• Farmers, Land Groups Seek Moratorium on Biotech Wheat
  
• Nation's Governors Strategize for Rural Communities
  
• Public-NGO Team Protects Twin Cities' Pine Bend Bluffs
  
• Cancer Widower Funds Environmental Genomics Research
  
• Northeast Farmers Offered Eco-Label Certification
  
• Environmental Justice Tribal Park a Winner
  
• Pinatubo Eruption Affected Arctic Climate
  

Farmers, Land Groups Seek Moratorium on Biotech Wheat

The petition filed Tuesday with USDA's Animal Plant Health Inspection Service was signed by Dakota Resource Council, Northern Plains Resource Council, Family Farm Coalition, Northern Plains Sustainable Agriculture, the Western Organization of Resource Councils, North Dakota State Senator April Fairfield and Montana State Senator John Tester.

The Center for Food Safety filed the petition on behalf of the interested parties.

At issue is a GM strain of hard red spring wheat that is resistant to herbicide created by Monsanto, a global leader in the development of genetically modified crops. The company submitted a petition for commercialization of its Roundup Ready wheat variety in December 2002.

The petition filers are concerned that some countries have indicated they would not allow imports of the GM wheat. The filers fear the introduction of Monsanto's GM wheat could thus cause economic hardship for all American wheat farmers.

The groups cited a new report by Iowa State University agricultural economist Robert Wisner that found prices of hard spring wheat could drop by 33 percent to 52 percent if GM wheat is commercially introduced into Montana or North Dakota in the next two to six years.

"I'm as interested in technological innovation as any farmer, but I also need to protect the value of my crop," said Tom Wiley, a North Dakota wheat farmer, speaking on behalf of WORC.

The groups want an economic impact statement, said North Dakota wheat farmer Tom Wiley "so that we can make sure we're not stepping over dollars to get dimes."

The United States is a leading producer of wheat and the world's leader exporter of the grain. More spring wheat is grown in North Dakota than any other U.S. state.

North Dakota and Montana are the nation's top organic wheat producers and some farmers fear this could be jeopardized if organic wheat supplies are contaminated by GM wheat.

In addition, the filers seek USDA compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act, the Migratory Bird Treaty and the Plant Protection Act.

Monsanto officials said the company is committed to responsible introduction of the product and does not want to disrupt markets when it is introduced.

Nation's Governors Strategize to Strengthen Rural Communities

The paper, "Innovative State Policy Options to Promote Rural Economic Development," concludes that states which support "industry clusters," promote entrepreneurship, and encourage value added agriculture and agricultural diversification efforts, will be well positioned to create sustainable and replicable economic development.

States are employing clustering strategies to invigorate rural communities. Clusters are concentrations of competing and cooperating companies, suppliers, service providers, and associated institutions such as the computer and software cluster in Silicon Valley, California.

"It is inspiring to see that states are taking the initiative to invest in the future of our rural and agricultural communities. Kentucky has seen an emergence of rural entrepreneurs through investments in the Rural Innovation Fund and especially in our Agricultural Development Fund which touches producers in every county in the Commonwealth," said NGA Chairman Kentucky Governor Paul Patton.

One strategy uses diversification and value added agriculture to strengthen rural economies.The report notes that farmers have recognized that they can earn more income by diversifying - growing different types of crops or raising non-traditional species of livestock.

Farmers are directly processing their crops into finished products that they market and sell themselves - the value-added strategy at work. States can provide the capital and technical assistance that allow farmers to follow these new paths to wealth creation.

"However they are formed and implemented, rural economic development policies must build upon the inherent strengths of rural America, chief among them are abundant natural resources, close-knit communities, strong local business networks, and a largely untapped tradition of entrepreneurial creativity," the report concludes.

"There is still much work to be done to ensure a sustainable rural economy for future generations, Governor Patton said. "As a nation, we have embarked on a long-term investment that demands not only the commitment of the individuals involved in these programs, but a commitment that must continue in future governors, congressmen, and citizens throughout America."

Public-NGO Team Protects Twin Cities' Pine Bend Bluffs

Located between Highway 52 and the Mississippi River in Inver Grove Heights, the newly protected natural area consists of 168 acres of wooded hillsides, wetlands, and prairie patches.

The Metro Greenways program, established to protect key open space and natural areas in the Twin Cities Metropolitan Region, provided the critical funding necessary to acquire the property. The Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul are fortunated. Proposed state budget cuts have put similar metro-wide conservation efforts in the future at risk.

Dakota County identified the bluffs as a high conservation priority in its Farmland and Natural Areas Protection Plan approved in 2002. Establishing this new protected area culminates years of work by the Friends of the Mississippi River, Trust for Public Land, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, and a regional coalition of open space advocates.

Friends of the Mississippi River (FMR) played a critical role in identifying and cultivating landowner interest in the project, presenting landowners with conservation options and helping to generate funding through grants and other outreach.

The Trust for Public Land (TPL) helped to identify an overall protection strategy for the site, facilitated the real estate and legal issues pertaining to acquisition of some of the property, provided $50,000 for the purchase, and assisted in communicating the vision for fundraising efforts.

Both nongovernmental organizations advised the citizen led successful Dakota County Farmland and Natural Area referendum. The City of Inver Grove Heights, Dakota County, and the Metropolitan Council also provided funding.

"Pine Bend Bluffs is one of the few remaining jewels. It's an incredibly beautiful and undisturbed place right in the middle of the metro area," said Tom Lewanski, FMR's conservation director. "It is one of the highest quality natural areas in the Twin Cities region, and its location next to the Mississippi River makes it extremely valuable as habitat."

"It has taken years to develop the level of sophistication we have in Minnesota to respond to conservation opportunities like this," says Susan Schmidt, Minnesota director of the Trust for Public Land. "Complex land protection efforts depend on a variety of government and nonprofit organizations working together, contributing individual expertise and funding. We need to ensure that open space remains a part of our urban landscape. Minnesota is fortunate to have the Scientific and Natural Areas Program and Metro Greenways Program to be able to protect valuable open space within the Twin Cities."

Cancer Widower Funds Environmental Genomics Research

Some people exposed to second hand cigarette smoke develop lung cancer, while others do not, and scientists believe subtle variations in the human genetic blueprint may be responsible for the difference. Under a new program at the UCLA Jonsson Cancer Center and the School of Public Health researchers will attempt to determine what predisposes some individuals, but not others, to develop cancer after contact with environmental pollutants.

The $1 million program is being funded with a gift from Pacific Palisades resident Art Alper, who made the donation in memory of his late wife, Ann Fitzpatrick Alper. The Ann Fitzpatrick Alper Program in Environmental Genomics will be headed by Dr. Robert Schiestl, a professor of pathology, environmental health and radiation oncology.

Art Alper's gift is being augmented with a gift from the Kenneth Jonsson Family Foundation. UCLA's Jonsson Cancer Center Foundation is also augmenting the donation, bringing the gift to $1 million.

"We'll investigate the molecular mechanism by which environmental agents such as air pollution, pesticides and radiation cause cancer and why a certain sub-population of people are more sensitive to these environmental exposures than the general population," Schiestl said.

"With knowledge about the mechanism of this interaction between environmental exposure and genetic predisposition, it's our goal to develop improved biomarkers of exposure, to identify people at increased risk and to design nutritional and chemical interventions to counteract the development of cancer, especially in those with increased sensitivity."

An environmental activist who drove a hybrid car, Ann Fitzpatrick Alper developed lung cancer although she had not smoked since she was a college student in the early 1950s. Smoking alone could have caused her cancer, or it may have been a combination of other environmental factors.

About 95 percent of the nearly 2.5 million Americans who will be diagnosed with cancer this year have no known genetic predisposition to the disease. Researchers believe these people develop malignancies due to complex interactions between their genes and their environment.

If scientists can uncover the chemical and biological cascade that results in cancer, they can potentially stop the disease before it occurs. The goal is to discover what specific combination of an individual's genetics and factors such as diet, air pollution, exposure to tobacco, or sensitivity to sunlight, result in disease.

Northeast Farmers Offered Eco-Label Certification

Certified products can be identified by the Food Alliance eco-label. In order to be certified, farms and ranches must meet strict criteria for pesticide reduction, soil and water conservation, wildlife habitat protection, safe and fair working conditions, and the humane treatment of animals.

Food Alliance is the fastest growing eco-label in the United States, with more than 175 growers of 42 crops certified in 12 states.

Commenting on the Northeast expansion, Food Alliance executive director Deborah Kane said, "I'm thrilled to have this opportunity with Earth Pledge. Together we'll work with farmers, retailers, food service companies, restaurants, vineyards and others to build supply and demand for sustainably produced foods."

Costa Fruit and Produce, the Northeast's biggest wholesale produce company, has agreed to offer Food Alliance certified products to customers throughout New England.

"Now, as we grow," Kane said, "consumers nationwide will have access to a wide variety of Food Alliance certified products; food they can trust because it's met a rigorous set of environmental and labor standards."

Environmental Justice Tribal Park a Winner

One of only 15 projects selected nationally for this honor in 2003, the Environmental Justice award, announced Monday, recognizes projects that best exemplify effective collaborative partnerships between communities, governmental agencies, and other stakeholders working on solutions to environmental justice issues facing communities.

Environmental justice is achieved when everyone, regardless of race, culture, or income, enjoys a healthy environment in which to live, learn, and work, according to the National Wildlife Federation (NWF).

The National Wildlife Federation-Cheyenne River Sioux project, a working partnership between the NWF Tribal Lands Conservation Program and the Cheyenne River Game, Fish and Parks Department, seeks to increase tribal autonomy and self determination through the creation of a Cheyenne River Sioux Tribal Park.

Working with input and guidance from NWF and federal agencies, the Cheyenne Sioux intend to create a 21,500 acre preserve in the heart of their reservation lands in South Dakota.

"The Cheyenne River Sioux are committed to achieving what no other group or agency has tried - conserving and restoring the American prairie on a grand scale," says Stephen Torbit, director of the NWF Rocky Mountain Natural Center and its Tribal Lands Conservation Program.

Depending on the success of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribal Park, tribes in Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, and Colorado could follow the tribe's example of prairie restoration coupled with economic benefit.

The Tribal Lands Conservation Program website is online at: http://www.nwf.org/rockymountain/triballands.html.

The Office of Environmental Justice is found at: http://www.epa.gov/compliance/recent/ej.html.

Pinatubo Eruption Affected Arctic Climate

A study team headed by Georgiy Stenchikov, a researcher at Rutgers University's Department of Environmental Sciences, found that temperature changes caused by a radiative effect of volcanic aerosols in two lower layers of the atmosphere, the troposphere and the stratosphere, can lead to a positive Arctic Oscillation phase.

The troposphere extends from Earth's surface to an altitude of seven miles in the polar regions and expands to 13 miles in the tropics. The stratosphere is the next layer up with the top at an altitude of about 30 miles.

For two years following the Mount Pinatubo eruption, the Arctic Oscillation caused winter warming over land areas in the high and middle latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere, despite a cooling effect from volcanic particles that blocked sunlight.

One mission of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Earth Science Enterprise, which funded this research, is to better understand how the Earth system responds to human and naturally induced changes, such as large volcanic eruptions.

"This study clarifies the effect of strong volcanic eruptions on climate, important by itself, and helps to better predict possible weather and short-term climate variations after strong volcanic eruptions," said Stenchikov, lead author of a paper detailing the research that appeared in the latest "Journal of Geophysical Research."

A positive phase of the Arctic Oscillation has slowly strengthened over the few last decades and has been associated in prior research with observed climate warming.

"The study has important implications to climate change because it provides a test for mechanisms of the Arctic Oscillation," Stenchikov said.

A positive phase of the Arctic Oscillation is associated with strengthening of winds circulating counterclockwise around the North Pole north of 55 degrees N, that is, roughly in line with Moscow, Belfast, and Ketchikan, Alaska. In winter these winds pull more warm air from oceans to continents causing winter warming, and like a top spinning very fast, they hold a tight pattern over the North Pole and keep frigid air from moving south.

The study uses a general circulation model developed at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory to simulate how volcanic aerosols following the Pinatubo eruption impacted the climate.

In the troposphere, volcanic aerosols reflect solar radiation and cool the Earth's surface, decreasing temperature differences between the equator and the North Pole in the bottom atmospheric layer.

In the stratosphere, volcanic aerosols absorb solar radiation, warm the lower stratosphere - about 15 miles above the Earth's surface - and increase stratospheric temperature differences between the equator and the North Pole.

Both sets of phenomena help to create a positive phase of the Arctic Oscillation.

In previous research, an observed positive Arctic Oscillation trend has been attributed to greenhouse warming that led to an increase of stratospheric temperature differences between equator and pole. But this study finds that tropospheric temperature change in the course of climate warming may play an even greater role.

When aerosols get into the stratosphere, the researchers found, very rapid reactions that destroy ozone, especially in high latitudes, take place on the surfaces of aerosol particles. When ozone gets depleted, less ultra-violet radiation is absorbed in the stratosphere. This cools the polar stratosphere, and increases the stratospheric equator-to-pole temperature difference, creating a positive phase of the Arctic Oscillation.