February 20, 2015 | seedstock

1  The Spy Who Saved Cleveland (Politico)

Excerpt: How a former CIA executive and a new breed of lettuce are transforming the poorest parts of the Rust Belt city.

2  Why Some States Want To Legalize Raw Milk Sales (NPR’s The Salt)

Excerpt: Selling unpasteurized milk across state lines is illegal because it poses a threat to public health. But raw milk sales are growing nonetheless. Legalization would let states regulate a risky market. 

3  Bill to allow ‘Aquaponic’ systems for simultaneous fish, vegetable farming to be heard (KOB New Mexico)

Excerpt: Now there’s a push in the legislature to pass a bill that would allow New Mexicans to farm their own fish and vegetables inside their homes.

4  Eugene grocer acquires site for aquaponics farm in Dexter (Oregon Live)

Excerpt: After years of research, development and searching, the Waligoskes closed on a property on Dexter Road for Yep Yep Farm. Comprised of 4.6 acres, the property is the former site of Trillium Nursery and will be converted to a farm with organic aquaponics, permaculture and biointensive practices.

5  ‘Hydroponics’ sends Gonzalez to Regional Spelling Bee (Daily Progress)

Excerpt: Cindy Gonzalez, a seventh-grader at William Monroe Middle School, said she didn’t expect to be the county’s best speller on her first attempt at a bee.

6  The Epicenter of Organic Farming is India, Not Berkeley (Munchies)

Excerpt: Chemical-free agriculture isn’t limited to America’s carefully tended rooftop gardens. In fact, it’s the world’s developing nations that are leading the way in organics.

7  Urban farms may be best use for vacant city lots and industrial areas (Minneapolis Star Tribune)

Excerpt: Urban farmers who are turning vacant lots into fresh food sources say they’re here to stay and are out to convince the real estate industry and city planners they represent a beneficial, long-term change in the land-use patterns of the core cities

8  Urban farming: A new approach to raising goats (Bend Bulletin)

Excerpt: Eric Staswick headed to his goat shed and entered to the sound of soft bleating. “Hey, girl,” he said, leading a calm-eyed Nigerian dwarf goat named Claire onto a milking stand outside.

9  Dallas Plan Commission OKs urban agriculture changes (Dallas News)

Excerpt: Members of the Dallas Plan Commission gave unanimous and enthusiastic approval Thursday to a proposal to shift city code to allow selling produce from community gardens.

10  Students explore organic farming, sustainable agriculture in new GVSU program (MLive)

Excerpt: A new certificate program at Grand Valley State University aims to teach students about the ins and outs of sustainable agriculture.

11  Research funding stacked against sustainable agriculture, says OEFFA speaker (Cleveland Plain Dealer)

Excerpt: Scientist worries whether sustainable agriculture can survive industrial agriculture.

12  Colorado may pay to get more local food in schools (The Coloradoan)

Excerpt: Measure would spend $1M a year to help farmers make upgrades so they can sell to schools.

13  UN News – Agriculture must change, UN agency chief tells Paris summit, urging ‘paradigm shift’ (UN.org)

Excerpt: The model of agricultural production that predominates today is not suitable for the new food security challenges of the 21st century and the need to be more sustainable, inclusive and resilient, the head of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said today.

14  The Future Of Agriculture? Smart Farming (Forbes)

Excerpt: To feed all the planets inhabitants, food production must increase by 70 per cent by 2050. Smart farming could help reach this goal.