Against Monsanto

I'm going to put this link right here. Link.

CT NOFA, or the Connecticut Northeast Organic Farming Association, is one of my favorite nonprofits in the state. The link is to their latest blog post regarding Monsanto's stance on GMO testing. There's also a further link provided in their blog that will lead you to studies that have been done on GMO testing.

Largely, my issue with GMOs is that buying GMO-laden foods supports companies like Monsanto who clearly do not have the public health in mind considering their long history as a chemical company, their cyclical abuse of power in their contracts with the farmers who have become dependent on their products, and their patenting of foods which are necessary for human survival. Monsanto is a corporation with only the almighty dollar in mind, and I use my dollar to vote against them by buying mostly organic, often locally produced, and non-GMO foods.

Understandably, not everyone can afford organic, and many people live in "food deserts." As an AmeriCorps volunteer earning a monthly stipend, I can sympathize - most of my money goes to rent and food, and I have little left over for other things. That's the choice I've made. I do, however, have access to multiple grocery stores and farmer's markets, so I take advantage of these things.

Plus, I'll be taking part in a CSA for the first time this year. CSAs, or Community Supported Agriculture, are a great way to support small farms with diversified crops, and to bring healthy, whole foods to your table. Consider finding one in your area, or checking out any farmer's markets.

 Some quick tips on avoiding GMOs:

• Buy organic
• Purchase a CSA share from a farmer who doesn't grow GM produce
• Read labels - anything derived from soybeans or corn is most likely genetically modified
• Avoid processed foods - a large percentage of them contain GM soy or corn
• Read the PLU labels or produce labels - any five digit number starting with "8" is a GM piece of produce
• Grow your own produce - even if it's just a small amount, you can purchase heirloom seeds online
• Purchase grass-fed beef
• Buy wild caught fish

Here's a link that goes further in depth, including listing foods that most likely contain GMOs.

It's with our dollars and with our voices that we can temper the strength of powerhouses like Monsanto.

Happy Foraging!

Weekly Wrap-Up, Mar 7

The gears have been turning in my head...which doesn't always translate to action. I have a lot going on, so I am motivating myself to step it up! The Public Allies Team Service Project is kicking into high gear - March and April are it!!! GBAPP is having its City Kidz Got Skillz event in late May - and I am the lead organizer. Also, the GBAPP website is getting revamped, and I am responsible for the content. I am looking for summer employment, as GBAPP has asked me to come back for a second year in the Public Allies program - woot! But, this means figuring out income for the time between June and September. Also, I have plans for opening an online store. And gardening season is arriving! Yikes!

1. In other news, yesterday was Otter the Quadrapus' first birthday. It was a wonderful excuse for Lover and I to indulge in ice cream sandwiches. 
2. I finished designing the invitation for the "Bridgeport Beautifies" kick-off! The event is for our partners and our volunteers. I am super excited!
3. I worked on revamping my resume and writing a cover letter for a potential summer job position. It's kind of agonizing.
4. I had carnivorous plant seeds germinating in the fridge for six weeks, and I finally switched them over to a pot in the windowsill. I'm not sure this is going to work, but I am willing to try.
5. I face painted at the CT NOFA Winter Conference in Manchester! What a great conference filled with workshops and superb vendors. I met a beekeeper and spent some time discussing his self-built hive and way of keeping bees. Can't wait to try it for myself!

 In lesser news, I finished reading the StrengthsFinder book assigned to us in Public Allies. It read like a large infomercial for the StrengthsFinder test, but the test results are fun, as they often are. My highlighted strengths were:

• Maximizer (someone who focuses on assets and pushes ahead even in the light of mistakes or failure), 
• Positivity (someone who encourages others and helps to keep the situation in a positive light), 
• Input (someone who researches and organizes information),
• Intellecter (a person who enjoys reading theory, philosophy, and intellectual discussions) and 
• Learner (a person who absorbs new information and enjoys learning and applying new skills). 

That pretty much sums me up when it comes to work.

How was your week?