Modern Farmer

MARCH 1, 2024

Both durable and efficient, with no need for farmland or vast amounts of water, it threatened to leave natural fibers like cotton in the dust. In addition, most natural fibers are grown conventionally, which often means heavy use of pesticides, synthetic fertilizers and genetically modified or treated seeds. Enter next-gen synthetics.

Textiles 102

Textiles Manufacturing Production Processing 102

Sustainable Food Trust

JUNE 14, 2023

This reached its most extreme level in the 1970s, when tens of thousands of acres of straw were burned in the fields every summer in the UK, sometimes setting fire to hedgerows as well. Scientists tell us that in addition to soil disturbance, a wide range of pesticides can affect the diversity of mycorrhizal fungi.

Ploughing 52

Ploughing Crop Yield Farming 52

Civil Eats

DECEMBER 4, 2023

These synthetic polymer products have often been used to help boost yields up to 60 percent and make water and pesticide use more efficient. Yet their pervasive use—along with farmland, plastics cover everything from individual seeds to bales of hay and packaged produce—has allowed them to plant themselves deeply in our food supply.

Agriculture 112

Agriculture Agriculture Supply Chain Production 112