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Born in Taiwan | I cultivate ancient grains and organic vegetables, and run an agriturismo on the shores of Lake Bolsena.This summer, in conversation with a colleague from Garfagnana, a guest in our agriturismo, I learned about a new disease of the fig tree. It is caused by a beetle commonly known as the black fig weevil, which has the complicated scientific name “Aclees Taiwanensis”. This beetle, which originated in China, Japan and Taiwan, reached Italy and France via trade, as is often the case.My friend explained to me that in his area, Tuscany, many fig trees had already died and that the disease was spreading rapidly.My centuries-old fig tree, the oldest plant I have on the farm, was also attacked. If I had known this beforehand, I might have tried to act quickly, but unfortunately we were not notified by any relevant authority.

Born in Taiwan

I cultivate ancient grains and organic vegetables, and run an agriturismo on the shores of Lake Bolsena.This summer, in conversation with a colleague from Garfagnana, a guest in our agriturismo, I learned about a new disease of the fig tree. It is caused by a beetle commonly known as the black fig weevil, which has …

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Not all cheeses are equal | We simply take something out of the cheese shelf in the supermarket. Edamer, Leerdamer, Tilsiter, Gouda, an entire piece or slices. If we make more conscious choices, we probably choose an organic brand or the one from happy cows. Simple. Convenient. Predictable. Quality and taste are always the same.But honestly: Do we think about how this cheese is produced and why it is possible to have it always available in large amounts?

Not all cheeses are equal

We simply take something out of the cheese shelf in the supermarket. Edamer, Leerdamer, Tilsiter, Gouda, an entire piece or slices. If we make more conscious choices, we probably choose an organic brand or the one from happy cows. Simple. Convenient. Predictable. Quality and taste are always the same.But honestly: Do we think about how …

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Luxury chicken coops? | Tusciapollai builds chicken coops that could also be described as luxury villas or objets d'art for the garden. In Bolsena, more or less directly on the lake in a small factory which, in addition to modern equipment, could also be reminiscent of the turn of the century. Rodolfo and Holger use 95 percent Douglas/Larch natural solid wood from European cultivation. Really nice to touch and ecological. Have a look ... https://tusciapollai.it/gb/

Luxury chicken coops?

Tusciapollai builds chicken coops that could also be described as luxury villas or objets d’art for the garden. In Bolsena, more or less directly on the lake in a small factory which, in addition to modern equipment, could also be reminiscent of the turn of the century. Rodolfo and Holger use 95 percent Douglas/Larch natural …

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Apples are treated with pesticides for 28 times and yet we carelessly take a bite | Apples are being treated with pesticides 28 times from start of the season until the harvest. This is shown in a recent study of the report books of apple farmers in a certain region of South Tyrol. (Details can be found under https://www.br.de/nachrichten/deutschland-welt/gespritzte-aepfel-exklusive-datenanalyse-zum-pestizideinsatz,TTqvZWU).Heinz Ketchup ends up last in "Ökotest" a.o. because of high amounts of mold poison and sugars. And yet, Heinz holds 50% of the Ketchup consumption in Germany. (More under Tomatenketchup: Darum ist Heinz-Ketchup der große Testverlierer - ÖKO-TEST (oekotest.de).Of 21 rose bouquets in the test, including six with a declared Fairtrade label, the majority failed, a.o. because of pesticides and non-transparent supply chains. (Rosen im Test: Die meisten strotzen nur so vor Pestiziden - ÖKO-TEST (oekotest.de).For sure you have heard or read about some of these studies. And could add other examples. And we could talk about it all evening about how

Apples are treated with pesticides for 28 times and yet we carelessly take a bite

Apples are being treated with pesticides 28 times from start of the season until the harvest. This is shown in a recent study of the report books of apple farmers in a certain region of South Tyrol. (Details can be found under https://www.br.de/nachrichten/deutschland-welt/gespritzte-aepfel-exklusive-datenanalyse-zum-pestizideinsatz,TTqvZWU).Heinz Ketchup ends up last in “Ökotest” a.o. because of high amounts of …

Apples are treated with pesticides for 28 times and yet we carelessly take a bite Read More »

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