globalbriefs
News and resources to inspire concerned citizens to work together in building a healthier, stronger society that benefits all.
Growing Organics Toxin-Free Farmlands Rise to 4.1 Million Acres
According to data service Mercaris, the U.S. had a record 4.1 million acres of organic farmland in 2016, an 11 percent increase over 2014. As of June 2016, the number of certified organic farms reached 14,979, including 1,000 startups. The top states in organic cropland after California, with 688,000 acres, are
Montana, Wisconsin, New York and North Dakota. Montana hosted a 30 percent increase to 417,000 acres in 2016, adding 100,000 acres since 2014 and 50 new organic farms.
In assessing the positive trend, Scott Shander, a Mercaris economist, says,
“With today’s lower commodity grain prices, farmers are looking to add value and meet consumer demands. The global market is dictating U.S. prices. De- mand for organic corn and soybeans is still growing strongly, but production is not growing as fast, so more of the production will be international.”
Source:
MercarisCompany.com
Petroleum-Free Phasing Out Plastic Film Food Wrappers
Many grocery store foods are wrapped in plastic packaging that creates non-recyclable, non-biode- gradable waste, even though thin, plastic films are not efficient at pre- venting spoilage. Some plastics are also suspected of leaching harmful compounds into food. Researcher Peggy Tomasula,
D.Sc., is leading a U.S. Department of Agriculture team developing an environmentally friendly film made of the milk pro- tein casein that addresses these is- sues. She states, “The protein-based films are powerful oxygen blockers that help prevent food spoilage. When used in packaging, they could prevent food waste during distribu- tion along the food chain.” Plastic six-pack rings are
renowned for their negative impact on wildlife and the environment. Now the Saltwater Brewery, in Delray Beach, Florida, is making edible six-pack rings for beer cans that are 100 percent biodegradable. Constructed of barley and wheat ribbons from the brewing process, they can be safely eaten by animals that come into contact with the refuse. Company President Chris Gove notes, “We hope to influence the big guys and inspire them to get on board.”
Source: American Chemical Society 12 Austin Edition
AustinAwakenings.com
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Shutterstock.com
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