Dan Charles appears in the following:
Can Wal-Mart Really Make Organic Food Cheap For Everyone?
Saturday, April 19, 2014
The giant retailer says it's adding a new line of organic food that's at least 25 percent cheaper. But a large-scale production and supply of organic food likely can't be achieved overnight.
Plant Breeders Release First 'Open Source Seeds'
Thursday, April 17, 2014
Scientists and food activists are launching a campaign to promote seeds that can be freely shared, rather than protected through patents and licenses. They call it the Open Source Seed Initiative.
Polio Hits Equatorial Guinea, Threatens Central Africa
Thursday, April 17, 2014
The two cases are the first in the country since 1999. The virus spread from neighboring Cameroon. When polio is on the move in Central Africa, the toll can be tragic.
The Future Of Clean, Green Fish Farming Could Be Indoor Factories
Monday, April 07, 2014
Aquaculture in the U.S. has lagged because of opposition from environmentalists and people living on the coast. But entrepreneurs say they've found a way to produce fish on land with little pollution.
Farmers Need To Get 'Climate Smart' To Prep For What's Ahead
Thursday, April 03, 2014
Climate change will likely hurt food production, raise food prices and increase hunger. But those calamities may not be inevitable, according to a group of international agriculture researchers.
Food Giants Want 'Sustainable' Beef. But What Does That Mean?
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
McDonald's says it will start to buy beef that's "verified sustainable" in 2016. But defining sustainable beef production is tricky because the environmental issues involved are so complex.
Top 5 Ways Asparagus, A Rite Of Spring, Can Still Surprise
Thursday, March 13, 2014
Did you know how fast these green shoots, the season's iconic vegetable, can grow? Or that they come in male and female versions? Or that what we eat in the U.S. is mostly now grown abroad?
In The New Globalized Diet, Wheat, Soy And Palm Oil Rule
Tuesday, March 04, 2014
People around the world are eating a wider range of foods. But as a whole, we are increasingly reliant on a few crops. Researchers say that increases the risk of agricultural disaster.
Why The 'Non-GMO' Label Is Organic's Frenemy
Friday, February 28, 2014
Non-genetically modified farming is not organic. It's a whole lot cheaper and essentially uses conventional farming techniques. But some consumers think they're the same thing.
Chickens That Lay Organic Eggs Eat Imported Food, And It's Pricey
Thursday, February 27, 2014
America's farmers aren't growing enough organic corn and soybeans for our organic animals. Farmers in China, India and Argentina are filling the gap, but tight supplies have led to shortages.
Soil, Weedkillers And GMOs: When Numbers Don't Tell The Whole Story
Monday, January 27, 2014
Numbers don't lie, but they can sometimes tell a misleading story. Three times in the past week, we came across farm statistics that painted a picture not quite backed up by facts on the ground.
A Green-Movement Website Shakes Up The Debate Over GMOs
Friday, January 10, 2014
If you're confused by the fight over genetically modified food — and even more if your mind is already made up — you might want to turn to an investigation of the topic carried out by the environmental website Grist. Instead of preaching to the deep-green choir, Grist's in-depth series questioned its faith.
Top German Chocolate Maker Fights For Its 'Natural' Reputation
Tuesday, December 24, 2013
A well-respected consumer advocacy organization in Germany claims that Ritter Sport's popular chocolate product contains synthetic aroma. It has ignited a fierce court battle. But Ritter Sport says the aroma is natural, extracted from plants like dill or vanilla.
Call the FBI! China Is Trying To Steal America's Seeds!
Friday, December 13, 2013
In two apparently unrelated cases this week, federal prosecutors arrested citizens of China and charged them with stealing seeds that American companies consider valuable intellectual property. Court documents offer an entertaining mixture of Midwestern farming, alleged corporate espionage and a whiff of international intrigue.
FDA Moves To Phase Out Remaining Trans Fats In Food Supply
Thursday, November 07, 2013
The agency says trans fats, found in partially hydrogenated oils, raise the risk of heart disease. Even though food companies have drastically reduced their use of the oils, you can still find trans fat in microwavable popcorn, Crisco and all kinds of mass-produced baked goods.
Why Are Pig Farmers Still Using Growth-Promoting Drugs?
Monday, November 04, 2013
There's a curious twist in the contentious debate over feeding antibiotics to animals in order to make them grow faster. Evidence suggests using antibiotics for growth promotion, at least among pigs, doesn't even make economic sense. But some pork producers don't believe it.
Are Farm Veterinarians Pushing Too Many Antibiotics?
Friday, November 01, 2013
When it comes to antibiotics on the farm, it's not always a win-win. And when there's a fight, veterinarians are right in the middle of it, pushed back and forth by conflicting loyalties.
Heat, Drought Draw Farmers Back To Sorghum, The 'Camel Of Crops'
Thursday, October 31, 2013
Consumers in search of novelty are turning to once-obscure grains like quinoa, spelt and sorghum. But sorghum's great virtue for farmers is the fact that it can thrive with so little water.
Buffett Family Puts Money Where Their Mouth Is: Food Security
Monday, October 28, 2013
In a new book, billionaire investor Warren Buffett and his son and grandson discuss how to feed a growing planet. "We've been fortunate to make a whole lot more money than anybody can spend intelligently on themselves, so the object is to spend it intelligently on the rest of the world," says the senior Buffett.
Kansas Farmers Commit To Taking Less Water From The Ground
Monday, October 21, 2013
Water from the Ogallala Aquifer is withdrawn about six times faster than rain or rivers can recharge it. Now, a group of farmers in one part of northwestern Kansas has agreed to pump 20 percent less water out of the aquifer over the next five years.
