what is ethanol?
Ethanol is a renewable fuel derived from plants like corn and sugarcane. Learn how it’s made, its uses, and its role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions while supporting sustainability efforts.
a vision for renewable energy: the forgotten story of Henry Ford and ethanol
Henry Ford revolutionized the automobile industry with the Model T, designed to run on ethanol, envisioning a fuel economy based on local agriculture. Despite its potential, ethanol was overshadowed by gasoline due to industry dominance and regulatory challenges. Ford’s vision of renewable energy remains significant today, highlighting the need for infrastructure and supportive policies.
ethanol explained: a deep dive into its market, impacts, and innovations
Ethanol Explained: Discover its role in energy, market impact, and innovations. Learn about challenges like the food vs. fuel debate and future solutions.
did neoliberalism kill the family farm?
Neoliberalism, often associated with economic policies favoring market deregulation and individual responsibility, has had far-reaching implications beyond its economic dimensions. It has permeated into broader cultural and political spheres, reshaping societal structures and institutions. One such institution deeply impacted by neoliberal ideology is the family farm. This article seeks to explore how neoliberalism has influenced…
a history of domestic (American) agricultural policy
Although much of the original motivation to settle America was fueled by a divine imperative to ‘go forth and conquer’ in the name of God, domestic farm policy also played a large role in motivating both citizens and newly arrived immigrants to settle the lands of the vast unknown. This began in the 1800s when…
Economics | Environment | Food
what are open-source seeds? why are open-source seeds important?
Perhaps you have heard the term open-source. Maybe you heard about it within the context of software and technology as the open-source movement originated within the software development community as a means to encourage innovation and knowledge sharing. As such, the open-source concept is best-known within the technological paradigm. However, the essence of open-source can…
the advantages and disadvantages of agribusiness
Discover the advantages and disadvantages of agribusiness, from efficiency and economic growth to corporate control, market barriers, and sustainability concerns.
Economics | Environment | Food | Health
covid-19 and our food system: the wake up call we need?
The whole world is dealing with the consequences of the novel coronavirus – everyone from the residents of European capitals to members of indigenous Amazonian tribes is feeling the effect. COVID-19 is the main topic of discussion and has been for a few months now and will continue to be for many months to come….
how does agribusiness work? what are the different parts of agribusiness?
Good or bad, agribusiness is an undeniable part of the agricultural landscape. We often associate the concept with (bad) industry practices and giant corporations. These associations aren’t wrong, but there is so much more to agribusiness than widely- known cultural giants with poor social and environmental track records. So, what does agribusiness really mean? The…
what is agribusiness? how did agribusiness evolve?
Historically speaking, agriculture has been treated as a single, unified sector in which existing market mechanisms (most commonly government intervention) enabled the coordination of production and distribution. This approach failed to account for the activities engaged in by private entities, e.g. farmers or industries working with farmers. The common understanding of agriculture as a sector…