Explore sustainable agriculture, ethical sourcing, nutrition, and food security. Learn how food systems impact health, the environment, and the economy.
As the world’s population grows, so does its demand for animal proteins which puts a great deal of pressure on natural populations. Agriculture has helped to reduce such pressures on land animals [albeit causing other problems in the process]. Aquaculture is the aquatic version of agriculture in that fresh and saltwater organisms are farmed. Farming…
The Rise of High Fructose Corn Syrup Our bodies love the sweet stuff—we can’t really help it. This preference is a leftover survival strategy from our primitive days when sweetness signaled safe, high-calorie foods that helped sustain energy levels. Before the rise of modern agriculture, finding calorie-dense foods was essential for survival. However, in today’s…
While medical science has advanced incredibly throughout the past century, each individual is still primarily responsible for their health and well-being. How much and what type of exercise impacts or muscle and fat ratios. The amount of sleep that we get affects our mental and physical health. Our diets fuel our daily activities. At present,…
In nearly all healthy ecosystems, there is an intricate network of living organisms that coexist and provide balance to the environment. Modern approaches to agriculture counter this balance and embrace monoculture production. Within monoculture systems, there is only one type of crop which opens the crop to a number of problems, like pest infestations or…
It is commonly argued that industrial agriculture is a necessary evil in the world. Proponents contend that industrial agriculture’s efficiency and ability to produce huge quantities of products using less space are pivotal to feeding hungry nations throughout the world. Others believe that industrial agriculture has freed poor, rural citizens from their ‘backward country ways’…
It seems that intermittent fasting might be the next new diet craze. There is nary a news feed without some article or video touting the “amazing”, “life-changing”, or “mind-blowing” benefits of regulating the time periods when a person ingests any calorie-containing foods. But what is the hubbub really all about? Why exactly would a person…
It’s hard not to love food. It’s comforting. It’s nourishing. It’s delicious and hardwired into our cultural practices. It has become our companion in the car, at our desks, in front of the TV, and on-the-go. As such, our relationships have lost some of their much-needed boundaries. Our lack of personal space has come to…
Plant structure and appearance varies throughout a plant’s lifecycle. It is natural for leaves to brown and fall and it is not uncommon for fruits and flowers to vary in size and shape. However, there is a range of factors that can lead to more intensive damage and irregularities. These factors are known as plant…
Throughout the world, a wide range of public, state-run, and private institutions provide agricultural extension services. These services are typically related to three core competencies: Technology transfer – helping to disseminate new technologies from research institutions to end-users. For example, helping to expand the use of new, more efficient irrigation systems. Advisory services – providing…
Much of early American history was based on a rejection of what was and creating systems for what should be. The educational system was no different. In the latter part of the 19th century, there was dissatisfaction with the way that university systems continued to cater to the wealthy elite rather than providing services and…