The Organic View

  As the already intense pressure increases for America to cut the umbilical cord from the Middle East, gas companies are desperately trying to find alternatives in our own back yard. With such slogans as “drill, baby, drill!” the public seems to be on board with the urgent need to find alternatives as soon as possible. In the Northeast, there is an area that extends throughout much of the Appalachian Basin called The Marcellus Shale. This area, located in the Northeast seems to offer the perfect resource to produce more gas and according to the gas companies, create new jobs. The shale contains largely untapped natural gas reserves and has now become the prime focus for energy development. The natural gas industry is spending millions of dollars to sell the merits of drilling for gas in the Marcellus Shale. The process of extracting the gas is called hydro-fracking or more commonly referred to as fracking. While it seems to be the perfect solution, just how safe is it? What exactly does fracking do to the environment? Is there any impact on our drinking water? What happens to your land if you do not wish to permit the gas companies to frack on your land but your neighbor does? In this segment of The Organic View Radio Show, host, June Stoyer talks to the councilman, Douglas Shields from the City of Pittsburgh and Brigit Shields of Marcellusprotest.org and will talk about their own personal experiences with fracking as well as what people need to know. Stay tuned!

  The best way to get people to understand something is to educate them. When it comes to Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO’s) there are many people who are tired of the corporate manipulation of the quality and purity of our food and are taking action. In the city of Boulder, Colorado, GMKnow.org was formed to create such awareness about GMO’s and educate people about what they can do. Their mission is to foster positive community change through positive citizen action. GMKnow.org is a group of activated citizens empowering people for local sovereignty and healthy food choices. They stand for banning genetically modified organisms (GMOs) from Boulder County public open space and educating people about their rights to choose Non-GMO foods. Boulder County has allowed GMO’s to be planted on publicly-owned open space since 2001 beginning with BT corn and/or Round Up Ready Corn. Close to 12,000 acres have been devoted to these particular crops. These GM crops have been treated with neonicotinoids which have contaminated the land, further devastating the declining bee population. GMO’s have made it onto the nation's radar screen after being released in the US food supply over 15 years ago without any consumer labeling. On October 1, The "Right2KnowMarch.org" kicked off in NYC and is now heading to Washington, DC on October 16. The march is advocating government-mandated labeling of GMO foods as it creates national awareness about the safety of food produced in America. In this segment of The Organic View Radio Show, host, June Stoyer talks to Scott and Mary Smith about GMKnow.org and how this community is working with others to make a difference. Stay tuned!

  Percy Schmeiser is well known activist that has been fighting hard to educate the public about GMO’s and the issues that arise for farmers. He was the first farmer to win a law suit against Monsanto. The landmark case, which went before the Federal Court of Canada, attracted international attention because it demonstrated the power of the farmer. When it comes to our food in American, there are no laws that mandate labeling for GMO’s. Consumers assume that the manufacturers are using ingredients that are safe and will not affect their health. Unfortunately, 80% of the packaged foods in America contain Genetically Engineered ingredients that have not been proven safe and are not labeled! The Right2KnowMarch.org which was organized to raise awareness for GMO-Labeling is a historic event that kicked off  on October 1st and will continue to October 16 Marchers from across the country will be walking from New York City to the White House, demanding labeling of all Genetically Engineered Foods. This event seeks to raise national awareness and create pressure in the 2012 election cycle for politicians to take positions and enact legislation requiring Genetically Engineered foods to be labeled. In many ways this march is the beginning of a new broad-based movement for GMO labeling. Percy Schmeiser will be speaking at the event about his experience and also to educate the public about why GMO labeling matters! In this segment of The Organic View Radio Show, host, June Stoyer talks to Percy Schmeiser about his advocacy about GMO’s and why there needs to be clarity with our labels. 

  When it comes to kids’ snacks, there are all sorts of products on the market that use everything from the latest cartoon superhero to pop music icons. However, all these clever marketers are doing is creating yet another generation of consumers that reach for junk as opposed to healthy, life sustaining organic good foods. Two moms, Liane Weintraub and Shannan Swanson decided to take matters into their own hands when they first launched Tasty Brands, which produces Certified Organic and Non-GMO snacks in the USA. Their line of snacks does NOT use high fructose corn syrup or GMO’s but uses organic sugar, agave and their line of organic cereal bars is made with both fruits and vegetables baked in.  Both Liane and Shannan are truly devoted to educating the public about GMO’s and are especially supportive of the Right2KnowMarch.org which is working towards changing the law to make all food manufacturers label GMO’s. Consumers in America have the right to know what is in the food they buy. If more people knew that the snack foods they are buying for their kids were made with GMOs the world would be a healthier place. In this segment of The Organic View Radio Show, tune in to host, June Stoyer as she talks to Liane Weintraub and Shannan Swanson about the importance of certified organic and gmo-free snacks and why consumers need to mandate GMO Labeling!

  There are many people that live in the city or even in the suburbs that talk about escaping their crowded community for the charmed life of the country, with the intentions of having their own “organic” farm or simply changing things in their own home environment. While this may seem like the thing to do, especially since there is so much need for each and every person to play their part, it is not necessarily the easiest transition to make. Especially when it comes to farming, it is not that simple. There are no Farming 101 college courses  or single reference point that can tell you all that you need to know as far as how to manage all of the responsibilities farm life requires. However, there is a great deal of information that is available as far as different options for creating your own sustainable and earth friendly environment. The main thing is to make a decision and learn as much as you can before you take the plunge. Even if you don’t necessarily want to have a farm but still want to do something as simple as creating a compost bin or start a vegetable garden, you still need the right information so that your time and money are well spent. In the book, Urban Homesteading, authors, Rachel Kaplan and K. Ruby Blume discuss everything you really need to know from how to make a compost toilet, starting a container garden, recycling grey water to 31 Uses for Beeswax and so much more. Whether you are interested in starting your own organic farm or just want to do things more sustainably and responsibly in your own back yard, this book offers so much information and guidance as far as what you need to know to get started. In this segment of The Organic View Radio Show, tune in to host, June Stoyer as she talks to Rachel Kaplan and Ruby Blume about creating your own “Urban Homestead”, stay tuned!

Just how much bottled water do you drink? Have you ever given it any thought that water is something that is free and plentiful; or is it? Is bottled water safer than tap water? Why is it that the giant beverage corporations are buying up land that host precious springs? What exactly is this doing to our environment? Is the surrounding eco-system being destroyed in the sake of capitalizing and exploiting this natural resource? In this segment of The Organic View Radio Show, host, June Stoyer will speak to author, Elizabeth Royte about the evolution of bottled water in our society and the politics of marketing something that is our birth right. Stay tuned!

  Most conscious consumers know better than to buy processed foods for themselves, much less for their pets. Especially with the pet food industry being a $53 billion dollar unregulated industry, more and more pet parents are opting to make their own pet food because of the issues with pet food recalls and incorporation of euthanized animals in the pet foods available on the market. However, making your own pet food is not as easy as one may think. There are certain foods you cannot feed your pets and making your own food doesn’t always guarantee that your finicky feline or canine will eat it.  In addition, the meals must be nutritionally balanced which is often a huge problem for many pet owners, especially if they are not given proper guidance by someone who has been trained in pet nutrition. Susan Thixton, Founder of TruthAboutPetFood, a world renowned authority on pet food decided to create an actual cookbook in conjunction with Dr. Cathy Alinovi, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. The best-selling book, Dinner PAWsible, which was recently released, has been eagerly anticipated by pet parents around the globe. In this segment of The Organic View Radio Show, tune in to host, June Stoyer talk to Susan Thixton and Dr. Cathy Alinovi about how you can make your own pet food that is completely balanced and nutritious. For great tips and ideas, stay tuned!

Percy Schmeiser is a canola farmer from Saskatchewan, Canada. He was the first farmer to win a law suit against Monsanto. This landmark case, which went before the Federal Court of Canada, has attracted international attention because it could help determine how much control a handful of powerful biotech companies can exert over farmers. Schmeiser believes this precedent setting agreement ensures that farmers will be entitled to reimbursement when their fields become contaminated with unwanted Roundup Ready canola or any other unwanted GMO plants. In this segment of The Organic View Radio Show, host, June Stoyer talks to Percy Schmeiser about his battle with this agro-chemical giant.

  Regardless of how much education is available, there is still such great need for continuous factual information to help the public understand what genetically modified organisms are as well as their impact. There is still a great deal of confusion as well as misinformation when it comes to understanding GMO’s.  What is the controversy surrounding their use? What impact does it have on farmers? Why should consumers be concerned, etc.? These are the very questions that Ken Roseboro addresses as he and his team educate the public in The Organic & Non-GMO Report. Some of the key questions they answer explain: How to produce non-GMO products from 'seed to shelf' How to prevent GMO contamination Connect with potential buyers of non-GMO and organic products Find non-GMO and organic ingredient sources See how companies succeed producing non-GMO products Ken is a journalist who has written extensively about GM foods, GMO testing, non-GMO certification, and identity preservation. His articles have appeared in leading agricultural and food industry magazines, including Natural Foods Merchandiser, Organic Processsing, Seed World, World Grain, American Food and Ag Exporter, Prepared Foods, Food Processing, Food Quality, European Food and Drink Review, Natural Products Industry Insider, and others. Ken is author of Genetically Altered Foods and Your Health and The Organic Food Handbook. He has also given presentations at many conferences, including the Organic Trade Association’s annual tradeshow, All Things Organic. Ken is a member of the board of directors of the Iowa Organic Association and a certification committee member of Global Organic Certification Services. Tune in to this segment of The Organic View Radio Show, as host June Stoyer, speaks to Ken Roseboro! Stay tuned!

When you buy a product, if you want to know what the ingredients are, it makes sense to simply read the label, right? Wrong! It is not so simple when it comes to finding out whether or not the ingredients used are genetically engineered. Unfortunately, there is no simple answer for Americans because it is not required that genetically engineered foods are listed.  In fact, every country in the EU, Japan, as well as fifty countries in total, with over 40% of the world population mandate labeling of GMO’s. So, why isn’t the United States on board leading the pack? Basically because the corporations who benefit from the sale of GMO’s can continue to increase their market share primarily because consumers have no way to tell whether or not the products they buy contain ingredients that have been genetically engineered. Without labels we won’t know what is genetically engineered and what is not. Soon everything will be contaminated. If more people knew what was in their food and the negative impact GMO’s cause, they would not spend their dollars purchasing products that contained genetically modified ingredients.  So what can consumers do about this? Starting this weekend, between October 1st and October 16th, marchers from across the country will be walking from New York City to the White House, demanding labeling of all GMO's, in what has come to be called the GMO Right2Know March. This event seeks to raise national awareness and create pressure in the 2012 election for politicians to take positions and enact legislation requiring GE foods to be labeled. In many ways this march is the beginning of a new broad-based movement for GMO labeling. In this segment of The Organic View Radio Show, host, June Stoyer will speak to David Bronner, President of Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps to talk about the importance of GMO labeling and what you need to know. Stay tuned! 

  Glyphosate is the most commonly used herbicide and is also one of the most controversial. Professor Don M. Huber has done extensive research warning that the widespread use of glyphosate has a negative environmental impact. This impact not only affects the soil and plants but can possibly affect the health of animals and human beings.   In this segment of The Organic View Radio Show, host, June Stoyer will speak to Professor Don M. Huber to discuss his research. Stay tuned!

  Most people take for granted that when they select a wine, the ingredients are going to be pure and natural. However, as most conscious consumers know, this is not the case. There are 200 ingredients on the list of government-approved additives for wine. However, unlike food, wine manufacturers aren’t required to list their ingredients (which can include animal proteins, oak chips, sulfurs, yeasts, enzymes, preservatives, and “Mega Purple” which is a brand of highly concentrated wine color) on the side label. This renders most consumers to be clueless about what exactly is in their wine and used to produce it. In the book, Naked Wine, wine expert, Alice Feiring explores these very issues as she discusses the process of natural wine making. She also explains some key questions that most consumers are confused about such as: What is the difference between natural and organic wine? What’s the connection between the natural food and the natural wine movement? When did winemaking stop being an “art” and become an industry? How much influence does “big business” really have in the wine world? In this segment of The Organic View Radio Show, host, June Stoyer will speak to award winning expert, Alice Feiring. Alice Feiring is an award-winning food and wine journalist and author of the Battle for Wine and Love. Formerly the wine/travel columnist for Time, she now writes for the New York Times, the San Francisco Chronicle, Conde Nast Traveler and theLos Angeles Times Magazine, among many others. Stay tuned!

Percy Schmeiser is a canola farmer from Saskatchewan, Canada. He was the first farmer to win a law suit against Monsanto. This landmark case, which went before the Federal Court of Canada, has attracted international attention because it could help determine how much control a handful of powerful biotech companies can exert over farmers. Schmeiser believes this precedent setting agreement ensures that farmers will be entitled to reimbursement when their fields become contaminated with unwanted Roundup Ready canola or any other unwanted GMO plants. In this segment of The Organic View Radio Show, host, June Stoyer talks to Percy Schmeiser about his battle with this agro-chemical giant.

  Biodiversity is something that clearly affects all species. Everything is connected to each other regardless of whether or not it is on a large or small scale. Sometimes the way we garden can actually improve our landscape and at times, can be disastrous. Such is the case with the introduction of invasive species such as Kudzu, Purple loosestrife, etc.   Nevertheless, there are choices we can make that can positively impact our landscape according to the plants we select and what we introduce into the landscape. Our choices not only affect our view of the land but can also impact animals, insects and microorganisms that are dependent upon the role of such plants. In essence, human beings have the power to sustain life or destroy it because of these choices. In this segment of The Organic View Radio Show, host, June Stoyer will speak to Dr. Douglas Tallamy about his magnificent book, Bringing Nature Home which explores the impact of our choices and what we can do to sustain wildlife in our own back yard! 

    Genius Of Place, The Life of Frederick Law Olmsted Abolitionist, Conservationist and Designer of Central Park is biography about an amazing man who is a key pioneer of landscape architecture in the United States. He not only created New York City’s infamous Central Park but also played a crucial role in the early efforts to preserve such treasured places as Yosemite and Niagara Falls. As most successful people know, greatness is not always easy to cope with. His personal life was one that had a myriad of heartaches and tragedies. Although he also suffered tremendous physical ailments and ironically spent his final days in an asylum, he accomplished more than most people could ever hope to in three lifetimes.   In this segment of The Organic View Radio Show, host, June Stoyer will speak to author Justin Martin about the life one of America’s most important environmentalists. If you are a history buff or just want to learn more about the people who contributed to the beauty of America, stay tune