I discover the USDA Food Atlas and a cool new journal

For those of you who are data junkies, here is a link to a bunch of geographical data from the USDA describing the general "health" of the our food consumption and food availability.  I spent a little time looking at the data, and some of it is very compelling.  I have not really looked into the data sources, but if sound, this could be a quick way for those of us interested in Agricultural Development to present information.

Random Agricultural image

I got the term "Agricultural Development" from Duncan Hilchey of New Leaf Associates, Inc. who posted a call for papers on a listserv I belong to.  You can read about his new venture -- The Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development here.

UPDATE on SEEDLINGS
The coir seems to be a great growing medium - and the hot pad spurred germination of the tomato, peppers, basil, and two flowers that I sowed last weekend.  Whoop!