Where is the new administration on the hi-tech organic ag front? When Vilsack connects farm biogas, organic fertilizer, and distributed smart grid backup from farm based energy, wind, solar, and biogas fuel cell power generation. And calls for per kwh subsidies direct to farmers, that replace the current farm subsidy program, that will be the time to celebrate. Elimination of GMO crops, pesticides and herbicides is going to take robotic organic farming, it's just too hard to grow grain and soybeans on an industrial ag scale with human labor. Even getting enough veggies will be difficult with human powered organic farming.   more »

How could this be good news? From the Grist interview: "...analysts suggest an even higher figure, attributing between 38 percent and 52 percent of GHGs to the livestock sector, if all the factors are considered." Even this is a low estimate. Everyone forgets a HUGE source of GHG, namely nitrous oxide emitted by chemical fertilizer, it is equal to a staggering 2/3 of the CO2 uptake of the crop fertilized.   more »