crop wild relatives – what they are and why we need them

Nature has been doing her thing for billions of years.  It is only since about 200,000 years ago that humans entered the picture and it is only since about 15,000 years that humans have figured out agricultural production.  It is safe to say that nature may have a few tricks up her sleeves that we Homo …

the purpose of plant breeding and selection and why it is a never-ending story

Agriculture is the foundation of society as we know it and without the domestication of plants, agriculture would not be possible. Plant domestication, which is the process of adapting wild plants for the use of humans, is arguably more successful when practiced in conjunction with crop breeding. Crop breeding occurs when closely or distantly related plant …

is there such thing as a human carrying capacity?

We are all living together here on this big beautiful green and blue rock we like to call Earth.  She provides us with so many wonderful things - most importantly the raw materials and environmental services that keep us alive.  Despite being so lucky as to have these gifts from nature, we as humans seem …

community gardens discussed and analyzed

“The greatest fine art of the future will be the making of a comfortable living from a small piece of land.” - Abraham Lincoln Agriculture is defined as the science, art, and business of cultivating soil, producing crops and raising cattle. It is more commonly referred to as farming. Without it, society as we know …

question: why are certain countries classified as failing states?

Throughout history, the greatest threats to the stability of global society have been dependent on states with too much power. However, in modern times it is the countries that cannot maintain power that threatens international stability. When a national government loses some or all of its power and cannot ensure the wellbeing of the citizens …

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