Eco-Fashion: Sol Inspirations, a Minnesota-based nonprofit, has launched a new labeling campaign for sustainable clothing. The campaign is designed to create a comprehensive high standard of sustainability to allow conscientious consumers to support ethical designers. Certification requires designers and shops to demonstrate that 95 percent or more of their materials or organic or recycled or that the piece meets the fair-trade criteria set forth by the Sol Inspiration board of apparel industry experts and environmental scientists.
Corn Harvest: The corn farmers of Minnesota managed to avoid the worst of the drought this year, and are now set to harvest the best corn crop of any major grain-producing state. Although the drought did significant damage to this year's crops, the toll in Minnesota was less severe than elsewhere thanks in part to heavier rains early in the spring and a brief reprieve from the drought in mid-summer. The decision by many farmers to harvest early also proved important. Worries remain, however, regarding the possibility that the fungus aspergillus could taint part of the corn crop. Corn in dry conditions is less able to fight off the fungus, which produces aflatoxin that can poison livestock and cause cancer in humans. Farmers are encouraged to have their grain tested before sale.
Showing posts with label drought. Show all posts
Showing posts with label drought. Show all posts
Sunday, October 7, 2012
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
DNR Restricts Water Withdrawal.
It's getting dry in the Land of Ten Thousand Lakes- so dry that the Minnesota DNR is taking measures to restrict water usage.
As water levels in rivers and lakes have declined in the face of the long drought, a number of recreational and industrial facilities have been required to suspend pumping from waterways. Although the facilities hold permits that allow them to extract water, these same permits include clauses requiring that such pumping be cut back if water levels fall too low.
"Last week we sent out 16 letters.
And there was one in Hubbard County, Blue Earth, one in Martin, several
in Polk, to surface water users. And they were told then to stop pumping
water as of last Thursday midnight," said Julie Ekman, DNR water
regulations unit supervisor.
While most of the cutbacks are for recreational facilities such as golf courses, industrial water users including Southern Minnesota Construction, Minnesota Pipeline Company, and American Crystal Sugar have been affected as well.
Over half of the state is now in drought, with the south and the northwest being hit particularly hard. DNR climatologist Greg Spoden says that a little rain will not be enough.
“This will take multiple, ample autumn rains for us to replenish our soil moisture reserves,” he said.
More water permits are likely to be suspended if the drought does not relent, said Ekman.
Image Source: MPR
As water levels in rivers and lakes have declined in the face of the long drought, a number of recreational and industrial facilities have been required to suspend pumping from waterways. Although the facilities hold permits that allow them to extract water, these same permits include clauses requiring that such pumping be cut back if water levels fall too low.
 |
| American Crystal Sugar, in Moorhead, is affected by the shortage |
While most of the cutbacks are for recreational facilities such as golf courses, industrial water users including Southern Minnesota Construction, Minnesota Pipeline Company, and American Crystal Sugar have been affected as well.
Over half of the state is now in drought, with the south and the northwest being hit particularly hard. DNR climatologist Greg Spoden says that a little rain will not be enough.
“This will take multiple, ample autumn rains for us to replenish our soil moisture reserves,” he said.
More water permits are likely to be suspended if the drought does not relent, said Ekman.
Image Source: MPR
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Quick Hits- Frogs, Student Hunger, and Wind
Frogs
Research at North Dakota State University is finding a correlation between habitat availability and gene pool size in northern leopard frogs. Gene pool size is important because a large, diverse gene pool creates a more resilient population that can overcome stresses and adversity more easily. This research may prove valuable as frogs experience habitat loss from the conversion of marshes and prairies into crop production (driven by high food prices), and dry conditions strangle wetlands.
Student Hunger
With youth unemployment high, college debt a crushing burden, and a degree not quite worth what it used to be, college graduates have become a small but growing demographic of the recipients of the Supplemental Assistance Food Program, more commonly known as food stamps. The program is currently at a record high of over 46 million recipients. Although these students are a small minority of those in the program, their participation is growing at a rate faster than that of people their same age with less education (and less debt).
Wind
The Twin Ports (Duluth-Superior) are experiencing a boost in shipping as wind farm projects across the country rush to finish construction before a federal tax incentive ends. The incentive, which provides a break of 2.2 cents per kilowatt hour, is to expire at the end of the year. While the wind industry has seen significant growth in recent years, roughly doubling its capacity between 2008 and 2011, the end of the tax credit could spell hardship for the industry.
Image Source: National Park Service
Research at North Dakota State University is finding a correlation between habitat availability and gene pool size in northern leopard frogs. Gene pool size is important because a large, diverse gene pool creates a more resilient population that can overcome stresses and adversity more easily. This research may prove valuable as frogs experience habitat loss from the conversion of marshes and prairies into crop production (driven by high food prices), and dry conditions strangle wetlands.Student Hunger
With youth unemployment high, college debt a crushing burden, and a degree not quite worth what it used to be, college graduates have become a small but growing demographic of the recipients of the Supplemental Assistance Food Program, more commonly known as food stamps. The program is currently at a record high of over 46 million recipients. Although these students are a small minority of those in the program, their participation is growing at a rate faster than that of people their same age with less education (and less debt).
Wind
The Twin Ports (Duluth-Superior) are experiencing a boost in shipping as wind farm projects across the country rush to finish construction before a federal tax incentive ends. The incentive, which provides a break of 2.2 cents per kilowatt hour, is to expire at the end of the year. While the wind industry has seen significant growth in recent years, roughly doubling its capacity between 2008 and 2011, the end of the tax credit could spell hardship for the industry.
Image Source: National Park Service
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