Bad federal policy and intensifying storms are washing away the rich dark soils in the Midwest that made this country an agricultural powerhouse and that remain the essential foundation of a healthy and sustainable food system in the future. The Environmental Working Group produced this short film with Atlas Films that provides stark images illustrating how federal farm subsidies and ethanol mandates, piled on top of skyrocketing crop prices are supporting an intensive monoculture that kneecaps any hope for a more resilient and diverse food and farm system. Go to www.ewg.org/losingground/ for more information.
Breaking ground May 8, 2010 on the final two Habitat for Humanity homes at a 15-home development in Olympia, Washington USA. Video clips by Paul Peck, copyright 2010.
hometips.gregvan.com I referred to a quote in the Bible and its true, you should always build your house on solid ground. Whenever I look at soil around someone's home, I get a pretty good idea what kind of problems they could encounter, especially if the soil is expansive. Expansive soil can create a lot of problems for a building foundation and the rest of your home. Watch this video for more information about building your house on solid ground, like rock, clay or sand. Like everything else in the world, starting with a good foundation and building upon it could create a product that will last a long time.