Sustainable A to Z
I
Insect Pheromone Disruption
Insects such as moths can have devastating effects on crops and many farms use pesticides to control them. Sustainable farmers employ an ingenious alternative called insect pheromone disruption. Insects release sex hormones called pheromones during their mating cycle as location signals. Farmers confuse the insects by hanging pheromone-scented baits in their orchards or fields. When they are unable to find the opposite sex, the insects cannot reproduce. This is just another way ecological farmers avoid using toxins on their fields.
Articles
Glossary
Artisanal
The term “artisanal” implies that products are made by hand in small batches, but the term is unregulated and sometimes used by large manufacturers.
Biodynamic
Biodynamic farming views the farm as a living organism. In addition to organic practices such as crop rotation and composting, biodynamic farmers rely on special plant, animal, and mineral preparations and the rhythmic influences of the sun, moon, planets, and stars. The term is not regulated, but some biodynamic products are certified by Demeter Association.
Cage free
This unregulated term suggests that eggs are laid by hens permitted to roam in the henhouse (but not necessarily with any access to the outdoors).
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Resources
Farmers market info, urban homesteading links, and food access organizations. Find it here.
CUESA's Sustainability Frameworks
These documents spell out guiding principles and best practices in sustainable food production.