Dr. Fengyi Hu helped develop perennial rice, which has living roots that could help preserve valuable soil. Erik Sacks hide caption
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sustainable agriculture
An engraving dating from the 19th century depicts passenger pigeons, once one of the most common birds in North America but now extinct because of overhunting and deforestation. Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty hide caption
A bowl of Honey Toasted Kernza. General Mills made 6,000 boxes of the cereal and is passing them out to spread the word about perennial grains. Olivia Sun/NPR hide caption
Wade Dooley, in Albion, Iowa, uses less fertilizer than most farmers because he grows rye and alfalfa, along with corn and soybeans. "This field [of rye] has not been fertilized at all," he says. Dan Charles/NPR hide caption
Does 'Sustainability' Help The Environment Or Just Agriculture's Public Image?
Boiled octopus, a recipe for "reliably tender, flavorful octopus that can be used as it is, or as a basis for fried or grilled octopus dishes," write Richard Horsey and Tim Wharton in Ugly Food. "Octopus is also totally sustainable, very economical and incredibly versatile — the various methods of preparation and cooking lend it subtly different flavors," says Wharton. Couresty of Tanya Ghosh hide caption
Laura Kemp, a technician at The Land Institute, hand harvests an experimental crop of Kernza in Kansas. Scientists think that this perennial crop could help fight climate change by trapping more carbon in the soil. Courtesy of The Land Institute hide caption
Pacific white shrimp raised in Eco Shrimp Garden's indoor aqua farm in New York's Hudson Valley, which owner Jean Claude Frajmund describes as a spa for shrimp. They grow for six months before they're ready for harvest. Allison Aubrey/NPR hide caption
Chocolate bars from San Francisco-based Dandelion Chocolate. The company makes reports about its sourcing practices available to the public online. Courtesy of Dandelion Chocolate hide caption
A weekday work session on the Student Organic Farm at Iowa State University has members weeding a perennial bed. Amy Mayer/Harvest Public Media hide caption
A cover crop of rye grass comes up in a field in eastern Nebraska. Cover crops help hold moisture and nitrogen in the soil. They can reduce nitrate runoff and erosion. Grant Gerlock/Harvest Public Media hide caption
Students sort grapes at the University of California, Davis research winery. The winery is experimenting with various methods to conserve water. The hope is that commercial wineries will follow suit. Courtesy of Karen L Block/UC Davis hide caption
Pig farmer Armando Escaño stands with his Iberian pigs on his farm on western Spain's dehesa. Escaño raises pigs for jamón ibérico, Spain's most prized ham. Lauren Frayer for NPR hide caption
This Spanish Pig-Slaughtering Tradition Is Rooted In Sustainability
Fashion designer Natalie Chanin stands in front of in-progress garments at the Alabama Chanin Factory. Chanin and Billy Reid, internationally acclaimed designers, have teamed up to test the concept of organic, sustainable cotton farming and garment-making. Debbie Elliott/NPR hide caption
Although food entrepreneur Tim West's family legacy is in Doritos chips, he wants to shake up the food system — with sustainable, healthful food. Vignesh Ramachandran/Ozy hide caption
Gorillas in Virunga National Park in Democratic Republic of Congo, in 2013. Great apes like the gorilla have become increasingly threatened by the expansion of palm oil production in Africa. Brent Stirton/WWF/Canon/Getty Images hide caption
Legume Chef Trevett Hooper and butcher Tyler Mossman with large beef cuts in the restaurant's kitchen. Ashley Rose/Courtesy of Trevett Hooper hide caption
Askinosie buys beans directly from small farmers. The goal: better quality control, and more cash to the growers. Bob Linder/Courtesy of Askinosie Chocolate hide caption