Gigi Berardi reads some from FoodWISE—on organic, certification and farm programs, and farms contributing to community. As a follow up to previous vlogs, she highlights the USDA’s official, consensus forecast for agricultural markets, known as the World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates with Dr. Andrew Novakovic commenting (USDA’s Latest Dairy Forecast, and also on…
Category: Food
FoodWISE and controversy—fiscal solvency vs medical emergency
Gigi Berardi reads from FoodWISE and explains some of the controversy around organic—a lot of controversy around organic certification. The most immediate controversy for her and her immediate constituency—students—is: Will school be face-to-face this fall? That means colleges and universities. She offers two articles, one a vehement “Yes,” because universities lose their very identity…
FoodWISE, farmer and farm worker protection
Gigi Berardi reads from FoodWISE about the agricultural web—and labor is a big, big part of it. The Tri-City Herald talks about farm worker unions filing suit in Skagit County Superior Court to challenge state safety guidelines for field labor. This is explained more in the second article, with ramifications for labor and management. The…
Early research, organic farming (and related) systems—mine and others
I am writing an essay on early organic systems research (reporting on my research at Cornell University, and elsewhere). It will be published as part of a series of Contemporary World Issues handbooks, “Organic Food and Farming: A Reference Handbook” (ABC-CLIO). The following are some of the references for this paper that were omitted for…
Sustainability and information
Gigi Berardi reads on Our Shared World of Food and Farming—and what we really mean by “sustainable.” As we “stay home, stay healthy” here in Washington state, I am comforted by the fact that our governor refers to epidemiological models from the University of Washington. Modelling provides data, information—much needed now as we plan for…
FoodWISE, food deficits, rally for dairy
Gigi reads a few paragraphs from FoodWISE tonight, introducing the first part of her book: On the greater agricultural web of which we all are a part. It is important to keep the production side of the food chain in full operation during this time of coronavirus. Gigi says: rally the dairy—much of those dairy…
40% off e-FoodWISE (coupon info)!
Hello friends, followers, colleagues. This is a heart-felt note and request for an honest review of FoodWISE. You can use a 40% discount coupon (from my publisher—thank you North Atlantic Books, coupon: Foodwise40) for the ebook. So, I would love it if you would consider contributing an honest review of my book on Amazon, Goodreads,…
FoodWISE, coronavirus, hunger
Gigi Berardi reads from the Introduction to FoodWISE, and on how we need to be creative in our shopping and cooking choices—making do with less. This is especially true given our current Coronavirus pandemic. Those of us with resources—our country, in particular—need to plan for continued pandemic and serious supply chain shortfalls. By planning now,…
A Sane and Compassionate FoodWISE and EducationWISE—we are all in this together
Gigi Berardi reads about the importance of making sane food choices—yes, whole, informed, sustainable, and experience are all part of the consideration, but we also need self-compassion. Experience, practical wisdom, and practical knowledge contribute to good food choices. In these times, however, being resilient is just as important. This is true not only for our…
FoodWISE, resilience, and higher education
Gigi Berardi reads from FoodWISE, and talks about the importance of connection—such an important idea for all trying to be and stay resilient during these difficult times. She also talks about great challenges for the university. Will it “eat its seed?” which is a metaphor for the use of resources now that undermines availability (long-term…