Egyptians voted in the first free presidential elections in the nation’s history this week, so I’d like to dedicate this post to them.

There’s a lot of debate over how fair these elections can be in a nation still essentially controlled by the ruling military council and lacking a concrete constitution.  But, as Egypt’s democracy is suffering what I hope are only growing pains, it’s organic cotton industry is in full bloom. 

Cotton is a crop that requires a lot of water and is often defended against pests by being doused with harsh chemicals that not only harm the environment, but are dangerous to the health of the cotton farmers.  Egyptian cotton, long-revered as the best in the world due to the length of the fiber itself, was no exception.

Then, in 1977 Continue reading →