With the ecological shift affecting conventional agriculture of the West, harvests in the summer were smaller compared to previous years. To salvage the economy in Montana, farmers have started incorporating regenerative soil-building systems into their current practices. Among these producers is Bob Quinn, whose experiments focus on investing in soil health to increase soil fertility and produce higher yields. His approach — the shift from conventional to organic farming — aims to revitalise the local economy in the state. Read full article here
Societal Issues
To curb drug deaths, communities turn to Reddit, texts and wastewater
With drug overdose deaths on the rise, authorities are attempting to curb the epidemic by tracking and sharing information in real time. In one unique effort, a nonprofit in New York City is using drug-testing equipment and stamping or marking habits of dealers to identify drug batches that may endanger users. Other approaches are also being used, such as monitoring drug-related chatter on Reddit and analyzing local wastewater for opioid and other drug levels. With the combination of these efforts, researchers hope to put a dent in the opioid crisis and reduce overdose deaths. Read full article here
Merv
June 1, 2023
