Web 2.0 Training

Keeping track of sustainability issues is a constantly moving target. But there are places to look, starting, surprisingly, with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which divides its information up nicely and this section of its Economic Research Service focuses exclusively on farm practices management, a good place to see what official actions are being taken.

Though the posts seem to come from his publisher or publicist, Michael Pollan does keep a steady stream of updates coming on his Twitter feed, including excerpts from recent speeches, the release of new books and occasionally something interesting from another source.

Northern Californian Hank Shaw, in his blog Hunter, Gardener, Angler, Cook, never ceases to surprise with recipes, sources, and an undercurrent of sustainable food politics told through his own quirky experiences. His significant other, Holly Heyser, takes the lovely photographs and, if you’re lucky, they might invite you to dinner sometime.

The Slow-Food movement in the U.S. and abroad keeps its ear to the ground, so to speak. The U.S. chapter even has a blog that offers a smattering of news and foodie events, though it is heavy on the events.

For anyone covering agriculture, the Des Moines Register continues to be an excellent source. This link takes you to a search of their site for “agriculture,” which can be anything from a new Farm Bill to a debate over genetic modification to a nice feature on a local farmer.

And, for something a little different, check out the self-proclaimed eco-goddess herself on Twitter