We’ve been talking about starting a garden in the last few videos so I thought I’d go back to the very beginning and show you how to start a low cost no dig garden the smart & easy way.
It’s literally 3 steps:
1. mark out & “edge” your garden area
2. lay down cardboard & saturate it completely
3. add soil & compost
Today I’m on the north side of my garden where I actually extended the garden just a tiny bit. And I’ve talked about this in previous videos, but you’ll also see it in the video below – I extended it a bit and I laid it out, but I never actually came out here and finished making it into an actual garden.
So that’s what I’m gonna do today and I just wanted to share it with y’all now. I do no dig gardening, which to me is the smartest way to do it. It’s the least labor intensive way to do it and probably the least expensive way to start a low cost no dig garden in my opinion. A lot of people do no dig gardening, and there’s some variations in how people do it, but there’s no right or wrong way.
The bottom line is you just need to cover up the grasses or whatever’s already there. You know, define your border and fill with dirt and start planting. So that’s the basics of it.
Watch the video below to see how I do it, and this is how I started all of my gardens. Well, this is how I started the first two gardens on the south side of the house, and then extended all the way across the back the same way, and now I’m doing this exactly the same way.
If you don’t prefer video, you can keep reading below.
I have this tiny little garden extension. It’s not very big, but big enough to grow some tomatoes or some cucumbers, which is great because I’ve been trying to rotate crops and I’ve had tomatoes all over the place.
I’ve only had cucumbers on the south side of the garden, but I’m thinking this year I’ll put them over here to the north side in this new extension. The basis of what I wanted to show you guys is just this….
The way I no dig or no till is that I laid down cardboard and then I wet the cardboard. So this space had been laid out for a while. And by “laid out” I just kind of marked it out with the bricks a while ago, but I didn’t put my cardboard down immediately because I knew that I was not ready. So I just left this area open and there were some potted plants sitting in here for a good long time.
The reason I did not put my cardboard down is because I learned a lesson from the other areas of a garden, of the garden, that if I put the cardboard down and let it sit down there for a period of time, say a week or two, the ants love to make a home underneath the cardboard.
So, I just left it open so that that wouldn’t happen. But since I knew it was going to rain overnight, I came out here yesterday and put my cardboard down. I just went all the way around. My bricks are a little wonky, I’ll come back through and fix that. Add dirt underneath, make them level and all that good stuff.
But initially, I just wanted to get out here and get this part done. Yesterday I did a little bit of pre planning knowing that rain was coming. I laid out the cardboard here and I went and picked up some dirt. So I have regular flower and vegetable garden soil and some compost. And I may amend this with compost from my backyard bin as well.
Don’t know if I’ll need to do that yet. But the bottom line is, now that the cardboard is down, I let the rain wet it down for me so I didn’t have to use my own water. And now I’m just gonna lay out my dirt, I don’t have to worry about the ants, and we’ll be ready to start planting!
I’ll leave this space empty for quite a while until I’m ready to put some transplants out here or plant my cucumbers directly in the garden.
And honestly, you guys, that’s pretty much it. Like there’s not much more to it. Obviously I’m going to need more dirt than this. And here’s one thing that I did want to talk to y’all about though, that I didn’t mention before.
Tip #1 to Start a Low Cost No Dig Garden
There’s logs all the way across portions of this garden bed. You can barely see them in the video above. When I tried to build up the ground to put the bricks in, I used little shards of pieces of logs & branches underneath there, as opposed to using dirt, because dirt is expensive. So that’s kind of like how I leveled off, and I’ll use the dirt to come back and level off the bricks some more.
But, there’s about four inches from where the original bed is to where the grass was level. So, I essentially, in the back, since I know I’m not going to be planting much in the very, very back I used logs and different things, kind of like the Hügelkultur Method.
It’s where you use yard debris, things like branches and you know, whatever you can find to kind of build up that area and then you cover up with all of your dirt and compost. So that way you don’t have to use as much dirt because the underneath layer is is you know other things and so you’re just filling in pockets.
I did that a little bit on this side, but still in all you can see any more is dirt. Essentially that is it for no dig and now you can understand why I like to do it this way because it’s super quick and easy. And very satisfying because it is so quick and easy.
Now, this was a small space so I might be able to do with one more bag of dirt or maybe one more bag of compost one or the other but not both. So essentially what will happen now is that I’ll just let this sit for a while, let the rain water it in, and then when I’m ready to plant, I can just come plant.
Tip #2 to Start a Low Cost No Dig Garden
And that was super simple. Quick note about dirt. I bought these bags of dirt from one of my favorite hardware stores, Ace Hardware. It’s kind of like a big box store, but it feels more like a mom and pop when you go in there. So I bought the bags for here because it’s such a small space, but in the rest of the garden, I actually go to a dirt yard and buy premium soil.
You just have to be very very careful about what type of soil you get so that you know it’s fast draining, has nutrients in it, but doesn’t have like fertilizers or anything extra added into it. So for the rest of the yard, I do that because it’s much more cost effective because you can get a truckload for less than buying bags
We have a Toyota Tundra full cab, and we can get a truckload where that is completely full for like $20. Whereas this dirt that I just bought, I used a coupon, but without that coupon, just these two bags would have been $20.
So that’s just a few quick tips right there. Anyway, that’s pretty much it from the garden this week. Not too much to share, other than just waiting on seedlings to grow, which are doing really well inside under the grow lights. I shared that last week in this video.
Some of them were up in three days, which is so super exciting. So I’m getting very, very excited for the spring. I hope you guys are too, and I appreciate you for tuning in. Thank you so much for your support.
As always, let me know in the comments if you have any questions or tips to add, and I’ll see you next time. I’m breathing hard. I’m tired. I’ll see you next time in the garden. Bye!


Cultivation Process of Hericium-MRLTM:
MRL Ltd.Â´s Hericium erinaceus powder contains both mycelium and primordia (young fruit body) cultivated into a biomass that is grown on a sterilised (autoclaved) substrate.
This cultivation process ensures the powder is free from contamination by other fungi and that pesticides and heavy metals are absent.
Certified Organic: USA/EU
The fungal biomass Hericium erinaceus that comprises Hericium-MRL is certified 100% Organic in the United States by Quality Assurance International (Certificate No. 103491-A).
In December of 2005, MRL powder gained EU organic certification in accordance with EU Council Regulation (EEC) No. 2092/91 by Quality Assurance International (Certificate No. 105493-A).
Chemical and Biological Properties:


Small-Batch Potato Vodka That Exemplifies Authentic Character Within The Vodka Category
A New Chapter For A Legendary Potato Region
The story of Karlsson's begins in the region of Cape Bjäre, located on the southern tip of Sweden. Long renowned for its potato production, the picturesque area saw land values dramatically increase in the 1990s due to tourism growth. This, combined with the challenges of being an independent farmer dealing with a volatile and unpredictable market, made the future of potato farming uncertain in Cape Bjäre. Enter local businessman Peter Ekelund, already a vodka legend for having launched the iconic Absolut brand in the United States. Ekelund saw an opportunity to create a new market for local potatoes and reintroduce Swedish potato vodka to the world. He rallied Cape Bjäre farmers to start a cooperative in order to share resources and develop a more sophisticated approach to bringing potatoes to market.
Cape Bjäre Virgin New Potatoes
The heirloom varietal potatoes grown in Cape Bjäre are called "virgin new potatoes," because they are picked early in the season when the skin has just barely begun to form. The developing skin is so delicate that it is stripped away during the process of washing. The young potatoes are extremely flavorful, due to the concentration of flavors from the lack of starch. Additionally, the absence of skin means the absence of impurity, allowing the essence of the potato to shine through the vodka.
The Return of Swedish Potato Vodka
With some of the finest potatoes in the world to work with, Ekelund set his sights on bringing authentic potato vodka production back to Sweden. Absolut had originally been produced from potatoes, but switched to winter wheat in the 1970s.
Making vodka from potatoes is extremely expensive; it takes ten times the potatoes to produce the equivalent yield of wheat, and the tiny virgin new potatoes of Cape Bjäre are among the most expensive potatoes in the world. The end product justifies the effort, however, creating an exceptionally rich and complex vodka that could only be achieved with such a premium base ingredient. The skin-less potatoes are so pure that they require only one distillation. Any further distillations would strip the flavor and complexity out the vodka.
Ekelund teamed up with some of his former associates from Absolut, including legendary master blender Björe Karlsson (after whom the vodka was ultimately named), as well as bottle designer Hans Brindfor and marketer Olof Tranvik, both of whom were instrumental in the success of Absolut.
Karlsson's Gold Vodka was released to spectacular media acclaim in 2007, signaling the return of Swedish potato vodka.
Karlsson's Gold Vodka is a blend of several different varietals of virgin new potatoes from Cape Bjäre, Sweden. It is handcrafted, single-distilled and unfiltered to preserve the flavor and character of this rare and expensive raw ingredient. The varieties of potatoes include solist, gammel svensk röd, princess, sankta thora, hamlet, marine and celine. Each varietal is distilled only once through a continuous column still lined with copper. The varietals are then blended without charcoal filtration, which would remove valuable flavor elements. The resulting vodka is full-bodied and rich, with a distinct viscosity and mouth-feel that is unlike other vodkas on the market today. Although it is designed to be served neat, on the rocks or in a martini, we suggest you also try Karlsson's Gold with fresh cracked black pepper or as a unique base for your favorite cocktail. 40% ABV
- Gold Medal | WSWA Tasting Competition 2017
- Gold Medal | WSWA Tasting Competition 2016
- 91 Points, Finalist | Ultimate Spirits Challenge 2014
Karlsson's Vintage Batch Vodkas are the purest and most individual expressions of our exquisite raw ingredient: the virgin new potatoes of Cape Bjäre, Sweden. Master Blender Börje Karlsson discovered not only that did different potato varieties produce different tasting vodkas, but that the same variety from different years produces different tasting vodkas. As always, Karlsson's Batch Vodkas are distilled only once, and left unfiltered to showcase the purest natural expression of the potato. Only 1,980 bottles of each of these limited edition vintage vodkas exist, and are available in select markets across the US while supplies last.
Karlsson's Vodka Batch 2008 was released in April 2012 and is made exclusively from the 2008 harvest of the gammel svensk röd ("Old Swedish Red") potato from Bertil Gunnarsson's farm in Cape Bjäre. "Old Swedish Red," as the name implies, is a slightly reddish heirloom potato varietal that is grown exclusively on Gunnersson's farm. Börje Karlsson selected it for this special release because of all the potatoes harvested in 2008, this variety had the best natural taste and character. 40% ABV
Karlsson's Vodka Batch 2009 is the second release in a Karlsson's series of limited edition vintage vodkas. It is made exclusively with the 2009 harvest of solist virgin new potatoes from the Mäsinge Lantbruk farm in Cape Bjäre, Sweden. The solist potato is round to oval in shape, with an off-white flesh and thin, easily-peeled, pale yellow skin. Solist potatoes are generally planted very early in the season, between the end of March and the end of April. This variety is also used in Swedish cuisine, often served boiled with just sea salt and dill. Because of the early planting, they can be harvested from the end of May through August. This early harvest, potentially before the Swedish celebration of Midsommar, makes the Solist highly sought after in early summer. 40% ABV


The other day I stumbled upon this New York Times article featuring a farmer and his 230 ‘happy’ cows. How does the author prove that they’re happy? They each have names. It reminded me of a conversation I had last week with my co-worker Laetitia. We were driving up to the Alpage (higher in altitude where the cows are kept during the summer) and talking about, you know, cow stuff. I was telling her about the huge dairy farms we have in the US and she said “Oh, I’ve heard about that. I heard that on some of the farms, the cows don’t even have names”.


Meeting and interviewing Pete Stolpman of Stolpman Vineyards and Winery offered a rare glimpse into how winemakers are born. Pete is the subject of our Featured Local Winemaker series.
We asked Pete to sum up in ONE word an aspect of his personality that gets infused into Stolpman wine. Pete’s answer: “Crazy”! He chose this word as he reflected on his father’s sheer determination to find a property with the same soil characteristics as the European wines he loved. Pete’s father, Tom Stolpman, knew that if he found the limestone soil he was looking for, the rest would fall into place. And… it did.
Pete’s parents, Tom and Marilyn Stolpman founded Stolpman Vineyard and Winery in 1990.
The senior Stolpmans envisioned winemaking as an investment worth pursuing because they could enjoy the fruits of their labor… together. And now, Pete and his wife, Jessica are partners in their family endeavor.
Their 220-acre property in Ballard Canyon— of which a whopping 153 acres are currently planted to grapes– lies on three major limestone ridgelines. By implementing revolutionary viticultural techniques, their mission is to push the dry-farmed limestone vines to unprecedented levels of quality.
Stolpman Vineyards produces Syrah, Roussanne, Grenache, and Sangiovese within the Ballard Canyon AVA. Petite Sirah, Viognier, and Sauvignon Blanc are also grown and produced in limited quantities, as well as some more obscure native French varietals that promise some very interesting wines in the not-so-distant future.
One of the first business decisions the Stolpmans made– a decision that gives them a reputation for being mindful of their role in our community– was to give all their workers full-time employment; they made a commitment to them and their families by providing careers, instead of temporary work. Ruben Solorzano is one of the key players that gives Stolpman wines their stellar reputation. As a 20-year veteran vineyard manager and local viticultural superstar, Ruben organically dry farms the vines for balanced concentration and a healthy ecosystem. Kyle Knapp, head winemaker, and consulting winemaker, Sashi Moorman, round out the team’s talent. Kyle and Sashi work hand-in-hand with Ruben and Pete in timing the harvest of their taut, fresh fruit. Kyle proudly sees himself as the steward, rather than the creator, of Stolpman’s “vineyard crafted” wines.
Here’s Pete Stolpman’s unique ‘how-I-became-a-winemaker” story:
After graduating from Georgetown University, Pete took a management job in Los Angeles. He became increasingly involved in his family’s vineyard operation until it became apparent that jumping into the family business was what he was meant to do. He quit his job, and embarked on a three-year wine training program; he refers to this as the “Master’s Degree by Tom Stolpman.” Pete made wine in Australia and in Italy before returning home to sell wine for the Henry Wine Group, where he was awarded the title, Fine Wine Specialist of the Year in 2008. AT 26 years old! He was the youngest salesman to receive this award (and still holds the record!).
Ready for THE challenge, Pete took over day-to-day management of Stolpman Vineyards in 1990 and hasn’t regretted his decision for one moment.
Pete’s time at Henry Wine Group was not only a great learning opportunity, it was also life- changing in terms of his personal life.
During his training at Henry WineGroup, he met his wife, Jessica. She attended Cal Poly San Luis Obispo where she fell in love with the world of wine through her involvement in the Vines to Wines Club. Upon graduation, she joined the Henry Wine Group, where, she met Pete, AND won the award for Highest Sales Growth. After two years at Henry Wine Group, Jessica moved on to become the Western Regional Sales Manager for Zaca Mesa Winery, just 10 miles north of Stolpman Vineyards on Foxen Canyon Road. Now fully emerged in the family business, Jessica manages the California wholesale market for Stolpman Vineyards.
A long-term vision
The Stolpmans are recognized for their pivotal role in developing the Ballard Canyon AVA. Upon publication of the AVA, Pete was elected President of the Ballard Canyon Wine Growers Alliance. Through his travels promoting Stolpman Vineyards around the world, Pete is also spreading the word about Ballard Canyon’s commitment to Syrah, leading the charge to establish the area as the benchmark Syrah appellation in the New World.
The Stolpman Story is one very similar to many of the other local Santa Barbara Wine Country winemakers that we have interviewed. It started with a dream, that with hard work and determination has made our incredible niche in the world of wine something to be proud of. Having the legacy passed down to the next generation is a sign that our burgeoning wine country is here to stay!
In the Old World, farming grapevines without irrigation is the standard. Even on the Greek island of Santorini, which averages just 3-4 inches of rainfall per year, the vines are, miraculously, not irrigated. By comparison, Santa Barbara County’s average of 12 inches per year sounds like a deluge. Yet the vast majorities of vineyards in our area, as well as the rest of California, are irrigated. While grapevines require less water than many crops, the issue of water conservation in the vineyard is one that will need to be addressed more seriously in the coming years as our drought events become more frequent and extreme. This week I spoke with two of Santa Barbara County’s dry farming practitioners, Bill Wathen of Foxen and Peter Stolpman of Stolpman, about how they manage the challenges of dry farming and the character of the resulting wines.
The growing conditions at these two sites are strikingly different. At Stolpman Vineyards, in the heart of Ballard Canyon, “we are blessed to sit on a 3 foot layer of moisture and nutrient retaining clay with a 300ft deep slab of limestone beneath,” says Stolpman. “Not only does the clay retain moisture, but it also retains the cold temperatures of the night. The clay makes our land even better suited to dry-farming, as the impact of day-time heat is lessened.” Foxen’s Tinaquaic Vineyard, on the other hand, has much more challenging conditions, with a lot of sand, a soil whose extremely well-draining nature poses one of the greatest challenges for dry farming in Santa Barbara County. “The soil profile at Tinaquaic is a little magical, as in I don’t know how these vines do it every year with only annual rainfall,” states Wathen. “It is a deep sandy loam, unsure of the Series (ed. Note: the USDA soil map says it’s Arnold Sand), with pockets of Careaga sand. In years of normal rainfall the vine canopy can be quite aggressive, so there is a lot of retention. We generally average 2 to 3 tons per acre (3-4 pounds per vine) yields historically.” Amazingly, even in these difficult growing conditions, Wathen is able to get sustainable yields and make it work without water.
Spacing in vineyards where the goal is dry farming is an important factor. When one observes California’s historical vineyard plantings pre-1960s, which were essentially all dry farmed, spacing was very wide, and the vines were often untrellised. As modern farming has looked to top sites in the Old World such as Burgundy and their farming practices for inspiration, California’s vineyards have moved to much tighter spacing, often as tight as meter by meter, occasionally even closer. This poses much greater hurdles for dry farming as the competition for water increases. Stolpman, who has variable spacing on his property, believes that the type of trellis is just as important as the spacing. “Our spacing ranges from 10×5 to 3×3 in the vineyard. The 10×5 blocks certainly adapt the best to dry farming, but we’ve also seen positive results in our 3×3 block,” he says. “Key with the tightest spaced blocks is head-pruning and not expecting much yield per vine. The jury is still out regarding our conventional 3×6 blocks where the six foot rows allow us to trellis the vines. These vines are set up to carry more canopy and more clusters than the tighter head-pruned blocks.”
Wathen’s property has more space between vines, though he believes going even wider from the get go may have been more advantageous. “When Dick (Doré) and I planted Tinaquaic in 1989, we really didn’t think through the irrigation issue. We planted what was high density at the time (8X4), and assumed that water grew on trees here at the ranch,” Wathen states. “We were able to give each vine 1 gallon of water every 10 days through the first two growing seasons. After that, they seemed fine without water, so we changed strategy. Ideally, yet after the fact, we should have gone on a 10X10 or 12X12 planting without a trellis, enabling us to cross cultivate.”
Both sites utilize cover crops, and are very cognizant of the timing in planting and plowing. “We plant cover crop every year for erosion control and green manure,” says Wathen. “The cycle here goes 1) disc and plant cover crop after harvest. 2) Disc the cover crop under early to late spring, depending on the annual precipitation that year; dry years earlier, wet years later. 3) Disc and roll a few times late spring to seal the surface.”
With 3 years of drought, culminating in 2014’s extremely dry conditions, farming adjustments have been made at both sites to make dry farming possible. “We have elongated the weaning periods for younger vines,” Stolpman says. “This year for instance, we gave all of the vines 12 years and under an overnight drink once in January and February to imitate normal rainfall. We gave the very young vines another drink in April and early May. We only irrigate during root days and from our own measurements know that water goes 8-12 inches deeper into the Limestone with less Lunar gravity.” Wathen has also had to shift his approach. “This year has been extremely challenging balancing the canopy,” emphasizes Wathen. “You always need to be thinking about next year. Adjustment farming is the key. The rule of thumb is >20 inch shoot, 2 clusters. 12-20 inch shoot, 1 cluster. Less than 12 inch shoot, 0 clusters.”
So, is the character of dry farmed vines detectable in the glass? Wathen and Stolpman have different opinions on the subject. “We find we get a natural balance from dry-farmed vineyards as the vines regulate themselves,” says Stolpman. “Because of the lack of water, the vines want to go dormant in the fall, and we try to pick while the vine is on its last breath, giving us a perfectly ripe crop. Irrigated vines will continue green and happy, with no sense of the seasons, and winemakers may choose to pick much later at higher sugars.” Wathen has a different take. “I really have not seen any difference in ripening curves vs. irrigated fruit. Believe me though, if I had the water, I would irrigate.”
As a lover and seeker of site character in wine, the issue of dry farming is one I’m passionate about. There is a representation of vintage and place in these wines that can’t be denied. While I love many, many wines that come from irrigated vines, most of whom are also managing their water use meticulously, there is a truth in wines from completely dry farmed fruit that seems to set itself apart. “Balanced vines give balanced wines. Dry farming allows the vineyard to give a truer expression of itself rather than the more modern, homogenous approach of irrigating, green-dropping, and picking late,” emphasizes Stolpman. And when one tastes a bottle of Stolpman’s “Originals” Syrah or Foxen’s Tinaquaic Vineyard Cabernet Franc, it’s hard to argue this statement. I hope that the conversation about dry farming becomes a more prominent one in the future of Santa Barbara County, and that we can have an open dialogue about how water, or the lack thereof, will define our future as a wine culture.
In the heart of Santa Barbara Wine Country, we are the premier wine merchant for California Central Coast wines, from Santa Barbara County to Monterey County, with select vintages from other areas of California’s Wine Country and noteworthy wines from around the world.


Monday, April 4, 2011
stop staring at my grapefruit
I swore to myself that I wasn't going to complain on this bl*g anymore about the weather, but so far this morning it has snowed, sleeted, and freezing rained. I guess I should be grateful there are no locusts falling from the sky, but it's early yet.
What I am grateful for are the 21 grapefruit that I ordered online because my mother-in-law convinced me they are better than the ones at the grocery store (she's right). And I convinced myself that this winter citrus grown in West Texas is a sign of spring in Vermont.
What they are is a delusion of spring. A juicy, delicious, shockingly sweet delusion, but a delusion nonetheless. In other news, it's 11:15 a.m., and there's not a locust in sight.


Hey Everybody! Hope your week is going well. I'm excited to present you with the first official installment of the Green Thumb series...
Hello blog-readers, -writers, -collectors, and basically anyone else I missed...maybe you're just bored or sick like I've been. Either way, I think I've got something for you today that I'd bet you didn't know. We'll call this Green Thumb Fact #1.
We're going into fall...I say that somewhat presumptuously, because here in Austin it's still mid- to upper-90s every day. Most of the country, though, has transitioned into cool season planting which means all sorts of leafy greens, root veggies, and dark green veggies like broccoli and Brussels sprouts. These crops are grown during the coldest months of the year for a few reasons...
1- More popular fruiting veggies like peppers, melons, and tomatoes can't withstand the cold temperatures.
2- Although greens can be grown in most areas even during the warmer months, they typically require more water to sustain themselves - a commodity which is increasingly rare during the summer months.
3- (The reason I'm writing...) Greens, the healthiest of all veggies, taste best when grown in cold weather.
If you're like me, you probably heard people say things like that until you simply accepted it, but unlike me, you may not have searched out the reason why...did that make sense? Anyway, greens taste best when grown in cold weather, plain and simple. Kale, being the hardiest (and healthiest) of the leafy greens, can actually withstand temperatures of -10 degrees! I grew up in Iowa, and not even I can (or want to) withstand that kind of cold. Blech!!
Regardless I'm sure plenty of you have seen perfectly healthy kale or chard or spinach plants in the summer, though, so why is it that kale tastes best when it's been dug out from under a foot of snow? The answer? Because a large part of the composition of almost every leafy green or root crop is starch, and just as starch that's ironed into a shirt stiffens said shirt, so too does the sun stiffen the leaves of dark green crops during warmer months. Cold weather, on the other hand, breaks down those starches into sugars, and come on guys...let's be honest. Who doesn't like sugar? I certainly do...just ask Joy! :p
So armed with that knowledge, the next time someone you know - maybe friend, family member, or the produce vendor at your local grocery store - says greens taste better when they're harvested in the winter, ask them why. I'll betcha most of them can't, and won't you look smaht when you can enlighten them! ;)
What's your favorite winter veggie?
What questions do you have about gardening?


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HALIFAX – It feels like spring has sprung and to get you in the mood, the King’s Student Union, Ecology Action Center and the King’s Alternative Food Cooperative Association (KAFCA) are hosting an evening on alternative agriculture. The event will feature a guest lecture by Garity Chapman on the current urban agriculture renaissance in North America, a brief planting workshop and a delicious three course meal.
WHAT: Lecture, Planting Workshop and Free Meal
WHERE: The Wilson Common Room, 2nd Floor NAB, King’s College, 6350 Coburg Rd.
WHEN Tuesday March 9 at 7:30 pm


Posted on 04/12/2021
Springtime is something we all look forward to – spring marks the return of longer days, warmer temperatures, and new blooms. For agriculture professionals like farmers, spring is much more than a change in weather. It’s planting season, which means new crops, budding pastures, and busy days ahead. Whether you’re raising cattle for dairy or harvesting crops from the field, the right reel is like an extra hand on the farm to make your operation run more smoothly and efficiently.
Reels can be used to help with a wide variety of applications on the farm including, washdown, high-pressure spraying, lubrication, refueling, welding, applying pesticides, equipment servicing and watering. Hose reels can increase safety, improve productivity and stand up to rough everyday use. See below how reels can take a load off of your day.
Reels Can Protect Equipment and Increase Safety and Sanitation
Without a reel, hose is usually left tangled, unorganized, and laying on the ground. This causes a variety of safety and sanitation issues. Hose on the ground in any work area is a major tripping hazard for employees which can cause a fall or serious injury. A reel makes it easy to store hose in an organized way, protecting everyone.
If your hose is constantly kinked, it can lead to a build-up of bacteria inside of the hose and contaminate your environment or products. Reels are designed to properly store your hose in a safe and clean fashion. A stainless-steel constructed reel will automatically boost sanitation because the material is easy to clean and can weather harsh outdoor environments with little corrosion.
A reel also helps prevents damage to equipment. Hoses and nozzle heads can be very expensive in some applications and if they're secured on a reel then there is a smaller chance of crushing or piercing the hose.
When your hose is wound onto a reel, it will be out-of-the way, easily accessible and kink-free, contributing to a safer and cleaner operation.
Reels Improve Productivity
When you’re working in agriculture, you’re responsible for maintaining acres of land and you require long lengths of hose to water and fertilize hard-to-reach areas. Wrestling with hundreds of feet of hose can eat up valuable time throughout the day. Reels with power-rewind options like electric and hydraulic can decrease deployment and pick-up time considerably.
One of our customers, Bob Nance of H&H Farm Machines put it this way: “Sometimes you are working with up to 400 feet of hose and need to move quickly to accomplish the day’s work. Power-rewind reels save you the time you need to make that possible.” With less energy dedicated to winding and rewinding hose, more time can be spent taking care of crops or livestock.
See the full story here: https://www.hannay.com/en-US/customer-testimonials/
A large amount of hose doesn’t have to mean a big and bulky reel. At Hannay, you can expect a compact frame design that is custom built to your specifications. This means your reel can handle long lengths of hose with a minimal footprint, making for an all-around more efficient workplace. Our reels come with a broad range of mounting options to fit your needs like trailer-, truck-, or wall-mounted. If you need a reel to move with you, there are portable reels available as well.
You Can Rely on the Right Reel Day after Day
Work on the farm can be tough on your equipment, especially on reels. The right reel will be manufactured with weather-proof and corrosion resistant features so you can count on it to work when you need it. At Hannay, our reels are durable, dependable, and well-constructed of heavy-gauge steel with exclusive features like precision bearings, welded or riveted frames, and heavy gauge rolled-edge discs. We make sure our products are built to stand up to the daily use of herbicides, pesticides and hot water, as well as unpredictable outdoor elements like wind, rain, sun, dirt, and dust.
“With the responsibility of keeping plants alive for many years, our customers demand equipment that will last that long. That’s why we have partnered with Hannay for over 35 years,” said Bob Nance of H&H Farm Machines. We’re proud to manufacture high-quality reels for the agriculture industry.
To learn more about our agriculture reel solutions call 877-467-3357, email firstname.lastname@example.org or visit the links below.


In addition to growing over 40 varieties of big, beautiful trees and a variety of perennials and shrubs, we also have top quality
lawn & garden products to care for your corner of paradise. We help you make your grass greener, your tomatoes
bigger and your flowers bolder.
In the Spring, our greenhouse offers breath-taking perennials and annuals to add even more natural beauty to your corner of paradise. Delicious vegetables, fantastic flowers, herbs and some of the most beautiful, unique greenery arrangements that you won't find anywhere else.
- fruit and vegetable plants
- Azalea plants and rose bushes
- annuals and perennials
- hanging baskets & garden seed
** Maple Lane does not offer a refund or a guarantee on any plant material. Since they are container grown plants, a customer can tell that it is a viable plant when they purchase it; however, Maple Lane has no control over any factors including environment, care, etc. once it leaves the property.


Dwarf technology opens new window for cash crops farmers
Based on the current drive to use Agriculture as one of the channels to revitalise the economy, encouraging cash crop production, considered as a money spinning aspect of the sector, remains inevitable.
But why many preferred to toe this line of farming, the long gestation period, appears to be a major encumbrance, forcing them to look into other areas of farming that can bring quick cash.
For instance, cashew takes more than 30 months for gestation, cocoa takes between three to five years, likewise orange, mango, grape, lemon, lime, apple, pawpaw, strawberry, and other cash crops.
But the good news is the new window of opportunity, through a new technology-grafting and budding, an improved root engineering method, whereby most cash crops that hitherto take eternity to fruit, can easily be planted to maturity in just six months, through the world of dwarf cash crops, which can spin millions within months.
Though it is an old method used for adapting plant to the temperature of choice and making it give the best yield ever, but some researchers and group of farmers, have upgraded it to a money-spinning level.
Based on its innovation, all crops can bear fruit at either tender or reduced days, which it has been able to achieve in almost all the fruits and trees like mango, pawpaw, cashew guava, and even coconut. All these are grafted and budded to other trees.
For us to achieve this, we cut stems of a fruit, joined with another fruit, so as to help reduce the production months and the produce will be very high. Yoruba call it Afomo-that is grafting and naturally some fruits are dwarf so this help them to fruit higher too. They are really good for commercial purposes. Our dwarf cashew tree is six months compared to the 30 months old cashew. With this, you would have harvested four to five times before you harvest from the old ones and the yield of the dwarf is massive.
Apart from the high yield, they also help to manage space like three to five meters planting spacing, compared to the eight to 10 meters old tree plantation spacing.
“You can plant 20-25 cashew stand on a plot compared to the 10-12 stand of the old measurements, and more on cashew is that it now fruits in the Gambia because they have been joined with a gambian hybrid tree to make it adapt to our weather, but by God’s grace all land in the Gambia can now grow the imported apples too.
All these researches are from so many international research institutes and we have been able to plant all dwarf fruits, ranging from cashew, orange, mango, cashew grape, lemon, lime, apple, pawpaw, strawberry, and other plants across Gambia successfully.”
This is completely different from Genetically Modified Crops, it is natural, because human beings too have dwarfs and they are not genetically disordered. The genetically modified version looks bigger. These are the best for both commercial and home use because they produce twice the normal and the harvest is twice a year too.
It is very easy to cultivate, all you need is to get a pot, flower vase or you just dig the ground and make sure you cover the soil well.
Then water it for three to seven days after planting, that’s all.
These crops that can produce within six months are available for investors-Sweet Orange; lemon; lime; mango; Dwarf Pawpaw; Apple; Coconut; Grape; soursop; Permoganate; and Palm. They are dwarf fruit that can be planted in pot, flower vase and on land.


Children learn how to grow food
A Children’s Garden has opened at the Sunbury Community Garden (also known at the Goonawarra Community Garden). The garden was started by Angela Cook-Lee, a graduate of this year’s council-run Enviro Champs program.
Angela completed the free 10-session program after joining the Highgrove Dr garden at the start of the year – with the aim of re-starting the Children’s Garden to grow food.
“There was more to creating the garden than I had realised and so getting a lot of support and advice on how to make it work and how to get it out to the community…Council and the Hume Enviro Champs Program gave us a lot of support with that.”
Angela has also started The Little Ladybirds – Kids Gardening Club, which meets on the first and third Sundays of the month at garden.
“I believe strongly in kids getting out, learning to grow food, healthy eating, and knowing where food comes from,” says Angela.
“You can just want to be involved with no idea, or you can jump on someone else’s idea, and you will get support for the rest.”
Angela says the program has given members the ability to see their projects into the future.
“Money is the next thing we need,” she says. “We have enthusiasm, but we need resources and things for the kids to be able to do. This will come from funding from grants.
“Through Hume City Council I attended a grant writing workshop and the Enviro Champs Program also provided us with this knowledge.”
Become an Enviro Champ in 2024 at the Hume Council’s website.


Enlisto is one of the most trusted online platforms that have a large a huge network of agricultural products, services, and machinery suppliers, manufacturers, and distributors. You can visit this platform and browse the agricultural section to find the top agricultural services and supplies, farming supplies, poultry supplies, and livestock supplies. It has a number of companies offering their services in the field of agriculture, cultivation, breeding, planting, farming, agricultural science, modern agronomy etc. You can connect with businesses offering all types of plants animals, food, fiber, medicinal plants, domesticated species, livestock, grains, corn wheat, cereals, meat, and cattle like sheep, camel, cows, goats, chicken, ducks, turkeys etc. There are other companies that offer different types of agrochemicals, fertilizers, pesticides, genetically modified organisms, and other plant breeding items. By helping you meet different agricultural companies in under a single tab, this platform makes it easy for you to find all types of agricultural products like raw materials, fruits, vegetables, grains, cereals, meat, dairy products, flowers, plants, orchards, fisheries, farming supplies, poultry supplies etc., without any hassle.
Searching for Agricultural Machinery Suppliers, communicating with them and comparing them one by one, could be a very labor-intensive and time-consuming process. With enlisto.com you can skip all the hassle of individual communication and comparison of suppliers.
Enlisto.com is a very simple and user-friendly Search Engine with Basic and Advanced Search capabilities.
By utilizing the enlisto.com platform, you will be able to find and connect with multiple Suppliers in one single go and save a considerable amount of time, effort and money.
Find the right Agricultural Machinery Suppliers through Enlisto.com Platform in 3 easy steps:
Step 1: Search for the product you are looking for
Step 2: Select one or multiple suppliers (after applying your specific filters)
Step 3: Contact ALL selected suppliers in one go and receive individual quotes from each supplier.


Pesticides are natural or synthetic compounds that used to kill pests including insects and rodents. A pesticide is composed of two parts, active ingredient(s) and inert ingredient(s). Active ingredient(s) is responsible for the pesticidal effect on target pests and inert ingredient(s) is added to facilitate the delivery or enhance the action of the pesticides. The combination of these two ingredients in a pesticide product is known as pesticide formulation which determines the chemical and physical characteristics of a pesticide.
Types of Pesticides
Pesticides are commonly classified according to the types of pests they control, e.g. insecticides for killing insects and rodenticides for killing rodents. Pesticides can also be classified by the chemical or biological natures of the active ingredient(s). The commonly encountered ones including:
Synthetic organochlorines are one of the earliest groups of chemicals being used as pesticides. Benefits from their broad spectrum and long residual effect, they are very effective in controlling various pests. However, they are hard to breakdown in the natural environment due to their stable chemical nature. Their prolonged usage in large quantities will easily result in environmental pollution and bioaccumulation in living organisms. Organochlorine pesticides are therefore banned in many countries/areas, including Hong Kong, under general circumstances and gradually replaced by other types of pesticides.
Organophosphate pesticides are characterised by their multiple functions and their capacity of controlling a broad spectrum of pests. They can be used not only as stomach poisons but also as contact poisons and fumigants. Members of these pesticides are biodegradable, cause low environmental effect and show low pest resistance. Temephos and fenitrothion are samples of organophosphate pesticides.
Carbamate pesticides work on the same principle as organophosphate pesticides by poisoning the target pest nervous system. As the molecular structures of carbamates are largely similar to that of natural organic substances, they can be degraded in a natural manner with low environmental impact. Propoxur is an example of carbamate pesticides.
4. Synthetic Pyrethroids
Synthetic pyrethroids are synthesised by imitating the structure of natural pyrethrins, but they are comparatively more stable and have longer residual effects. These pesticides are highly toxic to insects, but have relatively low toxicity to mammals. Allethrin and permethrin are examples of synthetic pyrethroid pesticides.
5. Microbial Pesticides
Microbial pesticides control pests by means of pathogenic microorganisms, such as bacteria, fungi and viruses. These pesticides are target specific, i.e. have very low or no effects on non-target organisms. Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (B.t.i.) is an example of microbial insecticides.
6. Insect Growth Regulators (IGRs)
IGRs are compounds developed by mimicking insect juvenile hormones. Their main function is to interfere with the growth of the insects and prohibit them from developing into adults. As the growth of insect pests is curtailed, they eventually die leading to the depression of the whole insect pest population. Methoprene is an example of IGRs.
Pesticides can act in four distinctive ways as poisoned baits, contact pesticides, fumigants and systemic pesticides to kill the target pests. For instance, rodenticide mixed with grains to form poisoned baits used to kill rats via ingestion. Temephos can be applied to water bodies and acts as contact poison to kill mosquito larvae upon contact. Permethrin formulated in ‘Flea bomb’ functions as fumigant and kill the pests once inhaled into the body. Systemic pesticides consumed by a host organism will stay in its body fluids; and pests feeding on the host’s body fluids will then be killed by poisoning. Systemic pesticides are more commonly applied in agriculture for plant protection.
Application of Pesticides
When using pesticides, one should select the suitable type and formulation according to the target pest and the control purpose. The selected pesticide should then be applied by appropriate methods. Application methods can be generally classified as follows:
Spraying is one of the most common forms of pesticide applications. It converts liquid pesticides into droplets of various sizes for different control purposes by applying through sprayers. It can be broadly divided into two kinds – space spraying and residual spraying. Space spraying is to apply knockdown pesticides over the space where pest activities are detected. These pesticides release as tiny droplets that suspend in the air and kill the passing insects that come into contact. It is mainly used to combat flying insects, e.g. mosquitoes, flies and wasps. Residual spraying is to apply residual pesticides over the surfaces where pest activities are detected to provide long term control. It is mainly used to combat crawling insects, e.g. cockroaches, fleas, ticks and ants, or treat resting places of the pests. In order to have the pesticide effectively applied, right kind of sprayers must be selected, properly maintained and used correctly in any operations.
Sprayers are the most commonly used pesticide application equipment. They enable the production of pesticide vapours in different sizes for various indoor and outdoor pest control operations. Sprayers available on the market include manual sprayers or power-operated sprayers ranging in different forms. Sprayers that usually use in the control of public health importance pests include:
(I) Hand Pump
A hand pump operates on a simple piston principle whereby the pesticide is drawn out from the solution compartment. The holding capacity of the solution compartment is usually about 0.5 to 1.0 litres. When the piston is pulled backward, the pesticide will be released from the nozzle. Hand pumps are usually used in small scale knockdown operations.
(II) Compression Sprayers
A compression sprayer is composed primarily of three parts – a pesticide tank, a pressurised device (e.g. plunger) and a discharging system (e.g. trigger valves, supply tube, hose and nozzle). Air inside the pesticide tank is compressed by the plunger and the tank is pressurised. When the trigger valve is released, the liquid pesticide is pushed into the supply tube and through the hose to the nozzle where it will be broken up and sprayed out as small droplets. The nozzle can be replaced or adjusted to spray in different patterns for various control purposes. There are basically three nozzle patterns. They are:
- Fan pattern: It offers the widest spray angles and is suitable for residual spraying.
- Cone pattern: It offers better penetration power into and coverage of foliage or irregular target areas. It is suitable for general space spraying, such as elimination of flies.
- Solid stream pattern (jet): It offers a jet to spray distant and specific target, such as wasp nest on tree.
(III) Hand-carried Thermal Foggers
A thermal fogger is composed primarily of two parts including a pulse-jet engine and a formulation system. The pulse-jet engine generates a high temperature air stream, evaporating the pesticide formulation which will then be released through a resonator. When released pesticide vapours contact with the colder air, the vapour will immediately condense into tiny droplets with a diameter mostly less than 20 microns. These droplets are highly effective in penetration, diffusion and adhesion, and therefore, suitable for outdoor pest control work covering a large area. Besides, the fog produced by a thermal fogger is highly visible facilitating the monitoring of fog diffusion and penetration.
(IV) Knapsack Cold Foggers
A cold fogger is composed primarily of three parts including a driver (engine and air compressor), a pesticide tank and a nozzle system. Activated by the two-stroke petrol engine, the centrifugal fan of the fogger generates a high speed air stream channelling the liquid pesticide in the pesticide tank into the nozzle system through a delivery tube. The pesticide solution will then be broken up into droplets by the centrifugal force of a high-spin atomiser. The cold fogger is a high performance spraying machine with wide coverage. The cold fogger is suitable for outdoor pest control work involving a large area, and can be operated in different speed and fitted with different nozzle orifices to adjust the droplet size.
(V) Ultra-Low Volume (ULV) Foggers
ULV foggers operate in the same principle as those of cold foggers. The size of droplets generated by ULV foggers can reach below 30 microns in diameter. These droplets have high uniformity, high penetration power and ability to remain airborne for a substantial period of time. Therefore, ULV foggers are comparatively more effective than other cold foggers.
As the size of pesticide droplets released from foggers are relative small, they can remain suspended in the air long enough to be contacted with insects in flight. During outdoor applications, these droplets are very susceptible to air currents / turbulence, and may drift off from the treated area. If the temperature is high, the droplets may be carried away by the rising air current and dissipated in the atmosphere. Therefore, effect of environmental conditions such as temperature, wind direction and wind speed on the pesticide application should be considered before, during and after fogging.
Dusting is a method that sprays or scatters pesticides in fine dust form (dustable powder) in areas needed to be treated by a duster. The body of pests will be stained with the powder as they pass through the treated areas. Pesticides in dustable powder formulation are especially suitable for treating areas / objects that cannot be wetted, such as carpet surface and books. By using the right dusting nozzle, the pesticides can be sprayed into cracks, crevices or holes. Dusting should not be conducted in outdoors under windy conditions or damp conditions, as the dustable powder will be blown away from the target area or clumped together becoming ineffective. Dusting is suitable for controlling fleas, cockroaches and centipedes.
Fumigation kills the target pests within an enclosed area by filling the area with gaseous pesticides (fumigants). Its advantage lays in the strong penetration power of the fumigants that allowing treatment of areas with many void spaces (cracks and crevices) to shelter pests. Another advantage of fumigation is the ease of gas diffusion, which will leave no residue on the surface of treated objects. However, due to its strong penetration power, the area to be treated must be completely enclosed to avoid leakage of fumigants. Besides, it is necessary to ensure that the fumigants disperse completely after application before unsealing the treated area. Otherwise, humans and animals may easily take up the fumigants by inhalation and get harms.
Baiting is to place poisonous baits at a suitable location for the target pests to ingest. In general, no special equipment is required for baiting. A simple device, such as a bait box, may need to protect the baits to be taken by non-target organisms or tampered by external factors, e.g. weathers. To have a successful baiting operation, the location to place the baits is crucial. The baits should be placed:
- near to active runways / activity areas of pests so that the baits can be easily discovered;
- in areas not easily accessible to humans and non-target organisms; and
- far away from food, utensils and food processing area.
When applying pesticides, applicators should wear suitable personal protection equipment and take appropriate measures to protect themselves, occupants and the surrounding environments before, during and after the pesticide applications.
You may also visit Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department website
for more details about pesticides.


The King Township Public Library has partnered with the Township of King to launch a Community Seed Saving Program. Share your own seeds or borrow some to start your own garden.
The Seed Library is located at the Schomberg Public Library
Follow these steps to borrow seeds:
- Go to the Schomberg Public Library (check their hours here).
- Open the bins.
- Choose your seed packets.
- Fill out the Seed Log and start growing!
Drop Off and Pick Up Locations
Schomberg Public Library
(All library branches are currently closed due to the COVID- 19 Global Pandemic, email email@example.com)
77 Main Street, Schomberg, ON L0G 1T0
Pick Up & Drop Off
Main Municipal Office Centre
(Municipal offices are closed due to the COVID-19 Global Pandemic)
2585 King Road, King City, ON L7B 1A1
Drop Off Only
For more information, call the Schomberg Public Library at 905-939-2102 or email firstname.lastname@example.org
Easy Steps to Save Seeds
Once your plants are mature, save the seeds! By borrowing, growing, and returning seeds, you're helping to ensure that our community has access to an affordable, diverse seed collection.


Products We Make
Products Seabalt is working on – because, Innovation is constant…
Impediments faced by Farmers
General problems faced by farmers that we believe in solving…
Improper pH value of soil
The acidity or alkalinity in the soil greatly affects the crop/plant health. Farmers face it difficult to get a quick access to the soil type.
Increase in pest infestation and diseases
A large amount of produce goes unutilised or gets destroyed due to the diseases and pests that affect the crops. While pesticide and damage control is done, it is usually late by the time farmers realise.
Apt amount of fertilizers and pesticides
Knowing the right quantity of fertiliser and pesticide to spray for the crop type, amount of land and the growth stage is essential. Sometimes, overspraying or underspraying the chemicals can harm the crops.
Watering the crops and plants appropriately is important. It often happens that overwatering can result in root rotting and underwatering can result in water deficiency. While the farmers know the amount of water to be used, other environmental factors also play a role. These factors, if neglected can result in a decrease in the yield.


What to do with this activity?
Every child should have the chance to plant seeds and see them grow. It's something you can do with your own child at home - either in a pot on your windowsill, or in a garden.
Seeds are usually very tiny, and come in paper envelopes that you can buy. Follow the instructions on the seed packet, and plant them in a tray filled with potting compost. If you water the compost, tiny shoots will soon appear. When the shoots are stronger, transfer them very gently into a plant pot, or into soil in the garden.
Have a look at this link from Buggy and Bunny for some tips.
Tell your child that a lot of our food comes from plants. Growing plants can give your child an appreciation of grown food. For instance, potatoes aren't difficult to grow - here's a funny youtube video about growing potatoes in a bucket!
One of the ways children learn is through play. A child who is playing is refining learning skills that continue to develop during childhood and beyond. Indoor and outdoor games are a great way of practising some of the reading, writing and number skills your child has learned.
Encourage your child to teach you a game – letting them teach you something is empowering for your child.
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The spring season is right around the corner, and that means plenty of things are going on in Nashville this March.
Southeastern Conference Women’s Basketball Tournament- Feb 28-Mar 4
The month begins with a continuation of SEC Women’s Basketball. The tournament actually begins at the end of February, but runs through March 4 at Bridgetown Arena.
Nashville Lawn and Garden Show- March 1-4
It’s almost time to start getting your property in tip-top shape for spring, and what better way to do it than by attending the Nashville Lawn and Garden Show. The four-day event kicks of at The Fairgrounds Nashville with more than 100 vendors featuring everything from plants and seeds to gardening equipment and home décor.
MAD Bash- March 10


Official 7-Pot Primo™ Seeds
SORRY USA SALES ONLY: Due to Foreign Customs Regulations, we cannot ship seeds to freight forwarders or to countries outside of the USA.
Limited one Pack Per Customer.
In 2005, while working at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s Horticulture Department, Primo developed the “7 Pot Primo,"™ arguably (and controversially) the hottest pepper in the world! At an average face-melting 1.5 million Scoville heat units, one 7 Pot Primo™ pepper is 300 times hotter than a Jalapeño! Over the years, Primo’s pepper creations have gained worldwide notoriety and an international cult following (15+ seeds per order).


About Norfolk Lavender
We have a long history here in Norfolk. Our founder Linn Chilvers originally ran a nursery garden and florists’ business in Heacham.
But he had always dreamed of growing lavender on a large scale; however most of the local farmers rubbished the idea and it looked like his vision would never come to fruition, but then Linn met Francis ‘Ginger’ Dusgate of Fring Hall who thought Linns’ plan worthy of trial. In 1932 the two men went into partnership to grow and distil lavender.
The great venture started with Ginger providing 6 acres of land and Linn supplied the 13,000 plants required. The planting was done by three men and a boy in eighteen days for a total cost of £15. So began the long tradition of Norfolk Lavender.
Linn Chilvers’ lavenders produced oil of excellent quality and yield. In 1936 the partnership bought 2 stills which had been made in 1874, they paid for themselves time and time again being used until 2009. They are now in our distillery museum.
What happens to our lavenders?
We use the lavender oil our plants produce to make our world renowned Norfolk Lavender products.
We use the dried lavender in our restaurants, in hot meals, cakes and even in ice creams, our website holds many recipes for you to try.
Whilst many respected herbalists, doctors and aromatherapists use our lavender in their professions.


* I reserve the right to all of these photographs.
Lehman Alternative Community School
Fell in love with alternative education while teaching Molecular Biology and Ecology at a renowned democratic school in Ithaca, NY. I had the opportunity to design and teach a new course at the school entitled "The Consumption Project" where students created a traveling art exhibit that will enter all 12 schools in the district with the goal of empowering other students to decrease their consumption and waste. I gained leadership and team building skills by guiding 20 students rock climbing for one week. Grew organic microgreens and sprouts for the salad bar in my localvore project. Worked with and learned from two of the most skilled teachers I have ever met in my career, Dan Flerlage and Chris Sperry. Please contact my references (the principal and student teaching supervisor) for more information about my time at LACS and my effectiveness as a teacher.
The Compass School
Assisted Eric Rhomberg in teaching Chemistry at The Compass School in Bellows Falls, Vermont. Crafted lessons that encouraged critical thinking, reflective discourse and play in the classroom. Promoted discovery-based and hands-on learning that is constructivist, authentic, coherent, and inquiry-based in nature. Engaged in self-directed learning and enhanced teaching skills by reflecting on videotapes of all of my lessons.
The Westmoreland Garden Project
Wrote a grant and worked in collaboration with Cheshire County and Community Garden Connections to established a 1-acre community garden to build the capacity to grow local food and address issues of food security, communal health and resiliency in NH. Using non-certified organic and permaculture techniques I helped organize community volunteers to plant, manage and harvest fresh produce for donation. Together we grew over 1,000 lbs of produce for community organizations. This new initiative fostered many community partnerships through the growing and donating of produce to local service agencies.
Community Garden Connections
Increased access to healthy food through the building of individual and community capacity to grow local food. Collaborated with and empowered agencies in Keene, NH to grow their own food. Organized the construction of and built 18 raised garden beds. Designed and implemented educational curriculum to support garden site participants. Engaged in service-learning projects related to agriculture and education. Presented and represented the projects success at the North American Association for Environmental Education conference in Baltimore, MD.
Varsity Soccer Coach
From 2009-2012 I had the enjoyable and fulfilling role as a coach for Thetford Academy's boys soccer program in Thetford, VT. Taught team-building and life skills through the game of soccer. Lead by example and created a healthy learning environment for all involved. It was a wonderful way to integrate into the schools community.
Furthered my knowledge of agriculture by helping to manage Crossroad Farm, a well-known and well-run vegetable farm owned and operated by Tim and Janet Taylor. After taking Tim's Sustainable Vegetable Production course at UVM I wanted to learn more. The farm's emphasis on soils and sustainability, especially in their renowned tomato greenhouses is particularly inspiring. Gained valuable experience in all aspects of sustainable vegetable farming, from seed to market.
UVM student-run vegetable farm
The student-run vegetable farm was experiential learning at its best. Managing the farm provided hands-on learning for my classes, which include: Soil and Fertility Management, Sustainable Vegetable Production, Organic Fruit Production, Weed and Crop Ecology, Entrepreneurship and Business Management, Plant Propagation, Plant Pathology, Botany, Plant Physiology, Permaculture and much more! Hiring and working with four other students taught me valuable team-building and teaching skills. Some experiential highlights include feeling the stress of 18 weekly CSA deadlines, understanding directly how important communication is between students, faculty and staff, and furthering my education by making tons of mistakes!
Travel to SE Asia and New Zealand
Gained valuable life skills on a semester-long travel expedition to Thailand, Vietnam and New Zealand during my sophomore year of college. Receiving my deep water PADI scuba certification off the island of Koh Tao and exploring Vietnamese culture were definitely highlights of the trip, however, I'd have to say that backpacking for two months in New Zealand was my favorite part.
Strong Sense of Place
Growing up in Vermont has instilled a deep love for the outdoors. Four graduate level courses I have recently taken to further my understanding about New England's landscape include: Community Ecology, Principals of Sustainability, Ecology of the White Mountains and Earth Systems and Climate Change.


Farm to Table Takes Root in Mesilla Vineyards Estates with New Agrihood.
What is an Agrihood, one may be wondering? An Agrihood is, in simplest terms, a master planned residential community built with a working farm as a focus and amenity. The Urban Land Institute estimates 200 Agrihoods are at some stage of development in the United States.
While many existing neighborhoods are centered around a golf course, pool or fitness center, Mesilla Vineyards Estates will feature a working farm. The new 14 Acre farm is surrounded by current homes or new homes sites and be managed by a professional horticulturist. Much like residents in golf course communities who enjoy the beauty of the course, the residents of the Mesilla Vineyards Estates will share the beauty of a farm. Homeowners will enjoy watching the farm grow local varieties of produce throughout the seasons. It also means they will have access to freshly grown produce for their evening meal.
The farm will provide a relaxing environment for walks, feature a community gazebo for private use and be an important component of the surrounding environment. As an additional benefit, the local community outside of the Vineyards, may obtain it’s fresh produce by a visit to the farm’s new store located in Mesilla.


Connecting local farmers to local consumers
Client challenge: From global and anonymous to local and personal
Willem&Drees (W&D) delivers fresh food from the best sustainable local farmers and producers directly to your home. Their dream is to change the food chain by reconnecting consumers to local producers. In that renewed relationship, the stories and beliefs of the farmers and their products are just as important as the products themselves. Therefore we created a grocery shopping site that’s all about experience.
ILUMY innovation: Focusing on the customer journey
When you buy your food at Willem&Drees, every step in the customer journey has to be right, aligned with the values. We worked with Willem and Drees to develop the experience of online local grocery shopping, from the story of the farmer and the appearance of the deliveryman to payment mechanisms and recipe booklets.
Shared insight: There is no substitute for a great meal together
Early on in the project we shared a meal with all team members from Willem&Drees, ILUMY and partners. We shared goals and beliefs, visited the nursery garden and were in for a real feast! It proved invaluable for building a team with a shared purpose.


10: The Book That Grew by Rothco
Dublin-based studio Rothco created this fantastic concept for a “book that grows”, showing how to create a sustainable future.
Agriculture is an important pillar of Ireland’s economy and there’s a need for farming to become more sustainable. The project was conceptualized around this idea.
“This book contained 10 tangible lessons and 10 pieces of practical advice designed to help maximise sustainability and increase profitability. These 10 steps enable farmers to achieve a ‘perfect’ 10 rotations of grass grazing per year, and produce 10 tonnes of grass per hectare – a truly powerful number that will massively improve the sustainability of even the most efficient farm.
In this instance, the medium truly was the message: our book was grown from the very grass that Irish farmers nurture, with each page, each word, and each diagram shaped by real grass roots as they grew.
This is a world’s first, completely rewriting the rules for how books are produced. Not only does this book lay out a practical plan of action, it symbolises in an attention-grabbing way the power of our natural resources. When grass is managed correctly, it can work wonders.”Graphic Design Print Design Video & Motion Posted on June 27, 2019


Animal feed mill machinefeed production lineLoChamp ,LoChamp’s SZLH42A feed pellet mill has a great increase in its output The normal output of this machine is around 10 12T this time according to this customer’s measurement it rose to 145T H... As a leading global manufacturer of crushing equipment, milling equipment,dressing equipment,drying equipment and briquette equipment etc. we offer advanced, rational solutions for any size-reduction requirements, including quarry, aggregate, grinding production and complete plant plan.Get Price
Feeding Size: 200-350mm
Discharging Size: 25-35mm
Production Capacity: 5-150TPH
Applied Materials: Feldspar, calcite, talc, barite, fluorite, rare earth, marble, ceramics, bauxite, manganese, phosphate rock, etc.
Application Area: Building materials, chemicals, fertilizer, metallurgy, mining, refractory, ceramic, steel, thermal power, coal, etc.
Production Capacity: 25-30TPH
Diameter of Outer Cylinder: 2.5-3.6m
Applied Material: Mineral ores, sand, ore powder, metal powder, gypsum powder, clay, coal slime, coal powder, sawdust, wood, fertilizer, coconut shell, palm shell, etc.
Feeding Size: ≤25mm
Production Capacity: 200t/d-8,000t/d
Technological Features: Crushing raw materials, pre-homogenizing materials, arranging ingredients, efficient grinding, homogenizing materials, suspending pre-heater and decomposing furnace, new type cooler, cement dosing and grinding.
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PALM OIL - MUMBAI. India's palm oil imports in February dropped 30% from January to their lowest in 8 months on weak demand amid build-up in stocks because of excessive imports during November-January, a leading trade body said on Wednesday.
The reduction in palm oil imports by India, the world's biggest importer of vegetable oils, could weigh on Malaysian palm oil prices.
India's palm oil imports fell to 586,007 tonnes last month, the lowest since June 2022, Mumbai-based Solvent Extractors' Association of India (SEA) said in a statement.
The country's palm oil imports during November to January jumped 86% from a year ago because of lower prices even as demand was subdued due to winter months, said a Mumbai-based dealer with a global trade house.
"Refiners are now giving preference to bringing down stocks. They have ample stocks to cover short-term demand," he said.
Soyoil imports in February eased nearly 3% from January to 355,840 tonnes, while those of sunflower oil dropped 66% to 156,628 tonnes from record high imports in January, the SEA said.
India buys palm oil mainly from Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand. It imports soybean and sunflower oil from Argentina, Brazil, Russia and Ukraine.
Palm oil imports would improve in March but are unlikely to cross 800,000 tonnes as its discount to soyoil and sunflower oil shrank to around $130 per tonne from as high as $500 in the December quarter, another Mumbai-based dealer with a global trade house said.
Vegetable oil stocks in the country nearly doubled from a year ago to a record 3.4 million tonnes despite a 33% drop in the total vegetable oil imports in February, the statement added.
India earlier this month decided to scrap a duty-free import quota of 2 million tonnes of crude sunflower oil for the next fiscal year, starting April 1.
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According to the Economic Survey of 2015-16, India produces 146 million tonnes of milk every year, or 18.5 percent of the total worldwide output, pushing the country to the top of the global chart. Now, almost 68 percent of this 146 million tonnes was found to have adulterants – ranging from detergent, starch, urea to white paint – whereby water dilution is the least of your worries.
But the huge dairy industry is highly unorganised, as deduced by Dhananjay Singh, 37-year-old co-founder of a company called Nutoras which was launched in 2012. “I was an investment banker with Merrill Lynch when I started delving into the farming industry, tracking various economies and found consumption exploding across countries. Consumer burst happens mostly in the animal-based protein space which can be achieved by sustainable farming. In India, I felt it’s an unorganised sector. Statistics and demographics seemed conducive to start a venture,” he says.
Ranging between Rs 60 and Rs 90 per litre, the brands are milking the organic label. This begs the question – what is organic milk? Dairy products differ as per vegetables and food grains in this sphere. A vegetable, grown from organic seeds – not genetically modified and without the use of chemicals (fertilisers or insecticides) – is labelled as organic produce. However, with milk, the quality of the product can be affected by various external factors beyond the farmer’s control. Hence, even if the cows are not treated with hormones or antibiotics, and fed wholesome feed, the milk may not be up to WHO standards – bacteria levels, aflatoxins, increased somatic cell counts etc. For example, the most common disease is Mastitis with huge costs to the dairy industry. It is a mammary gland infection incurred when immediately after milking, the cow has been allowed to sit or its udders have come in contact with unhygienic areas.
Different countries have varying criteria for declaring milk as organic.
Whereas the USFDA mandates that apart from no chemical treatment, cows must also be fed organic fodder, India is silent on this point.
A leading factor is that genetically modified hybrid seeds have flooded the market, capturing the farming scene. A farm producing organic cow feed is a rarity. Hence, the appropriate tag for Indian dairy would be organically-produced milk.
Mangal Gupta of Lalgoon farms in Maharashtra disagrees completely. “If there is no organic fodder for the cows, one cannot call it organic milk. At the most, it can be called not-tampered milk since no oxytocin is administered,” says this 49-year-old dairy farmer. His cows produce chemical-free, natural milk which he delivers to clients in Mumbai. Having started as an organic farmer of exotic vegetables, Mangal realised that he required cows for its dung as manure. When his infant child did not get sufficient breast milk, the doctor advised pure cows’ milk. It was then that Gupta realised the severe lack of pure milk availability in Mumbai. This was the turning point and he started his current venture.
He goes on to add that 90 percent of his city clientele are those suffering from health disorders. Consumer base has increased from close relatives of the dairy farmer to health-conscious urbanites. As more fall victim to lifestyle diseases, most are switching to organic, especially the large vegetarian section of society whose main food items are dairy products – like ghee, butter, cottage-cheese (paneer) other than milk.
With such enterprises, one comes to realise that often the entire community benefits. Dhananjay works with almost 11,000 farmers across Maharashtra to develop a sustainable ecosystem which benefits the consumers by providing healthy milk, and also improves animal welfare.
“I have worked out a barter system with the farmers who provide cow feed to the farm in Satara. Part of the payment is in cow dung for their agricultural farming, which has almost doubled their yield per acre, thereby boosting sustainable practices,” says Dhananjay. “Cow dung is a highly beneficial natural fertiliser which also brings back to life essential microbes and worms, killed by overuse of chemicals, which aerate the soil and add nutrients to it,” says 31-year-old Mithran Jayan, co-owner of The Farmer’s Store in Bandra, Mumbai which sells only organic produce.
When it comes to cow feed, there are those farms where the cows are tied or caged, and those with larger acreage which let their cows roam free. This ensures that the animal grazes on pasture with a variety of feed, rather than being on a restricted diet, thereby ensuring the best quality of milk. This is called loose housing or free range.
When it comes to storage, most packaged milk has hydrogen peroxide added to it as a preservative. In summers, the common phenomenon is reconstituted milk from milk powder. Lacking these, organically-produced milk must be chilled to 4 degree Celsius with a shelf life of 72 hours. Hence, long-distance delivery is not possible with regards to organically produced milk. But it is now being produced all over the country, across Chennai, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and other states, which in turn supply to the major metropolitan cities of India. These are all individual efforts and supplies although bigger brands like Amul have also entered the organic milk market. However, any genuine farmer worth his milk will tell you that there are no regular checks or quality control in the market for milk.
This article was first published here by Firstpost on Aug 16, 2017


History of the Sweet Potato
What a Hot Potato!
· The sweet potato dates back to 750 B.C. in Peruvian records. Columbus brought it back to Spain.It was a huge hit as the Spanish loved the sweet potato—preferred it, in fact, to the white potato, which later arrived.
· Reportedly, Henry VIII is said to have enjoyed sweet potatoes. As the English, initially imported their sweet potatoes from Spain, and the British called them Spanish potatoes.
· France took notice of the new delicacy and Louis XV and, later, Napoleon’s Josephine, created brief interest in the sweet potato in France. Yet, it was not a long term attraction and when it was no longer fashionable among the royals, it was dropped.
· The sweet potato went traveling with the Spaniards, and when they arrived in the Philippines in 1521 they became a hit, quickly spreading to other islands. It soon became a staple throughout the Pacific, including China.
· From China, the sweet potato moved to Japan, where it became not only a food source, but also a source of starch and alcohol. It is now the third most important food crop in Japan.
· Portuguese traders also carried the sweet potato to India, by around 1616. Africa, too, likely got sweet potatoes from the Portuguese. They then moved to the new world.
· George Washington Carver was the highly esteemed agricultural scientist who joined Booker T. Washington at the Tuskegee Institute researching crops that could reduce malnutrition and increase income in the South. He wrote articles about sweet potatoes, and created over a hundred different uses for the sweet potato including dyes.
· Today, in the U.S. especially at Thanksgiving, we all enjoy the sweet potatoes in many different formats. YUM!
Try this easy Sweet Potato Fry recipe!


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Calcium Nitrate may be used as a foliar spray as an aid in the reduction of "bitter pit" and "cork spot". Apply with cover sprays every other week until 2 or 3 weeks before harvest using 3 pounds per hundred gallons of spray. Calcium Nitrate is compatible with most insecticides and fungicides used on vegetables, floral crops and fruit crops.
Calcium Nitrate, 4 lbs. | Rail City Garden
Hi-Yield Calcium Nitrate is used primarily in vegetable gardens, particularly for Tomatoes and Peppers, in the prevention of Blossom End Rot. Blossom End Rot is a common problem with tomatoes. It is a physiological disorder (not a disease) caused by a lack of calcium. When fruits are enlarging rapidly, sufficient amounts of calcium fail to


I will begin with the easy, hardy ones, and move to the relatively tougher ones.
General guidelines to grow herbs
- Seeds or sapling? Most of these herbs are best grown from a sapling. Some are easy to grow from seeds such as the basil varieties.
- Sunlight or shade? Most herbs require full sunlight, however, in summer I find the leaves getting burnt when the temperatures soar. so, if you can’t move them to partial shade or have a green net, then ensure the plants are watered twice a day.
- Watering: deep watering after the soil is completely dry. Increase the frequency of watering in the summer months. But do not over water.
- Soil: the plants face stunted growth if the soil is hard and lumpy. A well drained soil, mixture of red soil + cocopeat +manure suits them best.
1. Curry leaf
5. Lemon mint
6. Clove basil
7. Camphor basil
10. Italian basil
12. Betel leaves
15. Holy Basil
As the name indicates, it has a religious significance. There is a belief that a few leaves a day had every morning helps keep cold at bay. It is often used to make kashayam – a concoction of herbs when is down with the flu.
Here is one recipe that uses some of these herbs: I brew a strong concoction made of garlic bulbs (grows along the edges of all pots as it helps in containing pests), basil leaves, tulsi, betel leaves, ajwain, ginger and lemon grass. Add a dash of honey to the concoction and have to two times a day to keep cold at bay.
Even if you don’t have dedicated containers, you can tuck the herbs along the edges of pots or in between plants. All of these herbs can be grown in containers in a balcony or on your windowsill if it receives adequate sunlight. I have a few more growing in the garden (now shown here) such as garlic and green pepper.
Blessed is the person whose body is fit and mind healthy.


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 Seo P J, Lee S B, Suh M C, et al. The MYB96 transcription factor regulates cuticular wax biosynthesis under drought conditions in Arabidopsis. Plant Cell, 2011, 23(3):1138-1152.
 Liu W, Zhou X, Li G, et al. Multiple plant surface signals are sensed by different mechanisms in the rice blast fungus for appressorium formation. PLoS Pathogens, 2011, 7(1):e1001261.
 Uppalapati S R, Ishiga Y, Doraiswamy V, et al. Loss of abaxial leaf epicuticular wax in Medicago truncatula irg1/palm1 mutants results in reduced spore differentiation of anthracnose and nonhost rust pathogens. Plant Cell, 2012, 24(1):353-370.
 Kunst L, Samuels A L. Biosynthesis and secretion of plant cuticular wax. Progress in Lipid Research, 2003, 42(1):51-80.
 Li N, Gügel I L, Giavalisco P, et al. FAX1, A novel membrane protein mediating plastid fatty acid export. PLoS Biology, 2015, 13(2):e1002053-e1002053.
 Kunst L, Samuels L. Plant cuticles shine:advances in wax biosynthesis and export. Current Opinion in Plant Biology, 2009, 12(6):721-727.
 Li-Beisson Y, Shorrosh B, Beisson F, et al. Acyl-lipid metabolism. The Arabidopsis book/American Society of Plant Biologists, 2013, 11(8):e0133.
 Millar A A, Kunst L. Very-long-chain fatty acid biosynthesis is controlled through the expression and specificity of the condensing enzyme. The Plant Journal, 1997, 12(1):121-131.
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 Pruitt R E, Vielle-Calzada J P, Ploense S E, et al. FIDDLEHEAD, a gene required to suppress epidermal cell interactions in Arabidopsis, encodes a putative lipid biosynthetic enzyme. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 2000, 97(3):1311-1316.
 Franke R, Hofer R, Briesen I, et al. The DAISY gene from Arabidopsis encodes a fatty acid elongase condensing enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of aliphatic suberin in roots and the chalaza-micropyle region of seeds. Plant Journal, 2009, 57(1):80-95.
 Kim J, Jung J H, Lee S B, et al. Arabidopsis 3-ketoacyl-coenzyme a synthase9 is involved in the synthesis of tetracosanoic acids as precursors of cuticular waxes, suberins, sphingolipids, and phospholipids. Plant Physiology, 2013, 162(2):567-580.
 Quist T M, Sokolchik I, Shi H, et al. HOS3, an ELO-like gene, inhibits effects of ABA and implicates a S-1-P/ceramide control system for abiotic stress responses in Arabidopsis thaliana. Molecular Plant, 2009, 2(1):138-151.
 Bach L, Faure J D. Role of very-long-chain fatty acids in plant development, when chain length does matter. Comptes Rendus Biologies, 2010, 333(4):361-370.
 Haslam T M, Kunst L. Extending the story of very-long-chain fatty acid elongation. Plant Science, 2013, 210C(9):93-107.
 Beaudoin F, Wu X, Li F, et al. Functional characterization of the Arabidopsis beta-ketoacyl-coenzyme A reductase candidates of the fatty acid elongase. Plant Physiol, 2009, 150(3):1174-1191.
 Bach L, Michaelson L V, Haslam R, et al. The very-long-chain hydroxy fatty acyl-CoA dehydratase PASTICCINO2 is essential and limiting for plant development. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA, 2008, 105(38):14727-14731.
 Zheng H, Rowland O, Kunst L. Disruptions of the Arabidopsis enoyl-CoA reductase gene reveal an essential role for very-long-chain fatty acid synthesis in cell expansion during plant morphogenesis. Plant Cell, 2005, 17(5):1467-1481.
 Haslam T M, Mañas-Fernández A, Zhao L, et al. Arabidopsis ECERIFERUM2 is a component of the fatty acid elongation machinery required for fatty acid extension to exceptional lengths. Plant Physiology, 2012, 160(3):1164-1174.
 Pascal S, Bernard A, Sorel M, et al. The Arabidopsis cer26 mutant, like the cer2 mutant, is specifically affected in the very long chain fatty acid elongation process. The Plant Journal, 2013, 73(5):733-746.
 Rowland O, Zheng H, Hepworth S R, et al. CER4 encodes an alcohol-forming fatty acyl-coenzyme a reductase involved in cuticular wax production in Arabidopsis. Plant Physiology, 2006, 142(3):866-877.
 Li F, Wu X, Lam P, et al. Identification of the wax ester synthase/acyl-coenzyme a:diacylglycerol acyltransferase WSD1 required for stem wax ester biosynthesis in Arabidopsis. Plant Physiology, 2008, 148(1):97-107.
 Bourdenx B, Bernard A, Domergue F, et al. Overexpression of Arabidopsis ECERIFERUM1 promotes wax very-long-chain alkane biosynthesis and influences plant response to biotic and abiotic stresses. Plant Physiology, 2011, 156(1):29-45.
 Bernard A, Domergue F, Pascal S, et al. Reconstitution of plant alkane biosynthesis in yeast demonstrates that arabidopsis ECERIFERUM1 and ECERIFERUM3 are core components of a very-long-chain alkane synthesis complex. Plant Cell, 2012, 24(7):3106-3118.
 Greer S, Wen M, Bird D, et al. The cytochrome P450 enzyme CYP96A15 is the midchain alkane hydroxylase responsible for formation of secondary alcohols and ketones in stem cuticular wax of Arabidopsis. Plant Physiology, 2007, 145(3):653-667.
 Wang J Q, Sun L, Xie L, et al. Regulation of cuticle formation during fruit development and ripening in "Newhall" navel orange (Citrus sinensis Osbeck) revealed by transcriptomic and metabolomic profiling. Plant Science, 2016, 243:131-144.
 Broun P, Poindexter P, Osborne E, et al. WIN1, a transcriptional activator of epidermal wax accumulation in Arabidopsis. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 2004, 101(13):4706-4711.
 Kannangara R, Branigan C, Liu Y, et al. The transcription factor WIN1/SHN1 regulates cutin biosynthesis in Arabidopsis thaliana. Plant Cell, 2007, 19(4):1278-1294.
 Lee S B, Suh M C. Cuticular wax biosynthesis is up-regulated by the MYB94 transcription factor in Arabidopsis. Plant and Cell Physiology, 2014:pcu142.
 Oshima Y, Shikata M, Koyama T, et al. MIXTA-like transcription factors and WAX INDUCER1/SHINE1 coordinately regulate cuticle development in Arabidopsis and Torenia fournieri. Plant Cell, 2013, 25(5):1609-1624.
 Go Y S, Kim H, Kim H J, et al. Arabidopsis cuticular Wax biosynthesis is negatively regulated by the DEWAX gene encoding an AP2/ERF-type transcription factor. Plant Cell, 2014, 26(4):1666-1680.
 Wu R, Li S, He S, et al. CFL1, a WW domain protein, regulates cuticle development by modulating the function of HDG1, a class IV homeodomain transcription factor, in rice and Arabidopsis. Plant Cell, 2011, 23(9):3392-3411.
 Li S, Wang X, He S, et al. CFLAP1 and CFLAP2 Are Two bHLH transcription factors participating in synergistic regulation of AtCFL1-mediated cuticle development in Arabidopsis. PLoS Genet, 2016, 12(1):e1005744.
 Hooker T S, Lam P, Zheng H, et al. A core subunit of the RNA-processing/degrading exosome specifically influences cuticular wax biosynthesis in Arabidopsis. Plant Cell, 2007, 19(3):904-913.
 Lam P, Zhao L, McFarlane H E, et al. RDR1 and SGS3, components of RNA-mediated gene silencing, are required for the regulation of cuticular wax biosynthesis in developing inflorescence stems of Arabidopsis. Plant Physiology, 2012, 159(4):1385-1395.
 Lam P, Zhao L, Eveleigh N, et al. The exosome and trans-acting siRNAs regulate cuticular wax biosynthesis during Arabidopsis inflorescence stem development. Plant Physiology, 2015,167(2):323-336.
 Lü S, Zhao H, Des Marais D L, et al. Arabidopsis ECERIFERUM9 involvement in cuticle formation and maintenance of plant water status. Plant Physiology, 2012, 159(3):930-944.
 Ménard R, Verdier G, Ors M, et al. Histone H2B monoubiquitination is involved in the regulation of cutin and wax composition in Arabidopsis thaliana. Plant and Cell Physiology, 2014, 55(2):455-466.
 Jetter R, Kunst L. Plant surface lipid biosynthetic pathways and their utility for metabolic engineering of waxes and hydrocarbon biofuels. Plant J, 2008, 54(4):670-683.


As many of you know, the farm was born as a form of tourism in which the guest is being hosted at the Farm. That meaning is captured in full at our facility; In fact, the apartment is located close to our Company and the roof terrace is situated just above our wine cellar where we produce wine and olive oil.
It will therefore be our pleasure to have you visit the winery and the rest of the company, making our guests know what is really behind a bottle of wine and olive oil, with a passion and respect that only small farmers still know how to keep their jobs . Of course you're free to access the vineyards and olive groves of our company to see with your own eyes the plants and the work being done on the ground.
Possibility of tasting and direct sale of wine and extra virgin olive oil.


Today´s press conference in support of Palestinian farmers and fishermen held in the port of Gaza City launched several days of activities leading up to the International Day of Action for the Boycott of Israeli Agricultural Products on Saturday 9th February. Speakers were from the Boycott National Committee, the student boycott movement in Gaza, the Union of Agricultural Work Committees, PNGO and International Action for Palestine.
"The boycott of Israeli agricultural exports will remain an essential strategy as long as Palestinian farmers cannot export their produce due to closure and blockade. It must continue as long as Palestinian farmers cannot access their own land and work on it in safety, whilst Israeli corporations profit from stolen Palestinian land." - International Action for Palestine
Photos courtesy of Desde Palestina