Sustainable agriculture methods won't sustain African populations, argues Robert Paarlberg in the latest edition of Foreign Policy Magazine. Conventional farming methods, with the high-tech inputs familiar in the U.S., are what the continent needs to feed its diverse and growing populations. And is that bad for the environment? "No," Paarlberg claims. "Not only is organic farming less friendly to the environment than assumed, but modern conventional farming is becoming significantly more sustainable." He says the ruinous practices of the past, the ones Rachel Carlson wrote about in Silent Spring, have changed enormously since the 1960's when the book was published. He cites no-till planting, drip irrigation and precision fertilization as practices that both increase food production and do less environmental harm. You can read his article here: http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/04/26/attention_whole_foods_shoppers?page=0,3


     The White House kitchen garden, one year later, is a definite Obama administration success. Sam Kass, right, assistant chef for the Presidential residence, said the garden produced half-a-ton of food in its first season, soul-cleansing, hands-in-the-dirt work for volunteer staffers and lots and lots of positive PR. Lancaster Farming special sections editor Charlene M. Shupp Espenshade stopped by for a tour on a recent trip to Foggy Bottom and prepared a report for this week's edition. You can also read it here: http://lancasterfarming.com/node/2925


     Yeah! What she said. http://www.bing.com/videos/watch/video/house-cat-attacks-bear/1abiotmlj