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Blog

Bringing you catalytic perspectives on the food system and food movement.

A new generation of farmers emerges

November 19, 2011 Roots of Change

New farmers nonetheless face hurdles, the main one being access to affordable land and credit. Today’s beginning farmers must overcome competition for land from developers, investors, retirees seeking country retreats […]

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Yet Again, Organic Ag Proves Just as Productive as Chemical Ag

November 17, 2011 Roots of Change

It turns out, when you actually compare chemical-intensive and organic farming in the field, organic proves just as productive in terms of gross yield—and brings many other advantages to the […]

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Time to Occupy California’s Food System

Roots of Change

After a long Wall Street career that included time as a global research director at a major investment bank, even I was shocked to see our nation’s financial system come […]

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When Ozone Drops, Farm Workers Step Up the Pace

November 9, 2011 Roots of Change

Opponents of stricter regulation of air pollution typically argue that jobs would be lost if the federal government tightened limits on industrial emissions of ozone. A new study presents a […]

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In Iowa, some farmers see changing climate

November 2, 2011 Roots of Change

Running a successful farm business relies on hard work, good soil and seeds and, most of all, weather. So it makes sense that many farmers have real concerns about climate […]

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Can California Save Its Salmon?

October 7, 2011 Roots of Change

Lately when I go to the fish counter at my local market, I’m overwhelmed trying to determine the most sustainable options for salmon, especially with all the conflicting messages out […]

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A Rose by Any Other Name: The Food ‘Dialogues’

October 4, 2011 Roots of Change

On Sept. 22 the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) hosted four "Food Dialogues" in major agricultural production and policy areas to, in their own words, answer consumers' questions and […]

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Farmers Adapt to Climate Change

September 28, 2011 Roots of Change

The last eight months of this year have been harsh to say the least for farmers. Some parts of the country have experienced flooding, extreme drought and frost that caused […]

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Let’s Make ‘Let’s Move!’ Even Better

September 27, 2011 Roots of Change

How the government can nudge people to spend food dollars in a way that benefits local small-scale farms and creates farmers' markets in areas where consumers have no alternative

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In Debate About Food, a Monied New Player

September 26, 2011 Roots of Change

Discussions, which were held across the country, included people from across the farming and food policy spectrum, including Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, and were hosted by Claire Shipman of ABC […]

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