Chris Blanchard's report on the Upper Midwest Organic Farming Conference in la Crosse Wisconsin, held last weekend. Via his blog, Eat Better News Read more...

Billions of microbes live in organically farmed soil, I bubbled to my mother. They change the soil so that it's more resistant to drought! They help feed the plants, and they help keep diseases away from plants’ roots! My mother is not keenly interested in soil or microbes, but she listened supportively to my little rant, and then surprised me by telling me something I had not heard before.

"Cousin Pauline said the soil tastes different now than it did when she was a girl, because of all the chemicals they use on the fields now," Mom said. Pauline, a very warm and grounded woman, grew up on the farm where my grandma was born in northwest Minnesota.

“She tasted the soil?" I asked.

“She must have,” Mom answered. Read more...

Heads up to Minnesota sustainable farmers and food producers:

Apply now for MDA Sustainable Agriculture Grants

ST. PAUL, Minn. - From developing cold hardy kiwifruit to extending the vegetable growing season, many Minnesota farmers and researchers have turned their ideas into viable production practices with the help of a Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) Sustainable Agriculture Grant. Read more...