In this very important and very timely episode of Straight No Chaser host Katy Kieffer talks with farmer Jim Gerritsen who is the President of the Organic Seed Growers and Trade Association, which is currently battling the agriculture giant Monsanto in federal court. Learn how this group of farmers is seeking protection from contamination of their crops by Monsanto transgenic (GMO) seeds by litigating in the very complicated the arena of patent law. Find out what exactly is at stake not only for farmers but also the state of U.S. patent law as a whole when the verdict is handed down. This insightful episode is sponsored by S. Wallace Edwards & Sons

"What we're going to the court for is to try and receive court protection from abusive behavior from Monsanto. . should we become contaminated by Monsanto seeds, not only do we suffer harm by the contamination of our crops, but in a perverse situation Monsanto's view is that we possess that technology through that cont episode and we would be liable for patent infringement."

"Part of our argument will be that transgenic agriculture, or commonly known as GMOS, that these lack 'social utility' "

"The expectation of the [organic seed] market is that good quality organic seed is free of GMO content. So if our crops become contaminated by GMO their value becomes extinguished with that contamination and that obviously then threatens our livelihood."

--Jim Gerritsen on Straight, No Chaser

This week on Let's Eat In, our hostess Cathy Erway talks with Chase Emmons of Brooklyn Grange and Tim O'Neal of Borough Bees. Our guests have teamed up to start a 30 hive apiary at the new Brooklyn Grange rooftop farm in the Brooklyn Navy Yards. Tune in to hear how Chase and Tim got their starts in beekeeping, the surprising demand for NYC honey, and the plans for Brooklyn Grange's apiary this season. Learn about bee genetics, and how Chase and Tim plan to breed bees that are adaptable to New York City's weather and conditions. In other words- local New York bees! Thanks to this episode's sponsor, Whole Foods.

"When I started keeping bees, I joined the local beekeeping organization and I was the youngest member by 60 years." -- Tim O'Neal on Let's Eat In

"You want cold winters so bees can make it through the winters. They'll go more dormant, so to speak. If they don't go dormant and they stay a little too active, they go through all their emergency food supplies, which is stored honey." -- Chase Emmons on Let's Eat In

Learn how to make mead on this week's episode of Beer Sessions Radio! Jimmy Carbone is joined in the studio by 2nd place Beer Drinker of the Year, Jen Schwertman! Also in the studio are Jeppe Jarnit-Bjergsø of Evil Twin Brewing, and Roger Repohl, beekeeper and mead homebrewer. Is mead wine? Or is it beer? Listen in to hear how Roger got involved in beekeeping, and how legal beekeeping has changed New York City. Michael Fairbrother of Moonlight Meadery calls in and talks about sweetness and dryness in mead, and why he has to source honey from all over the country to make mead in New Hampshire. How does season affect the flavor of honey? Hear about Michael's experience judging Homebrew Alley VII, Jeppe shares some strong Evil Twin brews, talks about the popularity of mead in Denmark, and talks about complex draft systems. Learn about the legality of homebrewing in Mississippi! This episode has been sponsored by GreatBrewers.com.

"I do small-batch harvesting of honey. During the honey season, I'll harvest it as it's ready. It's sort of like 'boutique' honey." [41:00] -- Roger Repohl on Beer Sessions Radio