Two pieces on what the recession is doing to agriculture in dear old Blighty. Putting it back in the hands of the people, it seems, in the form of revitalized allotments and community supported farming. It will be interesting to see what these trends will mean for agricultural biodiversity, if anyone is monitoring that is. One would think they should lead to increased diversity — of practices, crops and varieties. Thanks to Danny for the tips.
Speaking of tubers …
“They’re the Ingrid Bergman to oca’s Marilyn Monroe.”
Rhizowen, the freshest new (old) voice in weird and wonderful veg is at it again with another go at Crap Crops of the Incas. This time the object of his adoration is ulluco. I wonder how they’d do on Vanuatu?
Nibbles: Paan, Homegardens, Yams, Apiculture, Sorghum, Asparagus, Vicuna
- Paan unwrapped — betel leaf, areca nut.
- “We were suffering; we had no food to eat so we tried to make a garden.”
- IITA comes up with technique to propagate yams through vine cuttings using carbonized rice husks as growth medium. Worlds beats path to Ibadan.
- The Virgin Fresh Apicultural Project is cool, but needs a new name.
- Sorghum makes big move from wallboards to gas and booze.
- Great Witley sweeter than Peruvian. No, not weed, dude.
- The vicuna: use it or lose it. They did, so they didn’t.
Nibbles: Kenya vegetables, Diet diversity, Armyworms
- Slumdog Veggiegrower. Via.
- Australians contend diets need to be diverse. Another shrimp placed on barbie.
- Great summary of the Liberian “armyworm” situation from CABI. And they say taxonomy is boring.
What would Thomas Jefferson do?
Polling is now open for the post of White House Farmer, the person who would be entrusted with digging up that precious lawn in order to grow fresh food for the First Family. There’s just one teeny problem. POTUS hasn’t said he wants his lawn dug up.