 Stories About: advice AND Ask Umbra AND food and agriculture AND sustainable ag
| Headline |
Author |
Published |
Section |
Grow With the Flow
On hydroponic farming |
Umbra Fisk |
16 Aug 2004 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, What are the advantages of hydroponics, and if it is so good, why isn't it used more? Luke Mitchellville, Iowa Dearest Luke, Plants take up most of their nutrients through their roots, despite all we learned in elementary school about leaves making food from the sun. Soil is a complex conglomeration of minerals, nutrients, bugs, and fungi that deliver nutrients to plants via the root system. Farmers and gardeners lab ... |
|
| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, food and agriculture, sustainable ag (all these topics) |
|
|
Bake Your Cake and Eat It Too
On getting a job in the 'eco-field' |
Umbra Fisk |
14 Jun 2004 |
Ask Umbra |
| On getting a job in the "eco-field" By Umbra Fisk 14 Jun 2004 Dear Umbra, I'm a conscientious baby boomer who would like to do things to help the planet. I'm simultaneously enjoying a midlife crisis. I have spent more than eight years in college, studying to be a psychologist/chef. Where in the eco-field is there a place for a reformed business owner/computer teacher/chef with years and years of experience in the psychology of women? Dr. Thom Jacksonvill ... |
|
| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, food and agriculture, green jobs, green living, local food, organic food, sustainable ag (all these topics) |
|
|
In the Flesh
On eco-friendly meat |
Umbra Fisk |
11 Dec 2003 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, While I'm not a vegetarian, I try to choose my foods based on their environmental impact. For me, most non-organic meat doesn't make the cut: It uses too much water, land, and other resources, and it pollutes our land and water. I know this because I know about CAFOs (concentrated animal feeding operations), which are the sources of the bulk of the chicken, pork, and beef that Americans eat. But what about lamb? I've never s ... |
|
| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, food and agriculture, green living, industrial ag, local food, ranching, sustainable ag (all these topics) |
|
|
The Organic Verses
On organic food and farming |
Umbra Fisk |
26 Nov 2002 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, I try to buy organic food where possible, but I notice that there is often a tradeoff with other factors. For example, organic food has often been shipped further and/or is more heavily packaged. How do I assess those tradeoffs? Ellen Watertown, Mass. Dearest Ellen, As I've mentioned before, the USDA national organic standards came into effect last month, an event that has caused both rejoicing and concern in t ... |
|
| Topics: advice, agriculture, Ask Umbra, CSAs, farmers markets, food, food and agriculture, green living, local food, organic food, sustainable ag (all these topics) |
|
|
|
|
©2008. Grist Magazine, Inc. All rights reserved. Gloom and doom with a sense of humor®.