The evening primrose flowers are so excited about the visits of the tiny yellow canaries that they have sent out a small blooming flower at the top of one of the less dead spires of dry seedpods. There are about a hundred or so pods on each plant, during the sunny afternoon it looks like there are twittering yellow flowers...actually it is a half ( Read more... )

Notes from an article on Kathe Siedel, a great controversial Plant biologist and Master gardener who discovered the purifying effects of many plants, all useful for natural sewage treatment and land detoxification.( more on Siedel )

Today I found out that there are several species of Jatropha that have edible seeds from Mexico. The seeds are usually roasted.( article )

Neem seed trees bear oil which is a natural insecticide. They provide shade and windbreaks. At the center of a recent patent controversy, the neem is deemed a plant with many cultural uses already established, therefore part of public property.( Neem )

Related to my research on oil bearing seed trees, the Mahua distinguishes itself by being slow-growing, and by bearing flowers and fruits which are a tribal foodsource.( Mahua )

google scholar led me to this great paper on ethics and genetics.( Brewster Kneen on ethics of genetics )

Bija Devi, the manager of Navdanya's organic farm was nominated for a Slow Food Award in 2001. She received a special jury award. Typical of the illiterate women who are spearheading the new Foodshed movement.( Slow Food Nominee Bija Devi )

An article on Indian environmental activist Vandana Shiva, founder of Bija
Vidyapeeth and Navdanya.( about Vadana Shiva )

Here are the sixteen decisions. I recall them being said out loud (to help develop a voice), and along with some basic calisthenics (to help develop physically). From the Grameen site.( 16 decision )

Including thorough descriptions of programs in the US, this article describes the work of grameen bank.( microfinance story )