Rodale Institute is located on a 333-acre organic certified farm in Kutztown, Pennsylvania. The entire farm is devoted to research, education and certified organic production. The farm is perhaps best known for its Farming Systems Trial (FST), the longest-running U.S. experiment specifically designed to compare organic and conventional farming practices. FST was established in 1981 and attracts interest from scientists, farmers and lay visitors from around the world.

In addition to the research experiments, the farm’s production and demonstration areas offer visitors an opportunity to learn how agriculture can either contribute to environmental problems or be a significant solution in solving global warming, improving human nutrition and preventing famine throughout the world.

Rodale Institute has an informative page that addresses global warming. Rodale Institute research shows that organically managed soils can store (sequester) more than 1,000 pounds of carbon per acre, while non-organic systems can cause carbon loss. For consumers, this means that the simple act of buying organic products can help to reduce global climate change.

Success is relative: when backyard gardens beat industrial food
The majority of agricultural value in Russia (and 90 percent of total potato production) comes from backyard gardens, finds Dr. Leonid Sharashkin in his recent dissertation on the cultural and socioeconomic significance of gardening in Russia. This is encouraging news, since the Russian growing season is only 110 days long. Think of the possibilities in more hospitable climates! Full story: Energy Bulletin

On Mother’s Day, my mom can always expect a donation made in her name to Heifer Project International.  www.heifer.org  I have been doing this since I returned from the Peace Corps in 2000. Yes, Hiefer provides cute cards, and marketing to help make it fun for us, but hunger is a serious issue worldwide. Heifer project basic strategy is to “pass on the gift.” As people share their animals’ offspring with others – along with their knowledge, resources, and skills – an expanding network of hope, dignity, and self-reliance is created that reaches around the globe. I am frustrated by waste. The waste of food and over packaging of products. I get upset when I see people not recycling, and actually throwing away perfectly good food. I recently was upset while biking past a local apartment complex that was pulling out perfectly good poppy plants! This isn’t really related to hunger, but waste in general. Of course I returned later and asked the landscapers for a few of their “throw aways”.

Donating our extra vegetables can also be helpful in our communities. There are several ways that you can reduce food waste, and help those who are hungry in your communities. Even if you can’t donate actual food, you can donate your services by volunteering time. http://www.foodbankofsocal.org The Foodbank of Southern California serves hundreds of certified charitable community agencies daily throughout Southern California. Food is distributed to abused children and women shelters, crisis centers, childcare centers, homes for troubled youth, homeless shelters, substance abuse centers, senior centers, emergency box programs, soup kitchens, and food pantries. The Salvation Army http://www.salvationarmy-socal.org/content/view/420/92/ is also a good resource to find out where to volunteer. I suppose my point is to DO SOMETHING. Do something in your community. I am sure you can find a way to get connected.

This week, is also the US Postal Service http://www.helpstampouthunger.com/ will be conducting their annual food drive. Entering its 17th year, this year’s drive is May 9. The effort by letter carriers represented by the National Association of Letter Carriers (AFL-CIO), with the help of rural letter carriers, other postal employees and numerous other volunteers has resulted in delivery of nearly one billion pounds of donations to community food banks and pantries over the past 16 years.