Goal For The Green

Soil to Sky!

Oct-3-2012 By Barbara Zak

I wanted to pass along a new info-graphic that was just designed for The Christensen Fund. The graphic takes a look at how we can feed the world without destroying it by using a holistic type of agriculture. It goes on to compare the current high-input industrial system with a renewed vision for agriculture called the Agroecological system.

With much of our nation in a drought and food prices soaring, I hope you find this as interesting as I do. It seems, we all need to think about becoming self sufficient, even when it comes to the food we eat.

Infographic: Soil to Sky: Agroecology vs. Industrial Agriculture

Click this link to view the info-graphic full size
http://blogs.worldwatch.org/nourishingtheplanet/infographics/
This link is to a very explanatory article about the graphic
http://blogs.worldwatch.org/nourishingtheplanet/feeding-the-world-sustainably-agroecology-vs-industrial-agriculture/

As you will notice, agroecology can help protect and restore degraded soils, improve biodiversity, decrease pollution, and encourage communities to learn and become more involved in agriculture, no matter what the terrain is like, or the soil condition. This is because, agroecology operates within the natural organization of an environment. It can create diverse agricultural systems, that are more resilient to dramatic weather events, making it an increasingly sound and viable option for feeding the world, no matter what the climate is like. This is something that can be implemented NOW, not years from NOW!

Take your time and look the article and the graphic over. Your comments are encouraged and appreciated, especially on such an important topic.

Together we are working toward a better tomorrow and a “greener” future!

Posted in: Climate Change, Food, Sustainability

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What Do Ladybugs Eat?

May-25-2009 By Barbara Zak

Most ladybugs are voracious, mighty little predators. They are often referred to as a “gardener’s best friend.” This is because they can effectively control garden pests that are harmful to both our vegetable and flower gardens.

: Image via Wikipedia

Ladybugs eat mostly aphids, (a small green soft bodied insect that thrives on plant juices), mites and scales. All of these types of insects are harmful to many crop plants, and are considered to be serious pests to plant life in general. Even as larva, ladybugs eat aphids, and other soft bodied insects such as mites, white flies, and scale insects that can devour a garden. There are some species of ladybugs that can be considered as vegetarian, preferring to eat mushrooms and various forms of fungus. Some like to dine on mildew, while others do prefer eating leaves, and may become a pest to some plants.

The majority of ladybugs, however, are not considered to be pests. They can effectively keep a garden aphid and pest free, making them a natural and chemical free form of pest control. In many areas they can be purchased to help keep your garden pest free.

It’s as amazing, as it is wonderful that by what this little creature eats, it is helping us humans, by keeping the food that we grow and eat pest free!

See where the cutest ladybugs live!