The Organic & Non-GMO Report Newsletter

California Supreme Court upholds couple’s $86 million award in Roundup cancer lawsuit

California’s highest court recently rejected a challenge by Monsanto Company to a lower court’s award of $86.2 million to a couple who developed cancer after using the company’s Roundup weed killer in their yard for three decades. The state’s Supreme Court’s denial of review upholds an appeal court’s ruling in favor of the couple, Alva […]

National Organic Agriculture Directory lists organic researchers, extension staff

A directory listing researchers and extension staff working in organic agriculture—based on the 2020 survey—is now available through Iowa State University. The National Organic Agriculture Expertise Directory sent surveys to the Land-Grant University (LGU) in each state when the first directory came out in 2005. The growth of organic agriculture is clearly demonstrated in the […]

As-needed pesticide use brings wild bees, preserves corn profits, and reduces pesticides by 95%

A study from researchers at Purdue University indicates an as-needed approach to pesticides can boost some crop yields while attracting beneficial wild pollinators. The study compared impacts of integrated pest management (IPM) versus conventional pest management. A regionally dominant row crop (corn) was co-produced with a pollinator-dependent crop (watermelon). A 95% reduction in pesticide treatments […]

University of Wisconsin now offers Certificate in Organic Agriculture

Undergraduate students of any major at University of Wisconsin-Madison can pursue the newly launched Certificate in Organic Agriculture. In addition to organic agriculture production, the program’s focus extends to economic, environmental, health, food systems, and policy arenas. The certificate could increase the employment opportunities for UW students in organic agriculture businesses, policy, product and non-governmental […]

17 major food manufacturers ranked on growing investment risk posed by use of pesticides

As You Sow has released a second edition of Pesticides in the Pantry: Transparency & Risk in Food Supply Chains, examining the growing risk to food companies due to pesticides in supply chains. The report scored 17 major food manufacturers on 28 indicators to measure their effectiveness in reducing pesticide risk and improving agricultural resiliency. […]