Friday Research Review

1) Making the Transition from Conventional to Organic Farming Using Conservation Tillage in Florida (source: Agronomy Department, University of Florida)

“Organic farming is one of the fastest-growing segments of agriculture in the U.S. and in Florida. Making the transition from conventional (strip till using genetically modified crops) to organic farming does not have to be filled with obstacles. National Organic Standards can be found on the National Organic Program web site at http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop. Even though there are many advantages to organic farming, it is a business and there are ways to get started that can ensure success.”

2) Environmentally Green Communities (source: Green Communities)

“Green Communities is a five-year, $555 million commitment by Enterprise to build more than 8,500 healthy, efficient homes for low-income people and make environmentally sustainable development the mainstream in the affordable housing industry.

Green Communities provides funds and expertise to enable developers to build and rehabilitate homes that are healthier, more energy efficient and better for the environment — without compromising affordability. Green Communities also assists state and local governments to ensure their housing and economic development policies are smart and sustainable. Green Communities homes are built according to the Green Communities Criteria, the first national framework for healthy, efficient, environmentally smart affordable homes.”

3) My Pyramid for Older Adults poster helps increase nutrition knowledge (source: University of Florida)

“Eating well as you age can be tricky. You generally need fewer calories, but the foods you do eat must pack a nutritious punch. With that in mind, faculty at the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences adapted the federal government’s MyPyramid poster for older Americans in February 2007. Researchers then tested the poster’s effectiveness in increasing nutrition knowledge at six lower-income senior centers in North Central Florida.”