What are gmo seeds?

Last Updated on Friday, 1 April 2011 09:22 Written by Phillip Friday, 1 April 2011 09:22

If you are someone who loves to spend time perusing seed catalogs, you may have noticed some companies are noting their “non-GMO seeds”. GMO stands for genetically modified organism. Without going into a whole lot of scientific gobbledygook, I’ll try to give you a short explanation. In the mid 70′s scientist started working with the genes of rice, in order to create a better food product. As they learned more about manipulating genetics, they were able to create new seed strains that were better at everything from being disease and pest resistant, to the ability to produce more fruit. This science quickly took off and involved everything from human to animal food. With the explosion of these new types of foods, also came more people questioning the effects of these genetically modified foods on humans. There are studies showing no negative effects , as well as studies showing positive effects for humans.
Those who are against GMO seeds, also rail against the fact that most of these seeds are being developed by the Monsanto company. The Monsanto company funds much of this research that has been done on GMO plants. The company name has become a buzz word for many in the hardcore organic movement, for all things evil. The fact is, that Monsanto has also developed many products that have helped people all over the world.
I am not God, so I don’t know who is right on this issue. I have not seen enough evidence on either side to make that decision. It is my opinion that you need to follow your own belief system when deciding if you want to purchase GMO seeds. I do know that more and more progressive seed companies will offer a line of non-GMO seeds along with their standard seeds. If you think GMO seeds are going to have an adverse effect on your health, then buy non-GMO seeds.

Growing healthy food for you and your family

Last Updated on Saturday, 19 February 2011 12:58 Written by Phillip Friday, 18 February 2011 07:37

Growing your own food can mean many things to many people. To some it immediately sounds like that four letter word….WORK. To others it sounds like something fun, and to others it’s a lifestyle choice. I was lucky enough to grow up in a family that always had a garden. Though mostly out of necessity, it was also a way to keep my 9 brothers and sisters occupied when they seemed to have to much free time. Of course as a child, because the garden was always there I never gave any thought as to why. To me it was a only place to get vegetables for my 4-H project at the county fair. I never thought about the taste of those vegetables, because I didn’t have anything to compare them to. Of course when I left home, I knew that I would never have to garden again. It wasn’t until I had children of my own, that I had a garden again. To my surprise I had forgotten just how how good a fresh bean, pea or any other vegetable tasted. In the next few blogs I will help you get started or improve your vegetable growing.

What’s the dirt, on dirt?

Last Updated on Thursday, 3 February 2011 08:44 Written by Phillip Thursday, 3 February 2011 08:44

The soil food web

While growing up on the farm I knew that the earth was the essential element from which we literally survived on. It provided us and our livestock with vegetables from the garden, fruit from the trees and all plant material necessary for our animals to thrive. It wasn’t until I got into the greenhouse growing, that I really analyzed and understood what soil is.