Conscious rap is world-wide and being used to inform farmers of new tools. In Africa, Maasai rapper Mr. Ebbo is the spokesperson for The MoneyMaker,a foot-powered pump developed and marketed by the non-proft KickStart. The pump is insurance against drought, helping small farmers irrigate crops. I wish all rappers sold out in this way:
(via Justin)

While visiting Portland I met a former colleague of Dr. Tyrone Hayes. Dr. Hayes, a Biology Professor at UC Berkeley, has spent a great deal of his time researching amphibians, but that is just the start. His labs have examined the harmful effects of the herbicide Atrazine. I had never actually heard of Atrazine until I saw this video in which Dr. Hayes raises awareness through the medium of rap. I hope to get him in one of our episodes soon.

I just finished watching the DVD of The Real Dirt On Farmer John. It’s a touching story of an eccentric Midwest farmer’s struggle to save his family farm from development and economic recession. He eventually converts to an organic Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) model and his farm survives and thrives. Plus, the DVD features include a music video with a girl dressed in a bee suit ala Blind Melon. Check out the preview: