- Author: Jeannette E. Warnert

Chevron recycles 21 million gallons of water every day and sells it to farmers to irrigate 45,000 acres of crops in Kern County, reported Julie Cart in the Los Angeles Times. The program is praised for helping farmers cope with the drought, however, the food being produced hasn't been tested for the presence of toxic oil production chemicals.
"Everyone smells the petrochemicals in the irrigation water," said Blake Sanden, UC Agriculture and Natural Resources Cooperative Extension advisor in Kern County. "When I talk to growers, and they smell the...
- Author: Jeannette E. Warnert

Admonitions by nutritionists to eat more fruits and vegetables for good heath may be steering people into the grocery store produce department. But for better value, year-round selection and environmental benefits, don't neglect the canned and frozen food aisles, advised an article in Mother Jones magazine.
Nutritionally, preserved fruits and vegetables can be equivalent or superior to fresh, said Diane Barrett, UC Cooperative Extension specialist in the Department of Food Science and Technology at UC Davis.
By the time a stalk of broccoli makes it from the farm to the supermarket to your...