tagged w/ Dorothee Royal
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OrganicNation.tv is an exploration of the American sustainable food landscape focusing on the people, places and products that are shaping a new green economy and lifestyle. From farmers to urban gardeners, teachers to restaurant owners, we're traveling the country to document how sustainable food systems are being created.
We'll be exploring such fundamental questions as: What does “organic” mean and how are products certified? What do scientists say about the risks of chemical pesticides and fertilizers on human health? What are the costs of switching to organic production and is it affordable for farmers and consumers? Is organic better than local or vice-versa? Can organic food production feed the nation and is it truly sustainable?
http://www.OrganicNation.tv was created as a one-stop resource to help consumers navigate these complex issues:
* The OrganicNation blog keeps you to date on the latest food policy and sustainable living news
* OrganicNation videos feature candid interviews with farmers, scientists, business people and activists
* The OrganicNation Community Map helps you find resources in your neighborhood and across the country
Join us as we explore America's sustainable food landscape - we look forward to your comments, questions and ideas along the way!OrganicNation.tv is an exploration of the American sustainable food landscape focusing... more
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We visited Thorpe Family Organic Farm in East Aurora, New York where Gail Thorpe shared how her farm is sustained through support from her local community. She also showed us how to plant tomatoes using a transplanting machine!
For more videos visit: http://www.organicnation.tvWe visited Thorpe Family Organic Farm in East Aurora, New York where Gail Thorpe... more
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At The Organic Summit in Stevenson, Washington, we got a chance to speak with Curtis Ellis, the producer of "King Corn" about his new film which addresses agriculture and water contamination. Look for the film, titled "Big River" when it's released this fall.
More info about King Corn: kingcorn.net/
For more videos visit: http://www.organicnation.tvAt The Organic Summit in Stevenson, Washington, we got a chance to speak with Curtis... more
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One thing many people realize after they start visiting farmer's markets frequently or join a CSA is that they often have more fresh produce on hand than they can eat. That's why canning and preserving is regaining popularity among the sustainable foodie set.
We caught up with blogger/foodie/activist Rachel Weidinger, who also happens to be an expert preserver, at her Homegrown Village booth at MakerFaire 2009 in San Mateo, California. She showed us how to preserve fresh lemons with salt so they will last a year and taste delicious added to omelets, hummus, salads and pasta.
Special thanks to Homegrown.org and FarmAid for putting on this great event! You can fiind more tips from Rachel on her blog AKitchenOfHerOwn.com or follow her on Twitter @Rachelannyes.
For more visit: http://www.organicnation.tvOne thing many people realize after they start visiting farmer's markets... more
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In our latest video, we catch up with Chad Kennedy, Head Brewer at Portland's Laurelwood Public House and Brewery. Portland is of course known for its beer and microbreweries, and the Portland beer scene has been swept up in the organic movement in recent years (which is why the North American Organic Brewers Festival was held in Portland over the weekend).
Laurelwood wasn't the first certified-organic brewery in Oregon, but it has been the longest lasting. Chad and his brewers have two organic brews, the the Free Range Red and Tree Hugger Porter, and if Dorothee and Chad seem a bit happier than usual, it's because we had the pleasure of tasting during the shoot.
Chad walked us through the whole process of brewing organic beer, and to our surprise he told us that hops aren't actually organic in organic beer. The barley -- another key ingredient -- is all-organic, but the hops are not. The USDA only requires that 95 percent of the ingredients in certified-organic beer are themselves organic, and because organic hops are in very short supply right now, conventional hops are often used in certified-organic beer.
For the full story, click "play" on the video player above, and check out the rest of our videos here: http://www.organicnation.tv/videos.In our latest video, we catch up with Chad Kennedy, Head Brewer at Portland's... more
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While visiting the Olympic Peninsula during our West Coast KickOff Tour, the OrganicNation.tv crew stayed on the beautiful Colinwood Farm in Port Townsend, Washington, which has been certified organic since 1989. Over the course of a week, farm manager Jesse Hopkins showed us the ins and outs of running the mid-size farm and explained how greenhouses allow him to grow crops through the cold months of the year. In this video, we follow the life-cycle of an organic zucchini plant from seed to harvest.
For more videos visit: http://www.OrganicNation.tv.While visiting the Olympic Peninsula during our West Coast KickOff Tour, the... more
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One of our favorite stops during the OrganicNation.tv KickOff Tour was in Portland, Oregon at Ladybug Organic Coffee Company. Owner Angel O'Brien made us her signature "Ladybug Latte" and took us to back to her "garbage" room, which is really a place to sort recycling and compost.
This well-beloved organic coffee shop only has five-to-eight pounds of landfill trash per week, which is significantly less waste than most households produce in a few days! Not only is this one of greenest coffee shops around, the food and drink is delicious. They make all their offerings, including bagels, from scratch using all organic ingredients. If you live in Portland or are passing through, be sure to check out their full organic breakfast!
Music by: Mark Andrew Boyer
For more info: http://www.myspace.com/ladybugcoffee
For more videos visit: http://www.OrganicNation.tvOne of our favorite stops during the OrganicNation.tv KickOff Tour was in Portland,... more
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Did you know that conventional seeds are often sprayed with more pesticides than the vegetables they come from? While in Port Townsend, Washington, the OrganicNation.tv crew stopped at Organic Seed Alliance headquarters to talk with researcher and seed geneticist John Navazio. He brought us to Nash Organic Produce Farm where he's working to breed healthy and robust organic spinach varieties. In this video, John explains why organic seed is important and why you can't just sow any seed for a healthy crop!
For more information about the Organic Seed Alliance visit: http://www.seedalliance.org/
For more videos visit: http://www.OrganicNation.tv
or follow us on twitter: http://www.twitter.com/OrganicNationDid you know that conventional seeds are often sprayed with more pesticides than the... more
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While in Chicago, the OrganicNation.tv crew stopped at Uncommon Ground, a restaurant in the Edgewater neighborhood that focuses on seasonal, regional and organic food and boasts the first certified organic rooftop farm in the nation!
As we toured the roof, we learned about the benefits of super local produce, the challenges of farming so far off the ground and got to sample some honey from the restaurant's rooftop bee colony!
For more info about Uncommon Ground visit: http://www.uncommonground.com/
For more videos visit: http://www.OrganicNation.tvWhile in Chicago, the OrganicNation.tv crew stopped at Uncommon Ground, a restaurant... more
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Can you turn pollution into food? That's what Aquaranch in Flanagan, Illinois is doing with their innovative aquaponics farm. OrganicNation.tv visits the high-tech facility which uses fish waste as fertilizer for organic herbs and vegetables.
Myles Harston of AquaRanch Industries has been working with aquaponics 1992. At his innovative facility, he grows tilapia and a wide variety of certified organic vegetables including lettuce, kale, chard, herbs, tomatoes, and hot peppers. Myles is hoping to become certified for organic fish production as soon as that standard, currently under development, is finalized by the USDA.
Because all inputs can be measured throughout the lifespan of the tilapia, Myles can guarantee a product free from heavy metals like Mercury (which wild-caught fish are often exposed to in our oceans and lakes) and free from hormonal manipulation. Many people are not aware that farm-raised fish often undergoes a sex change to the gender which grows the fastest. For example, in tilapia, the males grow faster so conventional producers change all the females to male. At Aquaranch, Myles spawns the fish himself to ensure that his process is all-natural.
While touring the facility, it occurred to me that Aquaponics could be a great solution for urban land-locked environments in need of safe, fresh food. Myles mentioned that this process could be done in old warehouses with rainwater collected on the rooftops!
For more videos visit: http://www.OrganicNation.tv
Follow us on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/OrganicNationCan you turn pollution into food? That's what Aquaranch in Flanagan, Illinois is... more
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While visiting Chicago's Green City Market earlier this summer, the OrganicNation.tv crew came across a wheatgrass stand. The nutritious juice made from sprouts of the common wheat plant is packed with vitamins and minerals and is even thought to have unique curative properties.
Click on the link above to view the video!While visiting Chicago's Green City Market earlier this summer, the... more
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