Rootstock Radio

In part two of our interview with agricultural economist and scientific researcher Dr. Charles Benbrook, we discuss some good news in the world of organic: two studies from the United Kingdom that deal with the impact of organic production on the nutritional quality of food.

Bees, Dr. Benbrook explains today, are just one of many populations being disastrously affected by the pesticides that go hand-in-hand with the use of GMO crops. When asked if bees might be an indicator "like the canary in a coal mine" of what we should be paying attention to regarding the impact of our pesticide-intensive agriculture, Dr. Benbrook doesn't hesitate in his answer: "Absolutely." (Part 1 of 2)

For the past 23 years, Adam Schwartz has been serving cooperatives in different capacities, from public policy to in depth consulting with co-ops. As the founder of The Cooperative Way, Adam works to help co-ops succeed by using the co-op principles and values as a strategic advantage in the marketplace. Today he joins us to discuss the his work and U.S. cooperative movement.

Jan Rasikas, general manager of the Viroqua Food Co-op for 15 years and a founding board member of the Principle 6 Cooperative Trade Movement, works to empower her community through access to healthy food, economic viability, social responsibility, and environmental stewardship. (Rebroadcast)

In 2004, Organic Valley's Mission Executive Theresa Marquez had an idea: Earth Day deserved a meal. Enter Earth Dinner an Earth Day tradition that revolves around local, sustainable and organic food, paired with a meaningful discussion about our impact on the environment. Join Theresa as she discusses Earth Dinner's early beginnings, food traditions and Earth Day.

While soil agronomist may be unique job, it's vital to maintaining the health of Organic Valley farms. As a soil agronomist Mark Kopecky aids Organic Valley farmers in creating a healthy ecosystem from the ground up. Today he joins us to discuss the differences between organic and conventional soil systems.

With over 45 years experience in sustainable dairy production, Dr. Paul Dettloff, DVM helps Organic Valley farmers harmonize the health of their animals with the soil. Joining us today, Dr. Paul discusses what's changed in organic animal care throughout the years.

As Organic Valley's Ruminant Nutritionist Dr. Silvia Abel-Caines, DVM travels around the country helping Organic Valley farmers improve the nutrients available in their pastures. Today she joins Rootstock Radio to discuss why cow's nutrition is important to us humans.

Jeff Moyer executive director of the Rodale Institute discusses Rodale's on-going 30-year study which has revealed that organic soils better retain water in times of drought. "We find so many exciting and fascinating results when we start looking at what happens when we change the health of the soil," said Moyer.

Dr. Guy Jodarski, one of Organic Valley's staff veterinarians joins us to discuss holistic and organic animal care. In addition to animal care, we speak with Dr. Guy about two recent studies released by Newcastle University that show organic milk and meat contain 50% higher levels of beneficial omega-3 fatty acids.

For 27 years, the Midwest Organic Sustainable Education Service (MOSES) has offered farmers, consumers and the general public workshops, training and information about organic and sustainable farming. Executive Director Faye Jones joins us to discuss the upcoming 27th annual MOSES Organic Farming Conference in La Crosse, Wisconsin.

"We're not minimizing our [financial] risk, but we're maximizing quality in a lot of cases, and we're maximizing to me the creativeness that can come into farming." Hear University of Wisconsin-Extension grazing specialist and Organic Valley farmer member Dr. Rhonda Gildersleeve discuss the science and art behind organic farming.

Looking for more from Frances Moore Lappe? Listen to part 2 of her Rootstock Radio interview as she discusses her new book, "World Hunger: 12 Myths."

Frances Moore Lappe has been a thought leader in the good food movement since the 1970s. Today, she discusses her new book, "World Hunger: 12 Myths" and examines the world food situation by defining what hunger is and how much food we currently produce. She discusses nutritional stunting and its long term impact, the mythology and language around the idea that the U.S. can and must feed the world, and the false promise of new technologies such as GMOs.

Wendell Berry is the author of the now-famous quote that inspired Michael Pollan: "Eating is an agricultural act." Berry is an environmental activist, farmer, and author of more than 40 works of fiction, non-fiction and poetry. One of his most famous books is The Unsettling of America, written in 1977. In this episode, he speaks candidly with us about his boyhood.