Monsanto’s genetically-modified (GM) sweet corn has been approved for planting and sale in 2012. Although there is already a lot of GM corn in processed foods, this is the first Monsanto product that will arrive directly from the field to the consumer’s plate. Given the fact that the safety of GM foods has yet to be proven, this is a scary thought. In essence, Monsanto is being allowed to conduct a large-scale scientific experiment and WE are the guinea pigs!

The organization known as Food & Water Watch has begun a campaign to obtain 1000,000 signatures by April 1st urging Walmart to not sell GM sweet corn. It is easy to understand why Walmart is the target of this campaign given their tremendous buying power and influence. They have also been labeling themselves as a “green” company and are promoting local foods in their stores. This is their opportunity to show us their commitment to being green by joining others such as Trader Joe’s, General Mills and Whole Foods, in boycotting GM sweet corn.

To read more, click here.

To take action, click here.

Local farmer Michael Melius recently wrote an article for the Minneapolis StarTribune on the pros and cons of farm subsidies. On the pro side, federal subsidies have brought security to farmers through the ups and downs of bad weather and unpredictable markets. On the con side, they are not needed today because population increases and corn-based ethanol have reduced the surplus and raised the price of grains.

To Michael’s article we would add that as a nation we need to develop an agriculture policy that supports health. Federally subsidized corn and soybeans are fed to animals to make them grow faster and fatter, and this is not good for their health or ours. Corn is made into high fructose corn syrup that contributes to diabetes and obesity. Wheat is made into baked goods that add to our caloric overload.

Better to subsidize small family farms raising broccoli, tomatoes, leafy greens, squash, raw milk, chickens, eggs, and grass-fed beef that contribute to our health as well as the economic well-being of our small farmers. For more on healthy vs. unhealthy food see our March 26 post on the NuVal rating system.

We recommend Michael’s article and plan further conversations on this important topic.

The Rapid City council members debated an ordinance this past Monday night that would allow backyard chickens. Concerns of decreased property values, smell and noise were expressed and caused the vote to split 5-5 on the proposed ordinance. Most of these misconceptions are based on childhood experiences of visiting grandpa’s farm where 100 chickens were kept in a coop that was cleaned only once a year.

The idea of what constitutes “domestic animals” has changed as people now keep pot-bellied pigs, boa constrictors and pigeons as pets. Check out this document and learn the TRUTH about backyard chicken keeping!

GREAT news! Rapid City council member Aaron Costello will propose changing the current ordinance to allow city residents to keep a few backyard chickens! Backyard chicken keeping is a hugely popular hobby that is sweeping the country.  Cities big and small are changing their ordinances to allow citizens to responsibly keep a few chickens.

I have had the pleasure of keeping chickens for several years now so I would like to take a moment to dispel a few of the most common myths surrounding chickens.  First, chickens are NOT smelly.  It’s the chicken droppings that smell! The truth is that one medium-sized dog generates as much manure as five hens.  Unlike dog or cat manure which carries pathogens, chicken droppings are wonderful for composting and can do wonders for the yard and garden.

Secondly, chickens are NOT noisy.  The hens are actually pretty quiet, although mine do tend to cluck quite a bit after laying an egg.  (I think they do it to show off to their friends!) In any case, the noise generated by their clucking comes nowhere close to the neighbor’s dog who barks incessantly or the other neighbor who likes to mow his lawn at 7 a.m.  The roosters are a different matter altogether.  They are most definitely noisy and therefore are not permitted under most city ordinances.

Chickens do NOT attract more rodents and pests.  Any unguarded food left outside such as birdseed or pet food will attract rodents.  Even grass seed left in a potting shed can be a problem.  A well-designed and secure coop will not allow access to rodents, skunks, etc., and storing feed in predator-proof containers (I use aluminum trash cans inside the coop) is also a big deterrent to such nuisances.

Finally, chickens do NOT attract more predators than any other critter that might currently reside in your neighborhood such as rabbits, squirrels, chipmunks, or small birds.  You might see the predators more often because the chickens are enclosed within their coop & run, but there are not necessarily more predators present.

Please come and show your support at the Public Works meeting on Tuesday, February 15th, at 12:30 p.m., in City Hall.  If you are unable to attend the meeting, I urge you to take a moment to e-mail the city council members.

After a long battle, the USDA approved yesterday the unlimited use of genetically modified (GM) alfalfa in the United States.  Unfortunately, the decision does nothing to protect farmers, especially organic ones, from potential cross-contamination of their crops.  Perhaps even more importantly, we do not know what, if any, long-term costs there may be for consumers of GM alfalfa.

Keeping in line with recent posts regarding GM crops on this website, I think it is important to note that USDA Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack is considered to be a puppet of agribusiness biotech giants, including Monsanto.  As governor of Iowa, he frequently used Monsanto’s corporate jet. I would think that (amongst many other things he did in Iowa) would clearly show a conflict of interest, but apparently not.  It is beyond me to understand how these people are put into positions that are meant to safeguard consumers.

Anyhow, there IS one last possible measure to take, and that is to appeal directly to President Obama to override this decision.  Click here to send your message to the president!

(Edited to add that no one I know actually eats alfalfa directly, although there may be people who do! But, alfalfa is fed to dairy and beef cattle so things like milk, cheese, yogurt, ice cream, beef, etc., would all be affected.  Honey bees love alfalfa, too.)