Mark Kastel is co-founder of The Cornucopia Institute, a farm policy research group based in Wisconsin that promotes organic farming. The Cornucopia Institute exists to provide consumers with accurate information about where their food comes from, and how it is produced. The US Food and Drug Administration has been co-opted by the appointment of industry lobbyists and others who value profit over maintaining a truly organic standard for foods labeled as organic. Mark and Baruch discuss the state of farming, what “organic” really means, agricultural policy and it’s effects.

This episode is the first in a 3-part series of Paradigms episodes focusing on soil, soil health, and the effects of soil health (or distress) on human health, nutrition, and on the climate.

Music by: Peter Gabriel, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Sonny Landreth, Phish, TR Ritchie, Kim Lenz, and Little Feat.

Podcast: Download (Duration: 55:11 — 126.7MB)