Food prairie
Just as a food forest is a fusion of garden, orchard and woodland, so the food prairie is a fusion of garden, field, and grassland.
building resilient food systems
On the farm at Marin Roots
Securing land is difficult for young farmers, particularly in Marin County, where farms often pass from one generation to the next without going on the market.
Review: The Market Gardener by Jean-Martin Fortier
For some years now, author and farmer Jean-Martin Fortier has lived rather comfortably with his family entirely off the proceeds of their market garden in Québec, Canada.
Towards an Energy Standard of ‘Local’
In other essays I presented data showing that small-scale, local farms aren’t always more energy efficient than larger-scale producers, but as far as energy used to distribute food local farms seem to have an advantage.
Free Farmers, Food Liberty: Local Growers Declare Independence
Can real change take root in the aisles of a grocery store?
It’s all about the soil!
Though the local food movement continues to make strides, there’s still a long way to go.
Mark Bittman says Phooey to Foodie
Mark Bittman’s latest column tried to reclaim the word “foodie” for something more than high-end eaters.
More on the Energetics of Food Distribution
While buying food produced nearby can reduce the amount of fuel burned in food transport, another wrinkle worth adding to food distribution discussions revolves around what type of food is being transported, particularly whether it’s calorie dense, animal-derived food or more calorie diffuse foods such as vegetables and fruit.
Making the most of it in dry times
As California endures what may be its driest and hottest year on record, farmers and farmworkers have been among those most heavily hit by the drought.
Food Nation: We are what we cook
Food is an intimate commodity. It is bought, sold, and controlled just like any other, but what makes it so personal is that it is wrapped up in deeply individual and cultural values.
The Energetic Evolution of the US Food System
Before 1900 the US food system likely delivered more calories of food than it required as energy inputs in the form of fuel and labor. Only as our food system industrialized did today’s energy deficit emerge.
The fat of the land: Eating red meat
Contrary to most other campaign groups, in direct opposition to them in fact, we believe that the consumption of red meat, dairy produce and animal fats needs to be increased, not decreased.