A charming blog by university student Suttira Kaewthep talks about her experiences living with an organic farming family in northern Thailand. Supported by the Institute for Sustainable Agricultural Communities, farm families in the province of Mae Tha are moving away from chemical agriculture to organic agriculture, selling their wares through an Organic Market.

Suttira quotes a local farmer saying, “Organic farming is the greatest idea for both consumers and farmers. We both have a clean and safe food for our health.” Farmers embracing this model are also finding a warm reception among local consumers. “They will pay a reasonable price for the good quality of fresh vegetables, while we can also provide them healthy food.”

It is heartening to read that the trust between farmers and consumers is prompting the invention of new, sustainable models worldwide.

NEWSFLASH: < ahref="http://in.reuters.com/article/specialEvents4/idINBKK14875720090623?sp=true">Reuters reports that the Thai government has rebuffed efforts by Arab investors to purchase Thai farmland directly. The country reportedly allows joint ownership if the Thai owner maintains a 51% stake in the farm enterprise but foreigners cannot own farmland outright. The articles goes on to say that Arab countries, faced with dramatic hikes in food prices, are increasingly concerned about their vulnerability and are therefore trying to buy farmland in developing countries.