Michael Pollan, the pioneering writer who's shed light on the industrialization of agriculture and the negative consequences for health and farming, advises the next president that "food is about to demand your attention." Pollan writes that the U.S. food system is so driven by fossil fuel inputs that we cannot make progress on climate change, energy independence, or the health care crisis until we de-industrialize farming. Hear, hear. See IWF's most recent OpEd for our proposal to make the biofuel industry accomplish just that.

"Snohomish County officials Tuesday dedicated a new facility to store, dry and crush seed oil that will be refined locally into biodiesel and used to power county vehicles. Although it's a small project, officials say it creates a new cash crop for struggling farmers and a clean, renewable fuel source for the county." (rest of article)

After years of work, farm-based biodiesel finally arrives in Western Washington. It is amazing how much persistence and patience are required to accomplish even small projects with obvious benefits in an industry so prized by the state. Snohomish County leaders and local farm and business advocates are to be commended for keeping the vision alive.

Diesel and gasoline are the largest expenses for some organic growers supplying urban markets, the Seattle Times reports.