Welcome to this week’s update. Everything that can be written about the riots in our cities this past week has probably already been written. I will just say that what all our members are doing to promote locally distributed, wholesome food is part of a virtuous circle building up local communities. Whether our communities are in big cities of small villages, they are crucial to the voices of sanity prevailing. (If you want to know my personal thoughts on the riots, you’ll find them here at my main blog.)
Ragwort
Here’s a reminder from Smallholder magazine to look out for the weed ragwort, which is responsible for many cases of livestock poisoning each year. And it’s just as poisonous if it finds its way into hay. It isn’t, of course, the only toxic plant growing, but it’s better to keep it under control. Ragwort is in full flower at this time of year, so if you see it in your garden or smallholding, get rid of it. Surrey County Council have loads of useful information on ragwort: click here.
Polyculture
The Sustainable Smallholding gives us an update on their polyculture experiment. Deano’s working with corn, persian clover, bladder senna, rye and spelt. Difficult to describe in words, so head on over to see all their photos and read about their progress here.
Acquaponics
Acquaponics has been touted as a great way to get high volumes of quality food from small spaces. It uses a beneficial cycle of fish waste in water nourishing veggies which in turn cleanse the water for the fish. And the whole set-up provides manure and, potentially, energy from methane gas. You can see a video about it here. But… is it cruel to fish, which swim in large quantities in extremely unnatural circumstances. I’ve wondered this for a while, and now Treehugger asks the question. What do you think?
Genetic engineering
Two stories from around the world about GMO food:
A few weeks ago, all GMO maize fields in Hungary were destroyed - 400 hectares in all. Although not the case in all EU countries, GMO seeds are banned in Hungary. Good for them!
And in the US, over 270,000 organic farmers are taking on GMO giant Monsanto in a lawsuit. They’re suing Monsanto to prevent contamination of organic corn, soybeans, and many other crops. Read about it here.
Royal and organic
I should perhaps confess to being rabidly anti-monarchy (my own views of course, not speaking on behalf of the WFA!) But… I have quite an admiration for Prince Charles. Yes of course it’s easy to poke fun at how removed he is from everyday life, his casual use of helicopters and everything else that’s thrown at him. And yet he’s done a huge amount to promote the organic/wholesome food discussion in this country. I have to say that overall I think he’s not a bad bloke! All this prompted by an article The Guardian published today: click here to read it.
And finally…
You might enjoy a funny and slightly mad song by singer/songwriter S. J. Tucker. To listen to the Salad of Doom, click here, and then press the play symbol.
Have a great week.