Yearly Archives: 2015

Study Finds USDA Woefully Underfunding Research Needed to Spur Better Farming Practices

Less than 15 percent of the major external research and education grants the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) awarded last year even touched on the science of agroecology—the science of managing agricultural lands to boost the health of the farmland and surrounding environment—according to a study published Friday in the journal Environmental Science and Policy. The study was conducted by Marcia DeLonge, a scientist with the Union of Concerned Scientists’ Food and Environment Program; Liz Carlisle, a fellow at the Center for Diversified Farming Systems at the University of California, Berkeley; and Albie Miles, an assistant professor in the Sustainable [...]

2024-02-08T11:45:37-06:00November 21st, 2015|News|0 Comments

Losing farmland at a dangerous rate

Check out American Farmland Trust's great infographic on the loss of farm and ranchland in the US, why this land is so important, and some of the challenges in keeping it farmed sustainably. Then read what SILT is doing to protect farmland and beginning farmers. Like what we're doing at SILT? Please consider becoming a  member at any level today. https://www.farmland.org/our-work/areas-of-focus/farmland

2023-10-17T09:16:28-05:00November 13th, 2015|News|0 Comments

WFAN Conference Garners SILT Support

SILT enjoyed new exposure and overwhelmingly positive response from the nearly 200 attendees to the Women Food and Ag Network conference Nov. 6-7 in Davenport. From left, Jolena Irviing of Principle Financial, Mary Swander, playwright and Suzan Erem, SILT president talk to a roomful of women interested in farmland transition at the WFAN conference. In addition to appearing on a panel discussion about land transfer with SILT Adviser and Poet Laureate Mary Swander and Principle Financial's Jolena Irving, SILT President Suzan Erem was joined by fellow board members Paul Durrenberger, Denise O'Brien (WFAN founder) and Sheila Knoploh-Odole in enjoying workshops [...]

2015-11-10T16:47:16-06:00November 10th, 2015|News|0 Comments

“Sustainable Intensification” is not sustainable

Experts agree: producing more food does not necessarily feed more people. "30 to 40% of the food is wasted; intensification often goes hand in hand with squeezing out the small farmers and landless rural laborers most likely to be suffering from hunger. In some places where “maximum yields” are not obtained for all products, almost any intensification would likely disrupt local ecosystems with no clear benefits for food security—which depends on political and economic power, not just yields, in a world with enough food for everyone already. Vast amounts of land and energy are poured into feed for animals and [...]

2015-11-08T16:22:07-06:00November 8th, 2015|News|0 Comments

Dirt makes you happy

A study found that a specific soil bacterium may have a role in the regulation of emotional behavior. People say that gardening and being outside has antidepressant qualities, and now Research is giving the scientific explanation to this phenomenon. Don't let the cold weather stop you: go outside, be happy! https://modernfarmer.com/2014/08/dirt-make-us-happy-getting-hands-ground-better-prozac/ Like what we're doing at SILT? Please consider becoming a  member at any level today. Want to meet others? Come to SILT's first birthday party, Nov. 12 in Perry. Tickets on sale now.

2015-11-06T16:02:19-06:00November 6th, 2015|News|0 Comments

Focus on the environmental causes of cancer

In a recent Gazette article, SILT board member Kamyar Enshayan underlines the need to go beyond creating awareness of cancer and examining the causes. 90 percent of all forms of cancer are attributable to specific environmental factors. Glyphosate, atrazine are both possible carinogenes, and health professionals "need to know one very important fact: it is totally possible and practical to have a productive agriculture without the use of pesticides." https://www.thegazette.com/subject/opinion/focus-on-the-environmental-causes-of-cancer-20151030

2023-07-21T10:07:45-05:00November 3rd, 2015|News|0 Comments

Farming without owning land

Farmers and landowners are using innovative strategies to deal with the huge increase in land prices. Strategies include setting long-term (40 years!) leases with landowners or city parks. Find out more about how some farmers are bypassing lending agencies by reading this article, and learn how SILT helps farmers access land without having to purchase it. https://www.huffingtonpost.com/forrest-pritchard/farming-without-owning-land_b_8315894.html

2015-10-31T13:17:00-05:00October 31st, 2015|News|0 Comments

Farmer shortages

We know farmers are aging (only 6% of American farmers are under 35, and over one-fourth of American farmers will retire in the next 25 years). The National Young Farmer Coalition is pushing Congress to pass pending federal legislation designed to help college graduates who choose to farm to deal with their student debt. How can we as a society help beginning farmers grow our food? Find out more here.

2015-10-29T16:36:51-05:00October 29th, 2015|News|0 Comments

A creative way to use land

Rev. Richard Joyner has been named a 2015 Top 10 CNN Hero. In 2007, Rev. Joyner established the Conetoe Family Life Center, whose mission is to improve the health of the youth and community by increasing access to healthy foods, increasing physical activities and providing access to health services. The nonprofit manages more than 20 plots of land, including one 25-acre site. More than 80 young people help Joyner plan, plant and harvest nearly 50,000 pounds of fresh food a year. Learn more about this creative way land access can lead to economic opportunities and improved health in communities. https://www.cnn.com/2015/09/24/us/cnn-heroes-joyner/index.html

2015-10-24T13:17:32-05:00October 24th, 2015|News|0 Comments

What is agroecology?

The Union of Concerned Scientists list the following as the "top ten tenets of agroecology:" Amendments: not all soils or amendments are created equal Animal Integration Agroforestry Breeds and seeds (local ones!) Barriers and strips Cover crops and green manure Conservation tillage Crop rotation Diversified fields Designed landscapes https://blog.ucsusa.org/the-abcds-of-agroecology-what-is-it-all-about-926

2015-10-22T18:58:20-05:00October 22nd, 2015|News|0 Comments
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