June 8th, 2011

When the German government reported a few days ago that sprouts from an organic farm in Northern Germany may be the source of the world’s worst E. coli outbreak, it prompted strong reaction from some organic advocates.

Manure provides farmers a source of nitrogen for fertilizer, but it may also spread pathogens.

The Cornucopia Institute, a Wisconsin-based farm policy group, issued a news release noting that the meat industry appears to be the biggest source of trouble when it comes to super-toxic pathogens.

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June 3rd, 2011

Could it be manure, again? If the E coli outbreak in Europe turns out to have come, ultimately, from infected manure/fertilizer that contaminated vegetable crops, it will be little surprise. I’m out on a limb here, because we don’t yet know the source of the contaminated food. But many previous outbreaks have pointed that way.

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August 7th, 2009

By Shermakaye Bass
Green Right Now

Okay, here’s the poop on cow power: Dairy farmers from Wisconsin to Vermont are learning that they – and their bovine partners – can produce more than milk and manure. By converting the methane from cow patties into electricity, rural farms can provide their community with power – and in the process, eliminate the odors associated with dairy farming.

“The neighbors like it,” quips Steve Costello of the Central Vermont Public Service (CVPS)’s Cow Power program, which supplies 4,000 customers with the help of 6,000 cows. “You can have a barbecue on the Fourth of July without worrying the dairy farm next door is going spread some manure and wipe everyone out!”

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