GreenWatch

B. McPherson Water, the Blue Gold, will become the next global flashpoint. Texas is confronting New Mexico in the Supreme Court over water. Texas and much of the US interior has been struggling with multi year drought conditions and the lack of water is reaching a crisis point. Texas is maintaining that New Mexico is pumping water out of the ground at a rate that impinges on Texas’s supply and violates treaties agreed to. New Mexico for its part is maintaining that the most recent treaty was forced on them and they need the water for their purposes. This spat between states is a microcosm of what is happening around the world where potable water is concerned. While North America is engaged in a rush to extract oil and gas resources, and endangering the water supplies by pumping toxic chemicals under pressure into the ground(fracking), the country famed for its massive pool of oil Saudi Arabia, is rapidly running out of water. That kingdom has supplied petroleu...

B. McPherson Scenes taken on Sunday September 2nd at the Cedar Farmers' Market  Kiddies preparing racing zucchinis for the big race Local honey producer sells a sweet product Local farm produce. Note insecticide free veggies The 'Dahlia Man' is always in demand when his flowers are in bloom. Vine ripened tomatoes and hot peppers are the jewels of the garden.                                                     As the public gets educated about the advantages of buying local, the Cedar Farmers’ Market has thrived. They have a location on Yellowpoint Road at the sign for the Crow and Gate Pub. The farmers set up in a grassy field in May and continue to offer their goods for sale until late October.  Vendors put up tents in the early morning, by 2:30 the field reverts to its quiet state. In the meantime, sh...

By B. McPherson                                              Video: The Seven Myths of Industrial Agriculture One of the things that every person can do to help the environment is to purchase food in a mindful way.   The Union of Concerned Scientists is urging their fellow citizens to take an active interest in how their food is produced. They are urging Americans to participate and show support for a new farm bill that is expected to pass in 2012. There is a proposal to level the field for sustainable farmers who provide food to local markets. Currently, governments of the US and Canada are increasingly favouring industrial farming operations. Subsidies paid to big, monocrop operations disadvantage farmers who maintain mixed, sustainable and organic acreage. The routine application of chemical fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides, m...