View from the Country
Monthly musings from Acres U.S.A.’s publisher.

Letters to the Editor
Readers share their thoughts on past articles and words of encouragement.

Opinion: Food as True Nourishment
Will Winter says to change one’s life on a profound level, he thinks it becomes important to evaluate how diet is affecting us on all four pathways, not only the physical, but also our emotions, our ability to think, and even our spiritual connections.

Eco-Update
News in brief from around the world on developments in eco-farming technology, organic food and farming, human health and vital environmental issues.

Science on Your Side
Acres U.S.A. highlights recent research and what it means for you.

The Harvest Table: Wild Teas Soothe Body, Soul
While the history and historic uses of plants are rapidly being forgotten by many, some want to remember and preserve these traditions. Forager Dewayne Allday shares tips for collecting fresh leaves from native plants, shrubs and trees to create wild teas.

Stock & Flock: In Support of Local Farmers’ Markets
California rancher Spencer Smith examines which forages in particular are best suited for finishing cattle for the growing grass-fed market.

Health & Healing: Borrowing is Better
Dr. Michael John Badanek says we can’t wait for a multibillion-dollar clinical trial to “prove” that magnesium is a necessary nutrient and asserts that there is enough research showing its therapeutic value, safety and efficacy.

Reviews & Recommendations
From in-depth book reviews to innovative websites and beyond, here’s what’s on our radar.

Marketplace

Classifieds

Eco-Meetings
We let you know when and where exciting eco-farming events are happening.

Meet an Eco-Farmer
Get to know fellow innovative farmers putting ecologically correct production principles to work, resulting in profitable, sustainable operations.