We found unhealthy pesticide levels in 20% of US produce - here’s what you need to know

We found unhealthy pesticide levels in 20% of US produce - here’s what you need to know

Description: (article & nice chart with lots of specific produce) research, Instructors - high school

Contents: When it comes to healthy eating, fruits and vegetables reign supreme. But along with all their vitamins, minerals and other nutrients can come something else: an unhealthy dose of dangerous pesticides; background notes on pesticide use, update & red flags, issues with EPA assessment techniques, specific produce items, pesticide effects, how to avoid pesticides, how to solve the problem

Source: theguardian.com & Consumer Reports

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/apr/18/what-is-pesticide-safety-organic-fruits-vegetables 

Crossposted: Library Toolkit/ Regenerative agriculture - Issues, Healthy People - Toxicity ; Library Resources/ Plants - Issues, Pesticides

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Can gene editing save Christmas trees from climate change?

Can gene editing save Christmas trees from climate change?

Description: (article) research, instructors - high school 

Contents: growers…collaborating with researchers across the U.S. and Canada to help the billion-dollar industry adapt to climate change and compete with artificial trees; challenges - rising temperatures, increased pests and pathogens; GMO concerns

Source: ambrook/research https://ambrook.com/research/sustainability/gmo-christmas-trees-climate-adaptation?utm_source=Ambrook+Research+Newsletter&utm_campaign=dc8627736a-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2023_06_26_02_47_COPY_03&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-d85bfec4c4-1433916538

Crossposted: Library Toolkit/ Entrepreneurs, Regenerative Agriculture - Issues; Library Resources/ Plants - Trees

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The English Farmers who harvest rhubarb by candlelight

The English farmers who harvest rhubarb by candlelight

Description: (article) Instructors - adaptable for all ages

Contents: background, how it works - forcing process, rhubarb on the rise

Source: Smithsonian magazine

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/the-english-farmers-who-harvest-rhubarb-by-candlelight-180984141/ 

Crossposted: Library Toolkit/ Education - Cultural considerations - Region, England & Indigenous knowledge; Library Resources / Plants - Specific plants

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What happens to your body when you eat papaya regularly

What happens to your body when you eat papaya regularly

Description: (article) research, Instructors - high school, adaptable for all ages

Contents: Papaya (Carica papaya) is a tropical American fruit that is green when unripe and light or deep yellow-orange with orange or red juicy flesh when ripe. Papayas are high in vitamins, minerals, and other beneficial substances. Papaya has been used in folk medicine to treat several health concerns, including gastrointestinal (GI) and skin problems, and is an interest to the pharmaceutical industry for its potential health benefits.

Source: verywellhealth.com https://www.verywellhealth.com/papaya-8748529 

Crossposted: Library Resources/ Plants - Specific Plants, Trees & Medicinals; Library Toolkit/ Library Toolkit/Cultural considerations - Region, India & Indigenous knowledge; Healthy People - Human gut science, Food as medicine

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Water hyacinth - this alien plant is lethal for the environment, not its being turned into a plastic to regrow forests

Title: Water Hyacinth - This alien plant is lethal for the environment, now it’s being turned into a plastic to regrow forests

Description: (article, lots of great photos) Instructors - middle & high school

Contents: Water hyacinths are native to South America, but were introduced as an exotic ornamental to many other countries. They’ve since taken over freshwater environments and are labeled an alien invasive species on every other continent aside from Antarctica: environmental impacts, attempts to eradicate, bioplastic innovation - project, scaling up

Source: cnn.com/Africa https://www.cnn.com/world/africa/hyacinth-alien-plant-environment-plastic-spc 

Crossposted: Library Toolkit/ Education - Entrepreneurship, Regenerative Agriculture - Issues; Library Resources/ Plants - Issues, Toxicity & Plastics

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(2/7/25) related research in Indonesia (article & free downloadable PDF, very technical - but good sample)

https://ejournal.upi.edu/index.php/AJSE/article/view/37801/pdf 

Papaya seeds as a detox

Papaya with seeds as a detox

Description: (article - video, social media influencer w/ medical professional input) Instructors - high school, adaptable for all ages

Contents: The thought of ridding our bodies of the bad stuff and getting healthier sounds amazing. But should we eat 'papaya seeds for 7 days to detox 7 times faster':: papaya seeds are magnets for toxins & parasites 

Source: hindustanhealth.com/lifestyle/health https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/health/eat-papaya-with-seeds-most-powerful-detox-everything-you-need-to-know-101733223953758.html 

Crossposted: Library Resources/ Plants - Trees & Medicinals: Library Toolkit/ Cultural considerations - Region India, Healthy People - Food as medicine

Papaya seeds benefits - how the habit of consuming papaya seeds daily can improve health

Papaya seeds benefits - how the habit of consuming papaya seeds daily can improve health

Description: (article, sectioned into individual ‘lessons’) Instructors - adaptable for all ages

Contents: If there is one seed, which is often discarded without thinking much, it is the papaya seeds. Many people habitually discard papaya seeds without realising their significant health benefits: nutrition, digestive health, liver detoxification, antiparasitic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, kidney health, etc plus adding to daily diet 

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com/kife-style/food-news https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/food-news/how-the-habit-of-consuming-papaya-seeds-daily-can-improve-health/photostory/111081125.cms 

Crossposted: Library Resources/ Plants - Specific Plants, Trees; Library Toolkit/ Healthy People - Human gut science, Food as medicine

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6 reasons to add raw papaya to the diet

6 Reasons to (add) raw papaya salad to the diet

Description: (article, recipe) Instructors - adaptable to all ages

Contents: description of uses & cultural context, health advantages 

 Source: indiatimes.com/lifestyle/food-news https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/food-news/6-reasons-to-add-raw-papaya-salad-to-the-diet/articleshow/114457776.cms  

Crossposted: Library Toolkit/ Health & Nutrition - Human gut science, Food as medicine & Recipes; Library Resources/ Plants - Specific Plants, Trees

Recycling human and animal excreta could help meet nutrient supply for global crops

Recycling human and animal excreta could help meet nutrient supply for global crops

Description: (article) research, Instructors - high school

Contents: It might not be a pleasant image, but recycling all the human and livestock feces and urine on the planet would contribute substantially to meeting the nutrient supply for all crops worldwide, thereby reducing the need to mine fertilizers such as phosphorus and dramatically reducing the dependency on fossil fuels, according to a global analysis of nutrient recycling published in Nature Sustainability. 

Source: phys.org/news https://phys.org/news/2024-12-recycling-human-animal-excreta-nutrient.html 

Crossposted: Library Toolkit/Regenerative agriculture - Issues; Library Resources/ Soil - Specific Topics & Compost - Specific Topics

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Soil biodiversity - The magical world of soil biodiversity and its translation in Portuguese and Kyrgyz

Soil Biodiversity - The magical world of soil biodiversity & its translation in Portuguese and Kyrgyz

Description: (collection of stories/book, pdf link) Instructors - all ages

Contents: A collection of 10 stories for kids from around the world to dig in and discover the magic that lies beneath our feet. The soil biodiversity book competition for children highlights the importance of soil organisms and raises awareness of the urgent need to protect soil biodiversity among a young audience (children aged 6-11 years). This collection of 10 stories includes the best entries received from more than 80 books spanning over 60 countries.

Source:  Food & Agriculture Organization (FAO) (United Nations) 

https://www.fao.org/global-soil-partnership/resources/highlights/detail/en/c/1599318/ 

Crossposted: Library Toolkit/ Global & Healthy Communities - online communities: Library Resources/ Soil - Specific Topics

In Svalbard, the global seed vault banks biodiversity & sprouts controversy

In Svalbard, the global seed vault banks biodiversity & sprouts controversy

Description: (article) research, Instructors - high school

Contents: Two-thirds of the world’s food comes today from just nine plants: sugar cane, maize (corn), rice, wheat, potatoes, soybeans, oil-palm fruit, sugar beet, and cassava. In the past, farmers grew tens of thousands of crop varieties around the world. This biodiversity protected agriculture from crop losses caused by plant diseases and climate change. Today, seed banks around the world are doing much of the work of saving crop varieties that could be essential resources under future growing conditions. The Svalbard Global Seed Vault in Norway supports them all. It is the world’s most famous backup site for seeds that are more precious than data; background info, controversies, indigenous biocultural heritage notes

Source: atlasobscura.com https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/svalbard-global-seed-vault-purpose?utm_source=Klaviyo&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Daily%20newsletter%2012%2F9%2F2024&_kx=hg_0yVQLccu5UwSuT4i9EujiUMiu5nBKktRbzhUFoW0.UUnqkC 

Crossposted: Library Resources/ Healthy Plants - Seeds, Issues; Library Toolkit: Marginalized Peoples & Food Systems, Biospheres

Urban gardening in early medieval Europe

Urban gardening in early medieval Italy

Description: (seminar abstract & video) Instructors - high school

Contents: Food-growing gardens first appeared in early medieval cities during a period of major social, economic, and political change in the Italian peninsula, and they quickly took on a critical role in city life. Food-producing gardens were essential from an economic point of view but they also played important cultural, religious, and political roles, especially within cities. 

Source: medievalists.net  https://www.medievalists.net/2024/11/urban-gardening-in-early-medieval-italy/ 

Crossposted:  Library Toolkit/ Education - Cultural considerations, Region - Europe & 

Sourdough Bread - Should you eat it?

Sourdough Bread - Should you eat it?

Description: (article) Instructors - all ages

Contents: While sourdough might seem like just another type of bread you can make or buy, it actually used to be one of the only options. Until the development of commercial yeasts in the 1800s, sourdough, made with naturally occurring yeasts and lactic acid bacteria, was the main type of leavened bread consumed worldwide: benefits, risks

Source: health.com https://www.health.com/sourdough-bread-benefits-8780654 

Crossposted: Library Toolkit/ Healthy People - Health & Nutrition

Notre Dame Cathedral and the rebirth of artisanship

Notre Dame Cathedral and the rebirth of artisanship

Description: (article) Instructors - high school

Contents: one of the most amazing construction projects of this millennium. As one of about 300 historical architects who wrote to President Macron after the fire to insist that he rebuild exactly what was there before the fire

Source: commonedge.org https://commonedge.org/notre-dame-cathedral-and-the-rebirth-of-artisanship/ 

Crossposted: Library Toolkit/ Cross-disciplinary, Entrepreneurship

Comments 

(Winter, 2025 - Emmanuel Roux) …to be distributed far and wide to all instructors and teachers

(Winter, 2025 - Betsy Barbour) excellent example of communities coming together and collaborating on a project of inestimable cultural value

Native American Heritage: celebrating food, tradition & health

Native American heritage: celebrating food, tradition & health

Description: (article, events, resources) Instructors - all ages

Contents: Celebrate Native American Heritage month each November: discover indigenous cuisines & nutrition, explore Native American agriculture heritage, access curated resources for curated communities

Source: USDA National Agricultural Library

https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDAARS/bulletins/3b94253 

Crossposted: Library Toolkit/ Education - indigenous knowledge,  Cultural considerations - Region (North America)

Chilling historical photo captures the deadly impact of humans

Chilling historical photo captures the deadly impact of humans

Description: (article, video link) Instructors - high school

Contents: We are living through a period of unprecedented species extinction due to human-induced changes to the planet's ecosystems. This is not the first time human activities radically changed relationships between land and life: the iconic image (a mountain of bison skulls) - background, impact, issues, multi-species relationships, looking ahead

Source: sciencealert.com https://www.sciencealert.com/chilling-historical-photo-captures-the-deadly-impact-of-humans 

Crossposted: Library Toolkit/ Education - Indigenous knowledge, Biospheres

Bright Tide delivers the Wright approach to regenerative farming

Bright Tide delivers the Wright approach to regenerative farming

Description: (article) Instructors - high school 

Contents: In early 2024, in the heart of a small Italian village named Castel Del Giudice, cradled by apple orchards and well-known for its Città del Bio (Organic Town) circuit, Harry Wright— Founder and CEO of UK-based environmental consultancy, Bright Tide— was introduced to a system of farming that would transform his business forever…Wright would learn about the transformative power of regenerative farming- a sustainable alternative to the extractive practices of conventional food production: Italian roots, value & practises of regenerative 

Source: forbes.com https://www.forbes.com/sites/daphneewingchow/2024/11/06/bright-tide-delivers-the-wright-approach-to-regenerative-farming/

Crossposted: Library Toolkit/ Regenerative Agriculture & Cultural considerations - Region,  Italy

Why ultraprocessed foods aren't always bad

Why ultraprocessed foods aren’t always bad

Description: (article, opinion) research, Instructors - high school, basics adaptable for all ages

Contents: …following recent headlines, it may seem like there’s a single culprit (to all Americans’ food woes): ultraprocessed foods…(BUT) experts felt that there wasn’t enough reliable science to draw accurate conclusions. LOTS of cons,yes - BUT category is too broad: specifics about food types, energy density, consume-ability, additives, reality for many consumers food access

Source: Salt Lake Tribune, opinion - https://www.sltrib.com/opinion/commentary/2024/12/18/opinion-why-ultraprocessed-foods/

Crossposted: Library Toolkit/ Health & Nutrition

Survival of probiotics

Survival of Probiotics

Description: (article/study report) research, Instructors - VERY technical medical info 

Contents: Abstract, Mat’l & Methods, Results, Discussion - Lactobacilli of intestinal origin are considered intrinsically resistant to acid environments and are often employed in fermented foods as probiotics.  

Source: National Library of Medicine

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1151822/#:~:text=Lactobacillus%20species%20are%20considered%20intrinsically%20resistant%20to%20acid%20(51). 

Crossposted: Library Toolkit/ Biospheres - Microbiomes

Comments 

~ (Betsy, 6/13/24) useful for some info on trending of probiotics in healthy nutrition

Investigating the soil food web

Investigating the soil food web

Description: (complete unit, video) Instructors - ages 7-13 adaptable for all ages 

Contents: Junior Landcare provides children the opportunity to play an active role in ensuring the safe future of our natural environment; story, overview, outcomes, seasonal notes, instructions, extension activities & references

Source: juniorlandcare.org - https://juniorlandcare.org.au/learning_activity/investigating-the-soil-food-web/ 

Crossposted:  Library Resources/ Soil - Units & Projects