Snow melt from the snow pack in the Sierra Nevada mountain range provides drinking water to about 30% of California's residents, irrigates key crops in the San Joaquin valley, and runs hydroelectric power plants that supply at least 15% of the state's electricity. Scientists Martha Conklin and Tom Harmon of the University of California, Merced are conducting research at the Southern Sierra Critical Zone Observatory, using wireless sensor technology to more accurately measure snow pack and snow melt so that state water managers can make better decisions on how to allocate this precious resource. Published on Jul 12, 2013

Part of the earth's largest surface freshwater system, Lake Erie is a vital source of drinking water for 11 million people. Researchers Anna Michalak, Tom Bridgeman, and Pete Richards are studying how farming practices and severe weather can increase the amount of fertilizer-derived nutrients in the water, which diminishes water quality and threatens the lake's ecosystem and the public's health.

Published on Jul 12, 2013

Kansas farmers Stan  Townsend and Mitchell Baalman and others that sit atop the Ogallala aquifer -- the largest freshwater aquifer in North America -- are pumping out water for crop irrigation far faster than natural seepage of rainwater can replenish it. Scientist David Hyndman from Michigan State University is helping develop a plan to better manage this vital resource for sustainable farming.

Published on Jul 12, 2013

Thierry Vrain retired 10 years ago after a long career as a soil biologist and ended head of a department of molecular biology running his own research program to engineer nematode resistance genes in crops. In his retirement career as a gardener he learned five or six years ago how the soil ecosystem really functions. He finds himself with a good knowledge of genetic engineering technologies surrounded by people in fear of being hurt by the food they eat. He found that he cannot ignore them anymore and has joined the campaign to educate consumers about the potential health problems reported in the recent scientific literature. Published on Jun 7, 2013 More information here.

This testimony shows how, by saving and exchanging his seeds, a small farmer in El Salvador preserves biodiversity and contributes to fighting hunger. Communities of Bajo Lempa in El Salvador declared in 2013 their intention to focus on agroecology including protecting local seeds, defending the soil and preserving water sources.Published on Jun 7, 2013

The United States Supreme Court ruled Monday (May 2013) in favor of biotech giant Monsanto, closing the door on a patent case that has pitted a smalltime farmer from Indiana against a titan of the agriculture industry.

The high court said early Monday that 75-year-old farmer Vernon Bowman of Indiana violated Monsanto’s patent rights when he purchased a mix of seeds from a grain elevator that he later planted on his Midwest farm. This is his story in his own words from February, 2013 interview covered in the Huffington Post.

Urban Ecosysterms: Permaculture entrepreneur Jason Raschke shows off his own space, an urban oasis, and shows us how to landscape an urban yard. Restoration of native habitat, attracting birds, bees and some food crops.  Compost and worm bins are part of the picture.

Green City Growers Cooperative, a Cleveland based, employee-owned business, expects to harvest its first crops from one of the largest urban greenhouses in the country, a 3 1/4-acre hydroponic operation off East 55th Street in the city's Central neighborhood. Mary Donnell is chief executive officer of Green City, said