Stronger Plants, Stronger Science, and Stronger Communication
Raoul Adamchak (at right) is a respected organic farmer and teacher who is stirring up new ideas with his wife, biotechnologist Pamela Ronald. They co-authored Tomorrow’s Table, a book about combining organic methods with biotechnology to produce healthy, cost-effective, sustainable food. Pamela has been outspoken about the book, but US News and Reports has the…
I’ll start this by saying that I haven’t seen a marijuana plant for over twenty years. So, I could be completely wrong on this one. Walking past the ISU Memorial Union this morning, I saw a patch of weeds. Being the curious plant nerd that I am, I looked a little closer, only to find…
Last month, 8 veterans who are students in science and engineering were interviewed for Science Careers, a publication of AAAS. I was lucky to be included. Alan Kotok, managing editor of Science Careers, conducted my interview over the phone. The series is called Student Veterans Come Marching Home. He wrote two articles: Their Return to…
There’s a new comment on my post Exposed, Indeed that perfectly encompasses the ideas I’m attempting to explain on this blog: Oops, you’re forgetting something… The public has already seen movies like “The World According to Monsanto” and Jeffrey Smith is all over youtube and google video too talking about his “Seeds of Deception” book….
Read More “Integrating Biotech and Organic – Frame of Mind” »
Understanding the benefits and drawbacks of both organic and conventional farming methods could be a boon for both types of farmers and researchers. As I see it, current college education in either one includes little about the other. How can a conventional farmer or researchers know how to make their farm more sustainable if they…
I’ve finished reading Starved for Science: How Biotechnology is Being Kept Out of Africa. Robert Paarlberg describes the social and political issues that have led to distrust of agricultural science in the developed world, and how this distrust was exported to developing countries. The book is definitely a good read, but seems repetitive at times….
Rachel Carson was undoubtedly a force for good in the 1960s. She singlehandedly started the environmental movement by calling attention to the dangers of unregulated pesticide use. As a graduate of the University of Maryland College Park, I especially appreciate Carson’s work in the Chesapeake Bay. Kate Neville, in The Science Creative Quarterly, calls for…
Brownfield (Ag News for America) posts a lot of news that doesn’t make other media sources. One of my recent favorites pairs two of my life’s loves: the US Army and agriculture. Nebraska Army National Guard takes ag to Afghanistan Tuesday, May 13, 2008, 3:36 PM by Peter Shinn One of the keys to winning…
The biggest problem I have with the media is that they never post references. Unfortunately, both writers that I disagree with and those I generally agree with are guilty of this. The Independent article “The great organic myths: Why organic foods are an indulgence the world can’t afford” posted yesterday has the headline: “They’re not…
Norm Borlaug warns of another impending crisis relating to food – one that few have thought about. I hope that people will take notice of his editorial in the NY Times, and that the US and other governments will be willing to fund solutions. Distinguished Professor John Pesak sent the editorial to some ISU students…