The Green Earth Book Award

Thank you to the Nature Generation for selecting THE STORY OF SEEDS as the Green Book Earth Award winner for YA Nonfiction! 

Happy Earth Day! 

For the complete listing of all the winners. 

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The Reading List

I am so excited to spend some time this week reading! I've finished two very hectic months of book festivals, conferences, and school visits, and now I can settle back into spending time researching my next Houghton Mifflin title and READING!

On my list -- I just purchased Lab Girl by Hope Jahren. Even though I spent years researching THE STORY OF SEEDS and spending time with botanists and other seed scientists, the subject will stay with me forever. And this book looks beautiful. 

Following that theme - I'd love to read Elizabeth Gilbert's Signature of All Things. These three would make a great trilogy! 

On the kid lit front: 

I also downloaded the audio book of The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brusker Bradley. This book has been on my TO READ list since it came out. I am so happy to have the time now to listen to it. 

OK to GMOs?

What brings me back to this blog?  A new report on GMOs has been released by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine on genetically engineered crops.  This quote was cited on CBS This Morning: "...no substantiated evidence that foods from GE crops were less safe than foods from non-GE crops." Monsanto and other companies selling GE seeds are basking in this validation.

But, it also determined that genetically engineering crops did not produce substantial yields as the companies promised.  This was the main reason for producing them in the first place.
So, both sides are claiming a victory here.

But there is a bigger picture --  the impact of GE crops on our environment.  The impact on biodiversity is vast.

Most of what we eat is genetically modified -- 90% of US corn, soybeans, and sugar beets.

And what about labelling? We still deserve to know what we are eating and the ability to make our own choices.

I feel like we are race horses with blinders on speeding ahead without looking around us. My only hope is that this, and other studies, further our discussion on this subject.



Read more about genetically modified seeds in THE STORY OF SEEDS: From Mendel's Garden to Your Plate, and How There's More of Less To Eat Around The World.

Community Garden - Seedling Shopping Day!

The garden has been weeded, tilled and raked. It's set to plant! But with frost warnings popping up throughout the month I haven't planted anything yet.  It's now May 20th and it's finally warm enough. Seedling shopping day!

Shopping List:

Zucchini
Basil
Black Cherry Heirloom tomato
Sungold Heirloom tomato
Jalapeño
Cilantro
Swiss Chard
Russian Kale
Mixed zinnias

Tomorrow - Planting day!!!!

Community Garden Day 2

Every garden owner must sign up for a time to mow the pathways. This was our week.  Nancy went down ahead of me and did it. Not only did she take care of the mowing, but she tilled our plot. YAY NANCY!!!   I was left with some clean-up -- and the raking and leveling. It looks ready to go - we just need to plan it out now.

I've been researching some varieties that work well in our area. So far on my list - Russian or green kale, zinnias, and zucchini.

More to come!  

Great Famine Spud Returns!

With St. Patrick's Day just a week away I thought this an interesting time to share some news I learned about the Lumper.  Hmmm, it's not ringing a bell?  Well, the Irish Lumper was the potato species behind the Great Hunger.  And the Lumper is in the news again! Thankfully, the news is not dreadful.  On the contrary, the Lumper is making a comeback after 170 years!

The Irish Lumper was known for it nutritional value.  It was introduced to Ireland in the early 19th century, and, as you all know, met a dire fate with the onset of the blight that wiped out the Lumpers in the 1840s.  A farmer decided to try to bring back the Lumper five years ago.  Last summer Michael McKillop of Glens of Antrim Potatoes took the Lumper to the Delicious Ireland consumer show and was amazed by the positive reception it recieved.

The Irish Famine was one of the worst environmental/agricultural disasters in history.  Who could imagine that the Lumper would ever be found on tables again?

Read more about the Iris Famine in Susan Campbell Bartoletti's book, Black Potatoes.  And keep an eye out for the Lumper  -- you might find it at a grocery store soon.