The biodiversity and abundance of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi — important soil organisms that can help plants to capture nutrients — is greater in organically managed soils with reduced tilling compared to conventional methods, a new Swiss study suggests. This illustrates the impacts that land management practices such as ploughing can have on soil biodiversity and the ecosystem services it provides.

There are several types of wildlife-friendly farming scheme, some of which are more prescriptive than others. A recent study compared the effects of different wildlife-friendly farming approaches, including organic farming, on pollination. The findings suggest that organic farming practices enhance pollination services but may compromise crop yield. ‘Conservation Grade’ farming schemes — biodiversity-focused practices funded by sales of labelled food products — can support both pollination and yield.

A new approach to assessing the risk posed by 500 organic chemicals potentially found in the surface waters of river basins across Europe has been developed. It allows pollutants of concern, including emerging substances, to be identified and prioritised by Member States for monitoring and action as required by the Water Framework Directive.

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are priority pollutants that pose a risk to human health, and can be passed on to children via breast milk. This study investigated how concentrations of POPs in breast milk vary worldwide by reviewing studies published between 1995 and 2011. They found that levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and dioxins in breast milk are higher in Europe and North America, whereas pesticides are more prevalent in Africa and Asia. The authors call for harmonisation of methodologies to enable high quality comparisons between studies.

The majority of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) identified until now are banned or restricted around the world owing to concerns about their harm to ecosystems and human health. However, this is not the end of the story; even long-banned POPs still linger in the environment; others are still in use and are being directly emitted; and new POPs may be identified for which we have limited information. This Future Brief from Science for Environment Policy presents recent research into POPs’ potential impacts, the levels and future outlook for POPs in the environment and humans, and how we can reduce our use of POPs.

Soil is an overlooked source of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) for grazing cows, finds a new study of contaminated farms in Switzerland. The researchers tested a new modelling tool to track two specific environmental POPs — known as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and dioxins (PCDD/Fs) — as they moved from the farm environment into a cow’s body over time. The tool could be used to assess measures designed to decontaminate animals or to prevent contamination, such as grazing regimes that aim to reduce the risk of cows eating soil accidentally.

A newly published study finds that there may be dangerous levels of arsenic in some baby formulas.

Have you ever tasted jarred baby food? It isn’t that good. So why feed it to your little one?

Don't let bucolic images of small, locally owned farms cloud your judgment. Our blogger says do your homework and buy local when you can.

5 reasons to buy organic, despite the Stanford study. A new study finds that organic food is not nutritionally superior. So is it worth the higher price? I say

Multi-university project asks how organic farmers can control these pests and protect their crops.

Shanghai's largest organic farm branches out into the hospitality industry. The first step? Constructing a visitors center from over 70 shipping containers.

'Betting The Farm' tells the story of a group of organic milk farmers called MOO Milk is struggling to keep their small operations alive.

Fruit flies live longer and lay more eggs when they eat organic food, according to a study published by university researchers and an ambitious Texas teenager.

After graduating from college, Daniel Mays followed his heart back to the land and has been working to build his own small organic farm up here in Maine.

The small Maine-based co-op, which has struggled to gain a hold in the marketplace, received $3 million in much-need investment.

We can thank 3 important books published in the 1940s for the certified organic produce we see in stores today.

Award-winning gin and vodka created with attention to sustainable detail at every step of the way.

Scientists look at a lot of data — including the famous Stanford analysis — and find an excellent reason to enjoy organic produce.

Sales of organic are growing and dairy farms are getting incentives to switch to organic farming. Is voting with our dollars actually working?

Owner of Bluebird Hill Farm launches essay contest to give the $450,000 property away.

Whip up one of these these easy homemade organic shampoo recipes to clean your locks with natural ingredients.

The Cornucopia Institute releases a scorecard for store-bought organic eggs. Find out where your store's eggs fall.

Five organic ketchups were put to the kid taste test. Did any of them get a big thumbs-up?

A report issued earlier this week caused quite a stir in the organic food world. See what some respected organic food advocates are saying about it.

If organic foods can’t contain genetically modified ingredients, you’d think organic food companies wouldn’t have a problem with labeling foods that conta

Try a bubbly drink with an organic twist.

Here's a vodka that treads lightly on the earth and deliciously on the palate

How does an all organic vodka hold up at a neighborhood cookout?

Despite the recession, organics made an impressive showing in 2008. Find out how impressive.

A trip to Costa Rica reminds the author of the chemicals you avoid when buying organically grown products.

The Ritz-Carlton in Charlotte uses organic ingredients, LED lights and a green vegetated moss roof on it’s holiday house.

A testing lab finds genetically modified cotton in H&M and other European brands' eco-friendly lines.

Find out if organic hair dye stacks up with our fashion and beauty correspondent, Jolene Eyre.

The Organic Cotton Percale Bedding from Gaiam takes a few washes to soften up, but then settles into being a wonderfully comfortable set of sheets.

Try these not-too-sweet organic thirst quenchers to stay cool in hot weather.

Starting June 2011, beauty products making 'organic' claims will have to meet the same certification standards as food products at Whole Foods.

By shedding artificial fertilizers and pesticides, a Massachusetts golf club goes organic.

With so many organic companies owned by large corporations, some of their profits may be used to fight Proposition 37 – which would require genetically modifi

Organic botanicals make the difference with Bluecoat Gin. This American Dry Gin, distilled in Philadelphia, is the main ingredient in our food blogger’s Satur

ColdLife organics grows its own food, keeps it cold, and delivers it to your door.

Check out this infographic, which breaks down the importance of organic food, how mobile usage affects purchasing, food labels and more.

Free printable coupons plus recipe ideas to use them to make cooking at home a little easier.

Organic food is becoming more widely available. But how organic is it when it's grown elsewhere?

The Organic Trade Association is hosting an online organic discussion and inviting everyone to participate in the #OrganicFestival.

Websites that end with .organic will go through a verification process before they can go live.

Fast, cheap, and high quality? That's right. Fast food does not have to be bad for you.

An organic pizza franchise is expanding fast with a menu that boasts vegan cheeses, organic meats, and gluten-free brownies.

A family ate organically for 2 weeks, reducing pesticides in their bodies big-time. Here's why it matters.

MNN's lifestyle blogger put four organic rooibos teas to the taste test.