Is Cellulosic Ethanol the Next Big Thing in Renewable Fuels? – January 5, 2015

Ongoing efforts to commercialize this clean energy source may lead the US to a more independent energy future

For a long time it seemed like turning the inedible parts of plants into a commercially viable biofuel, known as cellulosic ethanol, was nothing more than a pipedream. The enzymes needed to release sugars from cellulose — the fiber that forms plant structure — to be fermented into ethanol were inefficient and expensive. And the cellulose found in virtually every plant, flower, tree, grass, and bush is by its very nature evolved to withstand decay.

Photo by Dustin Oliver, on Flickr Corn stover, which includes a residue of stalk, leaf, husk, and cob left behind following… more

by: Sena Christian

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Across the US, Cities Struggle to Figure Out How to Accommodate Urban Farming – October 2, 2014

Widespread interest in urban agriculture is forcing local authorities to re-examine rules that prohibit farming in cities

Sacramento has worked diligently over the past two years to brand itself as America’s farm-to-fork capital, hosting local food festivals, wine tastings, and gala dinners featuring the city’s premier chefs. Tickets for this year’s dinner, at $175 dollars each, sold out in five minutes. The Sacramento Convention and Visitors Bureau has even organized a cattle drive and tractor parade through downtown.

photo by Robert Couse-Baker, on Flickr Sacramento has its share of farmer’s markets, but there are no urban farms within the city limits

Sure, nearly 1.4 million acres of farmland… more

by: Sena Christian

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Thousands Converge on Sacramento for Anti-Fracking Rally – March 17, 2014

Governor Brown’s support for fracking has alienated his environmentalist base

SACRAMENTO — A busload of people from San Diego awoke early Saturday and hit the road as one of 20 buses from across California headed to the state capitol. The buses were full of passengers eager to express their concerns with hydraulic fracking and urge Gov. Jerry Brown to place a moratorium on this controversial form of oil and natural gas extraction.

Photo by Cole AllenPeople from all over California converged on the capitol in Sacramento March 15 for an anti-fracking rally that organizers said is the largest one in the state to date.

“No freaking fracking!” protestors chanted throughout the… more

by: Sena Christian

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Large Scale Farming Without Toxic Pesticides is Still a Distant Dream – July 15, 2013

Chemical fumigant use in California highlights the challenges of scaling up eco-friendly and economic alternatives

When the manufacturer of methyl iodide pulled the pesticide off the United States market in 2012 after years of public outcry from farmworkers, environmental groups, and top scientists, proponents of pesticide-free farming felt the wind of change had begun. The science — and the people — had spoken: Methyl iodide as a proposed replacement for the fumigant methyl bromide, an ozone depleter being phased out by an international treaty, was not really a worthy alternative at all. But the road to toxic-free farming is a long one and this battle was only the beginning. 

Photo by Jonathan Winslow/Farm Fuel Inc.A bed-top biofumigant application on a… more

by: Sena Christian

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Learning from Nature: Using Bioengineering to Save Water Bodies – February 5, 2013

California city’s efforts to stabilize creeks with plants are part of a larger paradigm shift in public works initiatives

Donna Wilson believes when you love something you should give it a name. So when she and a few other regular visitors to a greenbelt along Linda Creek in the city of Roseville, CA discovered a gathering of western pond turtles sunning themselves on an oak tree that had fallen across the creek back in 2010, they named the spot Turtle Grove in honor of the threatened species. “I got a degree in anthropology,” Wilson says, as she stops to look at the spot on a recent afternoon. “Anthropology is a love of culture, and I see this creek and greenbelt as a culture, a community.”

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by: Sena Christian

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