Two weeks ago Reuters reported that a Republican congressman from Kansas introduced legislation on Wednesday that would nullify efforts in multiple states to require labeling of genetically modified foods. The bill, dubbed the “Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act” was drafted by U.S. Rep. Mike Pompeo from Kansas, and is aimed at overriding bills in roughly two dozen states that would require foods made with genetically engineered crops to be labeled as such. The bill specifically prohibits any mandatory labeling of foods developed using bioengineering. Critics have dubbed it the “DARK Act.” Dark stands for Deny Americans the Right to Know.

The Humane Farming Association (HFA) is the nation’s leading farm animal protection organization. They have been instrumental in securing the first ever felony convictions of veal industry leaders, blocking a major pig factory, and conducting the nation’s largest farm animal rescue. Recently, the HFA announced a new achievement: “It is with good reason that The New York Times declared our National Veal Boycott the most successful animal rights boycott in the United States. We are pleased to report that, again this year, HFA’s signature campaign has driven per capita veal consumption in the U.S. to an all-time low!”

Last week Reuters reported that home improvement chain Lowe’s Cos Inc will stop selling a type of pesticide suspected of causing a decline in honeybee populations needed to pollinate key American crops, following a few U.S. retailers who have taken similar steps last year. The class of pesticides known as neonicotinoids, or neonics, are sold by agrichemical companies to boost yields of staple crops but are also used widely on annual and perennial plants used in lawns and gardens. Scientists, consumer groups, beekeepers and others say bee deaths are linked to the neonic pesticides.

Officials in Greenburgh, NY are looking into designating park area into organic composting site. The Town proposal aims to reduce waste by as much as 30% and save taxpayers money. “…If the Landmark creates an organic recycling compost site on their property for their tenants it could generate significant momentum that could encourage more organic recycling throughout Westchester! If schools encourage source separation–if major land owners encourage their tenants to source separate –if major businesses and governments do the same —we will be able to REDUCE our waste and save significant taxpayer dollars. ”

In his latest newsletter, Dr. Mercola interviews Steven Druker, author of Altered Genes, Twisted Truth, a fascinating new book describing how GMOs came into being and have been allowed to permeate our food supply through illegal means and without legally required safety testing. From the article on www.mercola.com , “On January 24, a statement signed by 300 scientists, researchers, physicians and scholars was published in the peer-reviewed journal Environmental Sciences Europe, 1 asserting that there is no scientific consensus on the safety of GMOs. Moreover, the paper… states that the claim of scientific consensus on GMO safety is in actuality ‘an artificial construct that has been falsely perpetuated.’ The paper also notes that such a claim ‘is misleading and misrepresents or outright ignores the currently available scientific evidence and the broad diversity of scientific opinions among scientists on this issue.'”

Elisabet Sahtouris is an evolution biologist and futurist and the author of EarthDance, a wonderfully fascinating journey through the history of EarthLife (biological evolution) and then through the history of humanity to see how we humans have seen ourselves in relation to our living planet and what that means for us now. In her book Sahtouris asks, “Will we learn from Nature’s amazing four billion years of experience in creating healthy living systems to give ourselves the future of which we dream?”

Heather Callaghan writes on www.activistpost.com, One thing’s for sure: when Dr. Oz speaks, people listen. Many a healthfood store and tea shop owner have saluted him when he mentions their goods on air – and their stores fill up. In the past he has drawn cheers and jeers for his fluctuating stances on organic food and genetically modified organisms in the food supply. Today, he makes a very clear stance, as a concerned doctor, against the EPA’s pending approval of a new, toxic pesticide intended for use on genetically engineered crops like corn and soy – this country’s biggest crops and food ingredients.

First released in 2012, Seeds of Death – Unveiling the Lies of GMOs exposes the dangers of genetically modified foods and features leading scientists, physicians, professors, attorneys and activists. Directed and written by Gary Null and Richard Polotnesky, the film investigates the corruption surrounding GMOs and the deception being perpetrated against the world.

Has the food gardening bug hit you? If you’re not sowing seeds and tending tomatoes yet, your neighbors probably are. According to a report from the National Gardening Association, one in three American households are now growing food, which is a 17% increase from five years ago. The biggest jump has been from millennials – 18- to 34-year-olds – 63% more of them are gardening! For those of you who are now shin deep in radish greens, we commend you….