The movie Food, Inc. has been getting a lot of reviews since it was released a few weeks ago. Many critics like what the movie has to say about the state of our food system; others aren’t as enamored. But perhaps the most important review I’ve read so far was penned by my 10-year-old neighbor, Will. After all, if true change in our food and farming system is to come about, it’s Will’s generation that needs to get the message. Here’s his take on the film: (more…)

U.S. Rep. Bart Stupak has introduced a resolution to clarify the Congressional view of the Great Lakes Compact which the eight states including Minnesota passed, and Congress approved last fall. H. Res. 551, he says, is designed to quell concerns that two provisions in the Compact could be exploited by private interests to sell off large amounts of Great Lakes water without oversight by the states.

From Stupak’s release: “I continue to have concerns that the Great Lakes Compact is not strong enough to protect the Great Lakes against diversions through privatization, commercialization and exportation,” Stupak said. “There is no question that Congress intended for the compact to protect Great Lakes water but the wording of the compact leaves some question. That is why I have introduced this resolution to put Congress on record in opposition to the exploitation of Great Lakes waters.”

By Ethan Fawley, transportation connections coordinator, Fresh Energy

On June 11, the Minnesota Environmental Partnership hosted the first forum for the 2010 gubernatorial race, and transportation and land use were key issues in the discussion. Two gubernatorial candidates explicitly mentioned (and others echoed the sentiments) the need to finalize the Building Sensible Communities bill as an important part of simultaneously addressing global warming pollution and other quality of life issues such as air pollution, congestion, personal transportation costs, and dwindling open space.
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If you have ambitions of launching a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farm anytime soon, or even if you’ve already started one and need some guidance now that the reality of raising food for other human beings has set in, an event being held next Thursday (June 25) is right up your alley. (more…)

During the past several months, some in the pork and poultry industry have asked the USDA to spend millions of dollars of tax money to  stabilize low prices caused in part by overproduction. Here’s the kicker: the USDA continues to guarantee loans to new and expanding CAFOs, the very operations contributing to the overproduction. The phrase, “the left hand doesn’t know what the right hand is doing” comes to mind. At least you hope that’s all that’s going on. (more…)

The May 26 Minnesota Crop Progress Report contains a troubling note: “Strong winds eroded soils and damaged newly emerged crops in some areas.” That’s Dust Bowl talk, and like the Dirty Thirties, we can’t blame it all on natural causes. A lack of diverse crop rotations is making our land more vulnerable than ever to extreme weather. Unfortunately, recent actions at the Capitol could send even more soil airborne. (more…)

News from Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness:

The PolyMet mine site was identified as important habitat by the Forest Service and the DNR in the late 1990s, as part of the Superior National Forest Plan revision process.

For more information, visit the Friends website.

Conservation Minnesota this week is launching its second year of regular reporting on summertime public beach conditions in Minnesota. Using data from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s Lake Superior monitoring program and our own research on conditions at inland beaches scattered across the state, we’re trying to develop a picture of the health of Minnesota’s recreational waters as they affect swimmers, and to help get the word out about any beach closings or advisories.

Exposure to pathogens can be a health problem at public beaches, as the Minnesota Department of Health notes. For example, in in 2001 there were over 3,000 confirmed cases of infectious diseases, including Giardia, Campylobacter, Shigella, Salmonella, e.coli and more.

Reader information — suggested beaches to check on, news about advisories or closings, or summertime beach stories and memories are all welcome. Simply contact dave@conservationminnesota.org or cmstaff@conservationminnesota.org.