Janisse Ray wins Sustainable Literature Award

The Seed Underground: A Growing Revolution to Save Food, won the prize for Agriculture in the Sustainable Literature Awards, according to the Santa Monica Mirror, 11 September 2013.

From the book:

“If you haven’t heard what’s happening with seeds, let me tell you. They’re disappearing, about like every damn thing else. . . . But I’m not going to talk about anything that’s going to make us feel hopeless, or despairing, because there’s no despair in a seed.”

Other awards for The Seed Underground:

Gold Award of Achievement for Best Book Writing from the Garden Writers Association
Nautilus Book Awards Gold Winner: Green Living
Booklist’s Top Ten Crafts and Gardening Books of 2012
American Society of Journalists and Authors Arlene Eisenberg Award for Writing that Makes a Difference
American Horticultural Society Book Award
Silver Award of Achievement from the Garden Writers Association

From the publisher: Continue reading →

Jane Smith Kuntz Jan. 30, 1926 – Sept. 15, 2013

Buffalo News, 15 September 2013, Jane S. Kuntz, retired teacher, active in community,

Jan. 30, 1926 — Sept. 15, 2013

Jane S. Kuntz, of Lancaster, a retired teacher, died Sunday in GreenField Manor, Lancaster, after a lenthy illness. She was 87.

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Zucca-pumpkins

At Downtown Valdosta Farm Days this morning (9AM-1PM), a cross of a pumpkin and a zucca:

Cross of a pumpkin and a zucca
Picture by John S. Quarterman for Okra Paradise Farms, Lowndes County, Georgia, 7 September 2013.

Gretchen also has pumpkins, zuccas, rosemary, and other good stuff.

-jsq

Science that’s proven safe by not the very same companies that stand to gain by its approval –Rachel Parent

14 year old Rachel Parent destroys a pro-Monsanto-GMO TV host on every point, from science to his ad hominem attacks against her. He twists, he turns, he avoids admitting when he’s defeated, and he loses bigtime. No summary can do this justice.

Mat Agorist posted for Realfarmacy.com 30 August 2013 about the CNBC Lang & O’Leary show of 31 July 2013, 14 Year Old, Rachel Parent, Anti-GMO Activist, Destroys Establishment Shill, Kevin O’Leary, On Air

Meet Rachel Parent, a 14 year old activist, who knows her stuff! This brave girl should serve as a role model for all teens. If 10 percent of children had this girl’s drive and knowledge, we wouldn’t even be having this debate right now.

In this video Ms. Parent braves the establishment hack, Kevin O’Leary, and does outstanding. O’Leary hammers out the industry talking points like the good shill he is and Ms. Parent slams each and every one. Bravo Rachel Parent, thanks for doing what you do.

If you like the work of Rachel Parent and want to help, please visit her website at http://www.gmo-news.com.

Here’s the video:

Continue reading →

Mutant corn rootworm in Illinois defying Monsanto GMO corn

Mutant pigweed here, mutant rootworm there, pretty soon no Monsanto pest protection anywhere.

Carey Gillam wrote for Reuters 28 August 2013, GMO corn failing to protect fields from pest damage: report

(Reuters)—Researchers in the key corn-growing state of Illinois are finding significant damage from rootworms in farm fields planted in a rotation with a genetically modified corn that is supposed to protect the crop from the pests, according to a new report.

Evidence gathered from fields in two Illinois counties suggests that pest problems are mounting as the rootworms grow ever more resistant to efforts to fight them, including crop rotation combined with use of the biotech corn, according to the report issued by Michael Gray, a professor of crop sciences at the University of Illinois.

Here’s the report, by Michael Gray in U. Illinois Bulletin, 27 August 2012, Severe Corn Rootworm Injury to Bt Hybrids in First-Year Corn Confirmed, Continue reading →

Is this your pit bull?

Collar, no tags, male, puppy, about 45 pounds, intact ears, very friendly, can sit. If this is your dog, let us know; we will deliver.

by Gretchen by jsq
Pictures by Gretchen and John S. Quarterman for Okra Paradise Farms, Lowndes County, Georgia, 29 August 2013.

Day before yesterday I discovered something had been chewing rope in half. Last night we put up some cameras to find out what; no luck. Yesterday while collecting the cameras, I left the truck door open. When I came back I thought our Yellow Dog was in there, but it started growling at me. Moved the seat and hm, you’re not one of ours! Found the rope-chewing culprit, though.

-jsq