A crop that uses an aeroponic method relies on mist and air to grow rather than soil. It’s an inventive way to avoid aggregates that traditional agriculture methods require. Each plant receives nutrient-rich moisture through a spritz to its roots. This practice allows growers to create a flexible, mobile garden wherever they please. By Emily […]
Did you know there’s more than one way to grow plants? The traditional agriculture method calls for soil, water and sun — but it’s possible to cultivate a garden without that first component. A hydroponic crop doesn’t use land to supply plants with their nutrients. Instead, it feeds them with nutrient-enriched water through their roots. As a […]
Hydroponics is a type of aquaculture that uses nutrients and water to grow plants without soil. It is an increasingly popular growing method in urban areas and regions with extreme climates. There are many benefits to hydroponics as an alternative form of agriculture, including fewer chemicals, higher yields and greater water efficiency. By Emily Folk […]
The US has some of the most lax restrictions in terms of pesticide safety regulations; in fact, several of the pesticides used in the US are banned in the EU…. By Emily Folk (Excerpted from a longer piece at Earth.org.) More pests is only one symptom of a changing climate that’s making many crops around […]
When it comes to food waste, specifically produce, the numbers are staggering. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), food waste accounts for 30%-40% of the United States food supply. Food waste is the largest category of material in municipal landfills, playing a huge role in releasing the greenhouse gas methane. Municipalities across the U.S. are […]
A home garden can help you take the first step on your sustainable journey. There’s a substantial difference between a traditional garden and an eco-friendly one. The latter uses environmentally conscious practices and habits to grow fruits, vegetables and herbs that are better for you and the planet. That sounds helpful, right? By Emily Folk […]
Sustainable farming seeks to preserve and improve the environment, ensure human health and grow food for the growing global population. There are many philosophies and methods contained within this practice, and it can be tricky to choose one definition. In general, sustainable agriculture looks to improve growing practices so that land does not degrade at […]
Every spring, people get excited to head to the store for gardening supplies. It’s fun to plant seeds and watch your garden grow, but anyone who wants a green thumb should how to tend plants in every season. It’s possible to garden all year round if you know what to look for and add to your […]
Sally Mackenzie spent her childhood summers walking through the vast fields of bright, red, ripe tomato crops: They grow best in the heat of her home state of California. Yet recent seasons prove it can get too hot for a tomato. By Allison Gacad Ensia “It just sits there, puts out these little green knobs, […]
Almost overnight, the COVID-19 pandemic has transformed many Americans’ relationships with food. To relieve some of the stress associated with shopping safely for groceries and ensure food security, many people are once again planting “victory gardens.” This tradition hearkens back to previous generations who cultivated home gardens during both World Wars. By Kristen DeAngelis, University […]
The Coronavirus pandemic has taken Australia and the world by surprise. Coming after severe droughts in eastern Australia, concerns have been raised about Australian food security. The concerns are understandable, but they are misplaced. Despite temporary shortages of some food items in supermarkets caused by an unexpected surge in demand, Australia does not have a food security […]
The coronavirus presents many uncertainties, and none of us can completely eliminate our risk of getting COVID-19. But one thing we can do is eat as healthily as possible. If we do catch COVID-19, our immune system is responsible for fighting it. Research shows improving nutrition helps support optimal immune function. By Clare Collins, University of […]
Did you know that there is a 3D printed steak that you can eat? It was 3 something in the morning and I couldn’t sleep, so I scrolled through Twitter and saw this tweet about 3D-printed meat: A taste of what's to come. 🔎 Learn more about how technology is fighting food waste: https://t.co/3cUk2nUkWa pic.twitter.com/jrDQqbFJv2 […]
The Big Idea: The tomato’s path from wild plant to household staple is much more complex than researchers have long thought. For many years, scientists believed that humans domesticated the tomato in two major phases. First, native people in South America cultivated blueberry-sized wild tomatoes about 7,000 years ago to breed a plant with a […]
Food is central to our lives – that’s a given – but our relationship with it is problematic: agriculture is one of the leading causes of climate change. With the world’s population growing rapidly in the next few decades, the global demand for food is expected to increase by 70%. However, the production of this food […]