WARNING: The Rise of the Superweed

In an article by Jim Hightower in our local paper, he reports that we have a new enemy on our hands-- the superweed-- which was caused by Monsanto's Round-up weed-killer and their Frankenstein GMO corn, cotton and soybean seeds which were manufactured to be weed-resistant. Well, you can't fool Mother Nature because she just creates a stronger weed. "There are now 10 resistant species of these superweeds infesting some 10 million acres in 22 states-- and spreading."

"Monsanto sold it's Roundup Ready seeds as a miracle crop, charged far more for them, and scoffed at concerns that the weeds would adapt. But there they are, and farmers now have to use extra-toxic herbicides to kill the aggressive mutant weeds that have invaded their fields. The result is higher costs for farmers, lower crop yields, more poisoning of land and water and a rising chorus of farmers saying, 'Some miracle, Monsanto--thanks for nothing!'... As an Arkansas farm leader says of Monsanto's creation of the spreading of the superweed crises: 'It's the single largest threat to the production of agriculture that we have ever seen.'"

Monsanto's solution to the problem is to use a mix of chemicals, one being an older herbicide with 2,4-D (which has been banned in Sweden, Denmark and Norway for links to cancer, reproductive harm, and mental impairment). 2,4-D was an ingredient of Agent Orange, a toxic hebicide used in chemical warfare during the Vietnam War!

So the question always comes down to what can we do personally about this? The best thing for you and the health of anyone you live with, is to try to purchase organically grown food and organic, grassfed meat and free-range poultry. It is more expensive (but I'm guessing not for long, if farmers have seen their costs double because of the superweeds!), but if we all do this, the market increases and the prices decrease. We tend to eat too large of portions in the U.S., so eating smaller amounts of better food is actually healthier. Or plant a garden or just a planter and grow your own produce. Find a local farmer who isn't doing GMO seed and buy from them. Not all farmers are certified organic but that doesn't mean they aren't farming the old fashioned way. A huge thing you can do is NOT BUY ROUNDUP! Why give your dollars to increasing the problem? Monsanto's shares have dropped 40%... they are the true superweed and should be weeded out!

If you want to learn more about the superweed threat, just google "superweed" and you'll find plenty to read! Here's a link to start with.