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The big drift: Researchers working to keep organic crops clean
Published
13 years agoon
By Deb Courson Smith
Pollen goes where the wind blows – and for organic producers in Montana, pollen from genetically modified crops is an ill wind.
Big Sky Country is a top producer of organics which easily can be contaminated every time the wind shifts, especially when planted near genetically modified crops.
A coalition of nonprofits, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and several seed companies are breeding new types of corn with the hope that it will not cross-pollinate with the genetically modified corn. It may also be successful for other crops, such as wheat.
Walter Goldstein, a research program director at Michael Fields Agricultural Institute, describes the problem.
“Being at the mercy of the wind, in terms of being able to produce a crop, it’s not a very good situation.”
The research is also aimed at trying to make the corn more nutritious, Goldstein says, both for humans and as a livestock feed. He notes that the pollination issue has made it hard for organic corn farmers to make a living, especially in states with large plantings of genetically modified corn.
“Pollen does escape, and it does pollinate the corn of neighboring farmers who don’t want to grow transgenic corn.”
A solution needs to be found, says Goldstein, as more acreage across the nation is devoted to the altered crops and as seed companies are continuing to consolidate, leaving farmers with few supplier choices.
Megan Paulson is the Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Outlaw Partners.
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Saturday, March 23rd 6:00-8:00pm We will combine the heart-opening powers of cacao with the transcendental powers of breathwork and sound. Together, these practices will give us the opportunity for a deep
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We all are familiar with using a limited palette, but do you use one? Do you know how to use a
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We all are familiar with using a limited palette, but do you use one? Do you know how to use a limited palette to create different color combinations? Are you tired of carrying around 15-20 different tubes when you paint plein air? Have you ever wanted to create a certain “mood” in a painting but failed? Do you create a lot of mud? Do you struggle to achieve color harmony? All these problems are addressed in John’s workbook in clear and concise language!
Based on the bestselling “Limited Palatte, Unlimited Color” workbook written by John Pototschnik, the workshop is run by Maggie Shane and Annie McCoy, accomplished landscape (acrylic) and plein air (oil) artists,exhibitors at the Big Sky Artists’ Studio & Gallery and members of the Big Sky Artists Collective.
Each student will receive a copy of “Limited Palette, Unlimited Color” to keep and take home to continue your limited palette journey. We will show you how to use the color wheel and mix your own clean mixtures to successfully create a mood for your paintings.
Each day, we will create a different limited palette color chart and paint a version of a simple landscape using John’s directives. You will then be able to go home and paint more schemes using the book for guidance.
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Come join us at Cowboy Coffee as we celebrate a fun night of drinks, games, and meeting others within the community. This event is from 6-8 and all are welcome
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Come join us at Cowboy Coffee as we celebrate a fun night of drinks, games, and meeting others within the community. This event is from 6-8 and all are welcome to come, if you don’t know who to bring come alone this is a great mixer event! This is an event hosted by Big Sky OUT as we work to provide queer safe spaces throughout the community.
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