Community Supported Agriculture in a City Kitchen
Adopt a Local Farm and Eat Well
CSA, which stands for Community Supported Agriculture, makes it possible for us to have a direct relationship with a local farmer. We want locally grown, safe food. Farmers who grow edible food -- not thousands of acres of Fritos-bound wheat fields -- want and need stable markets for their crops.
CSA matches us up.
If CSA sounds bureaucratic and jargon-y, instead think of it as having your own personal organic produce coop in your neighborhood. For about $15 to $20 a week, you can buy fresh from the farm vegetables (no cliché -- for once this is true), enough for a small family. If you have a larger family, you can sign up for more. Smaller? Some CSAs let you buy less. The model is simple, brilliant and authentic.
How CSA Works
A CSA is a not-for-profit organization that serves as a matchmaker or broker to make it possible for individual consumers to order and pay for -- in advance -- a season's worth of produce. In exchange, a small, family farm knows it has a reliable market and it gets some income ahead of the harvest, helping the farmers plant crops for the year. You, the consumer, buy a share in the coming season, which usually results in enough produce for two persons for one week. You know the farm in which you're investing and where your food will come from and you receive the produce -- almost always organic -- right after it's been harvested.
The concept of CSA began in Switzerland and Japan in the 1960's and the idea gradually took hold throughout Europe, coming to the U.S. in the 1980's. There are now more than 400 CSA farms located across the U.S. where you'd expect them to be: near clusters of small and family-owned farms and communities that have the education, awareness and financial resources to purchase CSA shares. That means most of them are in the Northeast, California and the upper Midwest.
But this is no urban luxury item. In New York, many of the CSAs work with local community groups to bring this wonderful locally grown food to those with lower incomes, making good food truly affordable. Its two-part goal is simple: keep farming viable and help people eat better.
Each CSA is different in its terms and arrangements. Some offer what are called "family shares," "half shares," and "individual shares." Others have simpler options. Some let you pay by credit card. A few have fancy web sites. All require some of your time volunteered to help run the distribution.
Once a week your farm delivers produce, and sometimes also eggs, poultry, meat, dairy products, honey and other organic items, to a depot-like location where member volunteers distribute the food and the CSA members pick up that week's supply. What you receive will depend upon what's in season, the weather, and the type of share you've purchased at the start of the season. For example, you may have only signed up for vegetables or maybe also fruit, eggs, or dairy products.
Each CSA operates as a coop and that means that every member volunteers for some period of time to work at the delivery location, helping to pack and distribute that week's produce. Your volunteer work commitment can be as little as 4 hours in a 20-week farm season.
In New York City, JustFood.org serves as a clearinghouse, coordinator and leader in efforts to match New Yorkers with local farms. In the five NYC boroughs, there are 50 "delivery neighborhoods" which are the specific locations supplied by specific farms. Many of the farms also sell their produce, eggs and dairy products at various New York City Greenmarket locations.
Visit JustFood's web site (see below) to find a listing of individual delivery neighborhoods and contact information for the organization that runs each site. Some have their own web sites. Others must be contacted by telephone. Be patient and understanding with the communication support for these programs: remember that these people are farmers and have a mission of distributing food and may not always have the resources to launch and run multi-function web sites. Web sites are useful but we can't eat them and it's a relief to know that these people have their focus on the right things.
The City Cook's CSA Adventure
Here's what I'm doing this summer: I've become a member in Manhattan's Columbus Circle CSA. This CSA is affiliated with Norwich Meadow Farm, a NOFA-NY (Northeast Organic Farming Association) certified organic 35-acre farm located in Norwich, New York, about 200 miles northwest of New York City. It also supplies produce to several other CSAs in New York City and also sells its produce at the Union Square and East Village Greenmarkets. Because Norwich Farm is so far north, they begin to deliver their produce in late June but their 20+ week season is likely to continue into mid-fall, close to Thanksgiving.
I've paid $290 for 20 weeks' worth of vegetables. Enough for two persons for a week (that's $7 a person). What I receive will depend upon the time of year, the weather, and the farm gods that influence what comes out of the ground. But it's likely that in early summer I will get lettuce, radishes, cucumbers, zucchini and beets; in mid-summer lettuce, salad greens, potatoes, chard, cabbage and greens; and in late-summer, more salad greens, tomatoes, carrots, green beans, celery root and arugula.
I've also paid $110 for 20 weeks' worth of fruit -- I've been told to expect tree fruit, berries, and juice. All organic. I've also paid $42 for a dozen eggs, every other week, from chickens on the Norwich Meadow Farm (about $3.80/dozen). I also had the option to buy yogurt, butter and milk from Evans Dairy Farm, honey from Kutiks Honey Farm, cheese from Butternut Coop, organic ground beef from local farms and organic chickens from Norwich Meadow Farm.
To register I had to send a $100 deposit with my full payment due by May 15.
I've promised to volunteer at least 4 hours during the 20+ week season, helping at my neighborhood distribution spot, and each week I get to pick up my food on Thursday afternoons, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Any food I do not pick up (as in the weeks I may be on vacation) will be given to one of the city's food charities that helps feed New York's hungry.
I love the politics of what I'm doing. But from a cook's perspective, I'm equally excited about the adventure of being handed a box of ingredients once a week and being left to figure out what to do with them. It's the best example of cooking without a net -- fresh, locally grown, in season ingredients.
Isn't what we all really want?
As the summer goes on, I'll keep you posted on how my CSA adventure goes, what I get, what it looks like and the experience of volunteering with other New York City home cooks as we bring our local farms to our dinner tables.


Maintaining a garden can be quite challenging for many. You need to do various things, such as using a healthy soil, controlling weeds, disinfesting your gardentools, and ensuring termite control to keep your garden healthy. Fortunately, there is afun side in gardening, too. There are many amusing garden activities that you can do with your kids. Read on and let your kids get crafty by doing the following gardening activities and projects.
Egg Carton Greenhouse
Who would have thought that egg carton has other function apart from holding eggs? Egg carton can be turn into a planter! Here’s how:
- What You’ll Need:
- old egg carton
- seeds of your preference
- seed starting soil
- small waterproof tray
- clothes pin
- In a bowl, put the seed starting soil and spray some water on it. Make sure to achieve a damp texture, not a dripping one. Doing this means that you do not need to water the seed once you already place it on the egg carton.
- Then, keep mixing the soil until it hardens and sticks with your hand.
- Fill your egg carton with the seed starting soil. Make sure to leave at least a centimeter between the top of the soil and the rim of the carton. There should be enough space since the seed needs a room to grow.
- Then, plant your desired seeds. Remember that the seeds need a securecontact with the soil.
- To set up the greenhouse, place the egg carton on your small waterproof tray. Make sure that your chosen tray will fit inside a plastic bag since you will be placing the tray inside the plastic bag.
- Then, pull up the two side of the plastic bag and close it.
- Using the clothes pin, lift the two sides of the plastic bag. This trick will help the interior’s temperature to rise, which encourages the growth of your seedlings.
- Lastly, make sure to place your egg carton greenhouse in sunny position.
Painted Garden Markers
- What You’ll Need:
- medium-sized and big rocks (smooth)
- acrylic, gouache, or tempera paints (color of your preference)
- outdoor vanish
- paint brush
- When choosing paint, pick color that will suit on the fruit or vegetable that you want to do in your rocks. Orange for pumpkins, green for cucumbers, red for tomatoes, and pink for strawberries.
- Paint the rocks with your desired color.
- Wait the rocks to dry before applying details, such eyes and mouth.
- When the rocks dried, you can now add the details that you want: an eye, nose, or leaves. Be creative as you can be.
- Voila! You now have garden markers made from rocks!
Gardening is one of the household chores that have both physical and mental health benefits. Keeping your garden healthy does not need to be boring and tiring. With few garden activities mentioned above, your gardening routine will be exciting and enjoyable.
About the author:
Jeric is a freelance writer that features food, lifestyle, travel, DIY subjects, and nature. He is an adventurer, taking on the world and everything it has to offer, may it be the good and the bad. He also has a weird love for reggae and sharks. See: Reggae Shark
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As a bamboo lover myself, I must admit that this article is written based on how much I love this wonderful natural material that can do wonders. So here we go! Here are 5 things you MUST know about bamboo.
1) Bamboo is grass.
Bambusoideae, the scientific name for Bamboo, is a type of grass. Don’t feel bad if you ever refer to bamboo as a type of tree. It is widely available not just in China, India, and across almost all continents except for Europe and Antarctica.
2) Bamboo grows super fast.
Be amazed! A new shoot of some species can grow almost more than 1metre a day! The technique used to grow bamboo is simply by filling up with water at their soil base. Bamboo shoots are really strong. They can grow and come up through concrete sidewalks and metal slabs. They grow so rapidly and often outgrow the area in which they were planted!
3) One of the World’s most sustainable source of wood.
Bamboo claimed to hold the title of being the most sustainable building material on earth. Its ability to grow more than a metre a day is undeniable the fastest growing plant on earth!
Compared to other commonly used hardwood that can take 25 to 40 years to reach a stage where they can be used, bamboo takes as short as 1 to 5 years to grow before it is ready to be harvested. Do you know that Bamboo regrows without even replanting? Now you know!
4) Chemical-Free Planting
Bamboo requires zero pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers to grow. Many plants require tonnes of chemicals to grow on a commercial scale, and lucky for bamboo, they require none. Bamboo is naturally resistant to pests and has natural antibacterial and antifungal properties. They simply need just water and sunshine!
5) Bamboo Scent
Bamboo, besides being used as a building material and even food for pandas, another unique use is bamboo oil. Bamboo oil can be extracted from the bamboo plant. It is a lightweight and non-greasy substance that carries a fresh and lightweight scent. Some of the amazing benefits of bamboo essential oil are nourishing the skin and hair, deodorizing the surroundings, and even fights aging!
One more amazing fact is that Bamboo produces 35% more oxygen and stores 4 times more carbon than trees!


With a few more weeks to go in the CSA season, our baskets start resembling more of a late season harvest, with the addition of eggplant, edamame, raab, winter squash, and watermelon. The summer has quickly outstripped my own personal sense of time, and I find myself incredulous that it’s time for the kids to go back to school and to start picking winter squash and to tuck in the garden beds for the season.
This week I might be jumping the gun, but I’m going to, oh so tentatively and apprehensively, put personal-sized Sugar Baby watermelons in your baskets this week. I find it truly impossible to know for sure if they are ripe until cutting them open. Consider this to be a bit of a “surprise” for the week. If your melon ain’t ripe, let me know, ‘k?!? 🙂 Same deal on the winter squash!
Some of you will also receive eggplants this week — the rest of you will have one in a future basket. Those of you who don’t get an eggplant will either receive some late-season planted broccoli raab or a cabbage.
- basil, Genovese
- green beans, Blue Lake
- broccoli raab
- carrots, Sugar Snaxx
- chard, Rainbow lights
- cucumbers, American Slicing and Asian Long
- edamame, Envy
- eggplant, Nadia & Beatrice
- onions, Red Cabernet
- peppers, hot — anaheim, Numex
- peppers, sweet green & red California Wonder & Ace
- tomatoes — a mix of Sungold and Sweet 100 grape; Cherokeee Purple; Stupice; Silvery Fir Tree; Opalka (heart shape); Pruden’s Purple; Rose (brandywine); Better Boy; Green Zebra
- watermelon, Sugar Baby
- winter squash, Kabocha – “Scarlet Sunshine”
Indulge in the following savory treats on the next cool September evening:
Edamame – “Beer Snack” style:
Bring pot of salted water to a boil. Add edamame pods and boil until tender, approx. 8-10 minutes. Drain, sprinkle with sea salt, and strip out of pods with teeth. Grown ups may choose to follow with a swig of ale.
Tomato Blue Cheese Tart
- One 9-inch Pillsbury Just Unroll Refrigerated Pie Crust
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for the salad dressing
- Salt and freshly ground pepper
- 8 ounces whole-milk ricotta cheese (about 1 cup)
- 4 ounces blue cheese, crumbled (about 1 cup)
- 1 large egg
- 3 medium vine-ripened tomatoes, thinly sliced
- Preheat the oven to 400°. Unroll the piecrust and press it into a 9-inch tart pan. Prick the bottom of the dough all over with a fork, brush with the 1 tablespoon of olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper and bake for 10 minutes.
- In a medium bowl, stir together the ricotta, blue cheese and egg until combined. Remove the tart shell from the oven and immediately prick with a fork in a few places. Spoon the cheese mixture into the tart shell and top with the tomato slices; season with pepper and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the tart from the oven and let cool slightly.


When the seasons start to change and winter turns to spring, we always start by spring cleaning inside our houses. But it’s also important to make sure your lawn and yard are well taken care of, too, which is why we offer spring cleanup services.
Spring is truly the best time of year to schedule a cleanup with Landscape 360. We specialize in lawn care, landscaping, and hardscaping, so your yard looks its best after the snow melts.
We can start you off right with a thorough spring cleanup to ready your yard for summertime. Not only will your yard be cleaner, but it will save you from future hassles that occur when your yard isn’t up to par. We can help aerate and elevate the dead grass to help with new growth below.
We start with the removal of any trash or debris leftover on your lawn.
- Dog Feces
- Bigger Twigs
Next, we will begin to rake up your lawn, gathering the smaller fragments from your yard. This will ensure that you avoid snow mould, a fungal disease that occurs when dead plant life gets wet and begins to decay.
Afterwards, we will unearth old perennial stalks and prepare flower beds for planting and fertilizing them.
- Work In Compost
- Weed Removal & Dead Growth
- Prune Shrubs


Autumn Has Arrived!
If you've been around this blog for any length of time or read any of the interviews I did around the release time of FATAL FREEZE, you're no stranger to this Fun Fact: I don't like cold weather! But what I do like is cool weather, specifically the kind that comes at the beginning of Fall.
Cooler weather means long-sleeved shirts, pumpkin everything, and... apples! Late summer / early Fall means our apple tree is ready for harvest. I'm still getting used to having an apple tree in our front yard -- in fact, we didn't even know it was an apple tree until two years ago, when we thought the little green apples that started appearing were crab apples.
Turns out they're not -- they're Macs! Last year I trimmed the tree and we had a small yield, and this year the summer was very dry, so I didn't think we'd get a whole lot. The fruit looked quite small until only a few weeks before summer ended... but then we got some heavy rainfall, a few warm days, and voila! The apples matured and we had a decent harvest after all!
I picked two baskets of apples, one is in the picture above. There's a second basket in the fridge right now, but the one above turned into slow cooker apple cider two nights ago. Delicious!
There were also a lot of dropped apples, which I assume happened because of the dry weather. But apparently that didn't matter to a neighbor, who knocked on our door yesterday and asked if she could take some of the dropped apples to make a pie. She took quite a few of them (I don't envy her work in cutting out the bugs & bruises!), so I suspect she'll have more than enough for a tasty pie. It makes me happy to know the dropped fruit didn't go to waste!
And I should also mention... the squirrels are enjoying the dropped apples too. They keep dragging apples onto our porch, having a nice snack, and then leaving the rest of the apple for the ants (or for another squirrel to eat later). Yay for multiple people & critters benefiting from our fruit tree!
What grew in your yard this year? Did you plant a garden or have you ever tried growing fruit?


Jennifer Glasgow | ROSETTA Top - Denim
Made in a sweet denim blend of organic cotton and hemp, the Rosetta can be worn as a top on its own or a little jacket. With the waist ties and buttons up the front, Rosetta is ready for everything. A very versatile item for fall and all the season.
- 55% Hemp / 45% Organic Cotton. OEKO-TEX 100.
- Available in Denim,
- Sizes XS – XXL.
- Harissa is 5’7” and wears size XL
- Shelby is 5’8” and wears size XS
- Made in Montreal
Key Measurements & Wash Instructions
Key Measurements based on XS.
- Shoulder to sleeve hem 21.5"
- Shoulder seam to hemline 16.5"
Wash instructions – machine wash in cold water with similar colours / hang to dry.
Eco Benefits of Hemp and Hemp Blends
Hemp is a wonderfully durable and long lasting textile that was first woven over 10,000 years ago. It is very breathable and has UV resistance and anti-microbial characteristics. It resembles linen and is usually mixed with other fibres to soften and give it draping characteristics. It is an excellent crop for farmers too! Needing far less water than cotton, almost no chemicals and much higher yields on less land, hemp has once again found its place in the textile landscape. In addition it blocks out weeds as it grows and can improve soil quality.
Eco Benefits of Organic Cotton
From the seed preparation which is natural and untreated with pesticides, to soil conservation and harvesting, the farming of organic cotton ensures the land and the people working it, are healthier and happier. Conventional cotton is one of the most chemically insensitive as classified by the Environmental Protection Agency.
Organic cotton is not exposed to the fibre weakening chemicals that conventional cotton endures therefore it should outlast a regular cotton item.


Published: 18 Apr 2016
Environs Kimberley in Broome and local Indigenous Rangers are in the early stages of developing a seed bank made up of bush tucker species and other culturally-significant plants.
DEMAND for WA’s native plant seeds is increasing for purposes ranging from revegetating former mine sites to high-end restaurants which use Aboriginal food plants in their cuisine.
Environs Kimberley in Broome and local Indigenous Rangers are in the early stages of developing a seed bank made up of bush tucker species and other culturally-significant plants to help serve this demand.
It is intended to become both a seed shop and a repository of ecologically-important plants, such as those that make up the threatened Kimberley vine thickets.
The project utilises the best of Western and traditional knowledge, ecologist and joint program manager Dr Malcolm Lindsay says.
“The rangers bring their traditional knowledge including the seasonal calendars of fruiting and flowering, knowledge of which plants occur where, which sites can be accessed and what conditions the plants like to grow in,” he says.
“Much of this knowledge is better nuanced than Western science in the region as it hasn’t been practised here for 40,000 years.”
He says the project will have conservation outcomes.
“The collection, storage and propagation of seed will help revegetation efforts in the endangered Monsoon Vine Thickets,” he says.
“The increased storage of threatened plant seed in regional and national conservation seedbanks will give insurance against loss of species.”
It is also important to build better links between the Indigenous Rangers, nursery professionals and seedbank scientists to allow better two-way knowledge sharing, he says.
Project officer Kylie Weatherall says they hope the project will help address a general lack of knowledge about Kimberley seed plants.
“There’s a lot of people working with plants up here who have a lot of knowledge about propagating and revegetating seeds and how to germinate them properly,” she says.
“The actual seed bank itself it will be more learning about the viability of some seed species and how to best store some seeds and how long they will be good in storage.
“We will do a lot of viability testing on the seed.”
Now in its initial phase the project involves traditional owner groups close to Broome including Karajarri, Nyul Nyul and Bardi-Jawi Oorany (women) rangers, Dr Lindsay says.
“However it was always planned as a regional seed bank, so future stages will extend the work to the other traditional owner groups of the Kimberley to help them with their conservation efforts,” he says.
Photo: Tamara Williams (Nyul Nyul Rangers), Cat Williams (Apace WA), Devena Cox (Nyul Nyul Rangers), Debbie Sibasado (Bardi Jawi Oorany Rangers), Kylie Weatherall (Environs Kimberley) and Cissy Tigan (Bardi Jawi Oorany Rangers). Credit DAFWA.


Research essay on genetically modified food
Or you’ll settle, at a significant financial lose” (Arkansas Times). Researchers found that glyphosate “caused malformations in frog and chicken embryos that were similar to human birth defects found in GM soy-producing areas. In an interview with Nancy Gammons, who works with Four Sisters Farm in Colorado says in response to why they grow their produce organically that, “First of all, it’s healthy! Now what should we do with all of this information? Living in the Bay Area we are extremely fortunate to have access to research essay on genetically modified food all sorts of organic fruits and vegetables that are grown right in our own backyard. If we want local farmers to continue growing their crops without genetic mutations, we need to support them by buying their produce rather than a brand name. While some may argue that only a small number of GMO crops are commercialized for human consumption, there are countless more on the list than one may think. As a farm we have chosen to do as little harm as possible” (Gammons). While these side effects of GMOs may seem minuscule in the grand scheme of things, the lasting writing review of related literature affects can be much more drastic. Despite how much healthier organically grown food is for our bodies, many farms are losing business to larger companies who support GM crops. Consuming these genetically altered and more processed foods can lead to increased risk of diseases and even cancer (Genetically Modified Food). Canola: About 90 percent of the U. We use canola oil in cooking research essay on genetically modified food and wear clothes daily, meaning even more contact with the unsafe toxins. Inspired by J. With prolonged exposure to GMOs the data concerning the side effects is only to increase as we continue to eat GMOs without considered the effects they can have on our bodies and procreation of future generations. S. Canola crop is genetically modified. By supporting these farms they do not have to fall victim to large corporations who “by their nature, are always trying to take more market share, therefore taking from smaller businesses” (Gammons). ” Foods that are grown organically have shown to be beneficial for our bodies because they contain vitamins and minerals that are not combined with chemicals which dilute their effectiveness (Hinduism Today). As a part of a solution to eliminate the intake of GMOs, I propose that GMOs be labeled along with the nutritional values. By knowing exactly what we are eating, we can make more informed choices about our food, which can only prolong our health. GMOs were not meant to be consumed and conflict with our body’s natural biochemical balance. This chemical alone can cause infertility, stillbirths, miscarriages and cancers (The Ecologist). Even some tobacco has been GM (Smith, “Genetic Roulette” 258). These numbers do not include the number of children that have been born with birth defects associated with the chemical, glyphosate. Another way we can take a stand against GMOs is by supporting farmers that continue to grow food organically. For those who are unable to download the app, there is a printable version available so that even those with less familiarity with technology can still be informed (The True Food Network). For example, genetically modified corn contain a pesticide that cannot be washed off. In North Dakota, genetically modified canola has been found growing far from any planted fields, raising questions about what will happen when " escaped" GE canola competes with wild plants. In order to look forward to a long and healthy future, we need to research essay on genetically modified food how to write a personal statement for college admission focus on local farmers who still choose to grow their crops the “natural research essay on genetically modified food way. Farmers that are sucked into corporations with the promise of making money struggle to escape the debt they accrue by the end of the next planting season. I. However, there's no way to be sure of the percentage because no labels are required to inform consumers about the presence of GMOs in food. If we were to label GMOs on the nutritional label found on all food products, we would be able to see what food we eat on a daily basis and decrease our intake of GMOs for the sake of our health. (Smith, “Genetic Roulette” 5) Looking at the results of GMOs on animals demonstrates how consuming these mutations can lead to serious health risks. However, in a 2007 poll, only 11 percent of participants said that they would knowingly eat GMOs while most of the others would try to avoid the mutations (Lapudus 31). Is "Roundup Ready," meaning it can withstand spraying of Monsanto's Roundup pesticide and live, while weeds around it die. Essentially, GMOs could cause babies to be born as the one-eyed monsters we read about in fairytales. This means even more money comes out of the farmers’ pockets. 7. ) Market watchers estimate that upwards of 70 percent of processed foods in your local supermarket contain genetically modified ingredients. Larger corporations, however, who choose to use genetically modified (GM) seeds, make larger profits with less time and effort involved. No matter which way farmers turn, they are faced with the troubles of GMOs whether they want to grow them, or not. This means that we are consuming even more GMOs than we realize. ) 6. Once a GM crop is planted on a farm, or even someplace nearby, there is always the constant threat of cross pollination resulting in unwanted and unnecessary trouble with large corporations who own the patent: “You will be sued. With their long list of side effects that are present in animals, soon enough humans will be affected as well. In his article “The land ethic,” Aldo Leopold writes, “the conquering role is eventually self-defeating” (23). By not being able to save the seeds from the previous year, farmers struggle to keep their farms alive and have no way of returning to the organic farming they had done previously. Nature is a way of life, something that is not to be manipulated or changed. Even though you did nothing intentionally wrong, the courts (based on rulings so far) will side with the big business. Presently, the United States is one of the few countries left that does not require GMOs to be labeled (Label GMOs). So not only are most body parts affected, the animal’s lifespans are shortened and their offspring have a lower chance of survival. Developed a gene cleverly called the “Terminator gene. Sugar Beets: More than half -- 54 percent -- of sugar sold in America comes from sugar beets. Some scientists attempt to argue that GMOs are perfectly safe for human feasting, more and more data surfaces claiming otherwise. Canola oil is used in cooking, as well as biofuels. Although the pricing may differ, you are paying for the quality of the food and essentially, your quality of life. Rather than creating foods that contain GMOs, we should focus more on the naturally occurring wonders that nature has performed for millions of years. If this were any indication as to how humans will be affected after long-term exposure to GMOs, then I would not want to eat something that could harm my bodily organs, endanger my life and the lives of any future children. Now that I have introduced GMO’s, I want to explain the health risks associated with these types of foods. The app is called “True Food Shoppers Guide” and is compatible with iPhones, iPod Touches, iPads and Android phones. For example, humans digest the animals that have been in contact with GMOs, which results in exposure. You will go bankrupt. Those that argue for GMOs insisting that they are safe to eat should consider the negative effects of the food and reevaluate their position on GMOs. The app is extremely easy to use and offers information about the products that contain GMOs as well as tips on how to avoid them. (Well, that's how it works initially; now resistant " superweeds" have increased the amount of pesticides farmers must spray on their GE crops. Jeffrey M. Even farms that chose not to use GM seeds are under the constant threat of the larger corporations taking over their business. The harsh reality is that even if we are conscious about what we eat and try to stay away from processed foods, even the air we breathe contains GMOs! More and more children are having life-threatening allergies, which can be contributed to increased GMO intake. Purchasing food that is grown locally and without the use of GMOs, we can preserve the businesses that still choose to grow their food the natural way while also increasing our lifespan and overall health. Choosing to buy local organic produce over crops that contain genetically modified organisms can not only help you stay healthy, but also keep our research essay on genetically modified food local farmers in business so that they may continue to grow their crops the way nature intended. Groups such as “California’s Right to Know” are petitioning for the labeling of GMOs to be a requirement for all food products so that shoppers can be cautious of what foods they buy and make more informed decisions. Since corn can be manipulated and injected into virtually any food product, the thought of GM corn is even scarier. As a result, animals have been suffering because of the health complications brought on by GMOs. If we support farms who’s purpose is to be as sustainable as possible, we are doing our part to eliminate GMOs because organic farms are able to continuing growing their produce and stay in business. That’s not all; the United States college application essay service kenyon is the only other country besides Canada that does not require GMOs to be labeled on the packaging (Label GMOs). While effects may be only starting to surface amongst humans, tests on animals have been going on for a longer period of time. S. Some foods that we ingest on a research essay on genetically modified food daily basis that contain GM ingredients are dairy products food additives such as enzymes and flavorings, meat, eggs, honey, and pollen in the air contain traces of GM materials (Smith, “Genetic Roulette” 258). Although GMOs were only introduced in 1996, the side effects can already be seen: there have been increased allergic reactions, antibiotic resistant bacteria and other toxic hazards (Safe Food). These include soy, in which 89 percent of the total soy crop is GM, cotton (83 percent), canola (75 percent), corn (60 percent), Hawaiian papaya (more than 50 percent), alfalfa, zucchini, and yellow squash. Smith, a leader in promoting healthier research essay on genetically modified food non-GMO food choices, writes in the introduction to his book, Genetic Roulette about the many side effects of GMOs that were displayed during animal testing: Lab animals tested with GM foods had stunted growth, impaired immune systems, bleeding stomachs, abnormal and potentially cancerous cell growth in the intestines, impaired blood cell development, misshapen cell structures in the liver, pancreas, and testicles, altered gene expression and cell metabolism, liver and kidney lesions, partially atrophied livers, inflamed kidneys, less developed brains and testicles, enlarged livers, pancreases, and intestines reduced digestive enzymes, higher blood sugar, inflamed lung tissue, increased death rates and higher offspring mortality. The farmers that maintain the traditional farming practices and choose to grow organic produce over crops that are GE are constantly trying to keep their businesses alive. Using the word directly implies that down the line we are exposed to the GMOs present in these products. Your seed stores will be destroyed. Organic farmers are an excellent example of people who decided to work with nature, rather than against it. Not only does buying locally grown produce healthier, but also gives promise that the healthy food you are purchasing will still be available for years to come. By making the information more accessible to the general public, more awareness can be spread about the foods we consume and how we can avoid GMOs. (That may change if California voters approve Prop 37, a measure that would require labeling on foods containing GMOs. Seeing that GMO’s have only been deemed “safe” for human consumption for a little over 15 years and there have been no long-term studies performed on humans, the changes in animal fetuses mirror the growth of human babies. While we are lucky to live in an area that is well known for growing a variety of crops, corporations and their GMOs are starting to, if they have not already, take over. Being resistant to pesticides, GMOs are created by splicing genes of different species that are combined through genetic engineering (GE), something that is impossible to do in nature (The Non-GMO Project). GMOs are plant or meat products that have had their DNA altered in a laboratory by genes from other plants, animals, viruses or bacteria. By consuming GMOs you are putting your own life at risk. While the GM seeds are sold at a lower price than other seeds, because they cannot be used for the next planting season, the cost of these cheaper seeds increase over time. For example, corporations like Delta & Pine Land Co. In recent years, genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have replaced our diet with genetically altered foods, which have adversely affected human health as well as local communities. This benefits the companies that sell the seeds as at the end of each season; farmers must purchase new seeds. Taking a stand against GMOs is key. As we attempt to conquer the food industry by imposing our own rules on how to generate food, we are essentially going to defeat ourselves at our own game. Rodale’s “agricultural methods and health benefits of growing food without synthetic chemicals” (Pollan 142) are said to be what started the organic revolution and Four Sisters Farms wishes to keep that dream alive. According to Jared Diamond in his book, Collapse, he claims that “virtually all GM crop production at present is of just four crops (soybeans, corn, canola, and cotton) not eaten directly by humans but used for animal fodder, oil, or clothing” (508). In the United States there are nine crops that are currently commercialized and sold to consumers. One way to become more aware of what we consume is by downloading an application on your smartphone that helps you locate and avoid products that contain GM ingredients. Most GE food grown in the U. Already 37 people have died from side effects of GMOs, 1,500 partially paralyzed and 5,000 were temporarily handicapped by chemicals used in harvesting GMOs (Smith, “Genetic Roulette” 258). It’s your body and only you can decide what to put in it. Genetically modified sugar beets account for 90 percent of the crop; however, that percentage is expected to increase after a USDA's decision last year gave the green light to sugar beet planting before an environmental impact statement was completed. Many buy a doctoral dissertation jung GM crops “contain its own built-in pesticides…when bugs take a bite of the GM plant, the toxins split open their stomach and kill them” (Smith, “Genetically Modified Food Is Not Safe 18). Shiv Visvanathan writes, “that nature was not just an object of experiment or a source but a part of a way of life” (152). Most of the time we do not even realize that we are eating these harmful toxins as they are infused in our food without our knowledge (Label GMOs). ” What this means is that the “gene causes a plant to effectively commit suicide, by producing a sterile seed” (Arkansas Times) and cannot be used again for the next planting season. Rodale, who was research essay on genetically modified food an advocator for organic food, the farm tries to refrain from using pesticides whenever possible. The “Four Simple Tips” feature tells the buyer how to avoid GMOs in any product they choose to buy. GMOs have not been adequately tested on humans and is just one of the many reasons why they should not be consumed. With this in mind, we ingest these “safe” crops can one person make a difference essay every single day despite their ability to kill other living things from the inside out. There are countless farms in California that can grow just about anything due to research essay on genetically modified food the fertile soil and ideal weather conditions. In particular, the researchers found malformations of the head and cyclopia (where a single eye is present in the centre of the forehead)” (The Ecologist). Anything that is toxic enough to kill one living thing will do harm to all living things. Products that do not contain any GMOs are also listed so that customers can decide between two different brands that are similar but differ in GMO content.


This list of culinary fruits contains the names of some fruits that are considered edible in some cuisines. The word "fruit" is used in several different ways. The definition of fruit for these lists is a culinary fruit, i.e. "Any sweet, edible .. (Sorbus domestica), bears a fruit known as a sorb or sorb apple; Soursop (Annona muricata;. Here is the list of fruits with name that start with R, most of the fruit in the list below Are you looking for whats fruits that starting with P? Do you want to know whats fruits name starting with letter P? . mountain soursop fruit images wallpaper. Explore Sandra Tuazon's board "Soursop Fruit" on Pinterest. | See more ideas about Fruit trees, Exotic fruit and Tropical fruits.
Fruits that start with p soursop fruit - college football
The first 3 are among the 7 major pests of the soursop in Colombia, the other 4 being: Aguinaldo PhilippinesDavao Philippines Acid: The 5 most damaging are: Huito Genipa americana ; Rubiaceae ; also called jaguagenipapjenipapo. For this purpose, the seeded pulp may be pressed in a colander or sieve or squeezed in cheesecloth to extract the rich, creamy juice, which is then beaten with milk or water and sweetened. In this list of fruit names and pictures starting with M letter that I made you If you want to download the pictures of fruits in this list just click the fruit pictures you want to Mountain Soursop Fruit (Scientific name is Annona montana) Fruit Names Starting With P · Fruit Names That Start With C · Fruit Names. Soursop. p. The fruit is more or less oval or heart-shaped, some times irregular, lopsided or curved, The soursop is one of the most abundant fruits in the Dominican Republic and . The tree grows rapidly and begins to bear in 3 to 5 years. Fruit Development (soursop): After fruit set, fruit development is determined that 1, kg of fresh fruit contains the following: N 2, g P g K 2, g Ca Harvesting and Yields: Seedling soursop trees begin bearing within 3 years and.
Soursop Fruit How To Cut And Eat Guanabana Exotic Fruit


Have you noticed how great the Learning Garden looks?
Post date: Oct 21, 2015 4:36:01 PM
Hi Lily Bees! Have you noticed how great the Learning Garden looks?? If not, check it out this week. We owe a special thanks to Eagle Scout, Philip Lyles, who spent his Columbus Day cleaning out the flower beds, re-staining the beds and planting new Texas-native flowers. (He repainted the hopscotch grids too!).
If you are interested in keeping the Learning Garden looking great, please join the Garden Club. Beginning Thursday, October 29, we will meet on Thursdays at 3:05 PM at the Learning Garden to water plants, weed the gardens, and take care of other Learning Garden needs. If you would like to be a part of the Garden Club, a parent or other adult will need to stay with you. You are welcome to help every week, once a month, or how ever often works with your (and your parent's) schedule!
Please contact Jenni Cole at email@example.com if you would like to join us or if you have any questions.


With childhood obesity and poverty increasing, now more than ever before, children need to learn about and work in gardens. Gardening is great exercise and children who help to grow their food will make healthier food choices. Gardening Grants are available not only for schools, but also for after-school programs, daycares, community garden plots, and many other not for profit groups. The benefits of these gardening programs are numerous and grants to start or maintain an established one requires applying to the right organization and meeting their guidelines. Children can learn vital lessons about interdependence, community, and local food crops that they will carry with them to adulthood, perhaps even becoming lifelong gardeners.
Searching for an organization or company that offers Gardening Grants is not too difficult if you find a centralized information depot like the one available from the National Gardening Association. They offer a wealth of information on gardening with children, ways to incorporate science or other curriculum, and links to other resources. One of their best resources is a page dedicated to finding grants to start or expand a current gardening program. There are detailed descriptions of the requirements of each available grant. Another lesser known source for gardening grants are local food cooperatives that offer support for local school garden and nutrition programs. Deadlines for all of these grants vary and must be strictly adhered to, so be sure that you are leaving yourself enough time to write a proposal for the program you are interested in.
Some organizations and companies offer Gardening Grants to specific ages or grades of children and others want to ensure that the recipient will teach specific principles or link it to state learning requirements. There are donors who give preference to certain types of programs or areas of the United States. One common requirement is that there be a minimum number of planned participants. Many grantees want to support programs that have a focus on environmental stewardship or leadership and community involvement. Grant awards can be in the form of cash, gift cards to garden centers, specific gardening tools or supplies, or gift certificates to be used in a specific catalog.


Grow Genie is an automatic plant watering system that works up to 30 days. Does it work? Read our Grow Genie review.
About Grow Genie
Grow Genie is a watering system that using wicking technology to keep plants watered for up to 30 days. The product website is getgrowgenie.com, which was registered in May 2016. The screen shot below shows the official website as it appeared in July 2016.
Claims & Features
- Plant watering system
- Just wet and forget
- Hydro Wick brings water from reservoir to roots
- Feeds plants up to 30 days
- Works with all types of pots, indoors or out
A set of 1 medium and 1 large Grow Genies costs $14.99 + $6.99 P&H. A second set is included for another $6.99, and you can’t opt out of this double offer. Be careful while ordering, as there is no confirmation screen, and the drop-down asks you how many double offer sets you want to order. Choosing “1” means you are getting 2 sets. This can be confusing for some consumers.
As of this writing, Grow Genie isn’t available in stores.
Grow Genie Review
Grow Genie is an automatic plant watering system which uses moisture wicking to keep plants watered for up to 30 days. Unlike some other popular automatic watering systems, Grow Genie delivers water from below, rather than from above.
Grow Genie is a simple plastic device which is inserted through the bottom of a pot via the drainage hole. You then add water to the base of the pot, and Grow Genie will deliver water to the plant via moisture wicking. A wick extends from the bottom of Grow Genie (in order to capture moisture) up through the spike which is inserted into the pot.
Our product researchers feel that Grow Genie will be sufficient for the majority of common pots. The two provided sizes should be versatile enough to work with the most common potted plant sizes.
Although the website for Grow Genie states that plants can be fed for “up to 30 days” using this device, the average pot doesn’t have a base that holds 30 days worth of water. This, of course, depends on the type of plant, soil, and the size of the pot. 30 days is probably not a realistic number for most situations.
The majority of pots will have drainage holes, and thus Grow Genie should work with them. If you have a pot without a drainage hole, Grow Genie will not work.
The DIY types here have pointed out that you can make your own plant wicking system rather easily, which begs the question as to whether you need a $20 investment to achieve this.
We recently reviewed a similar As Seen on TV product called Aqua Globes, which can still be found online, although the official product website appears to be offline as of this writing.
A similar product on Amazon is called Planted Perfect. This automatic vacation watering device has a 4.5 star rating among dozens of consumers.
Your Grow Genie Reviews
Have you used Grow Genie? Give us your thoughts by leaving a comment below and a star rating above.


One of the most visible signs of harvest approaching is when the red grape varieties begin to develop their color, in a process called veraison. The term in French means “the onset of ripening,” and everywhere in the world where grapes are grown it is accompanied by excitement and a buzz of activity.
Table grapes at veraison.
Veraison actually started about a month ago in the Finger Lakes. Each varietal marches to its beat of its own drum, with the unknown table grapes shown above from last weekend well on there way, while Cabernet Sauvignon right across the street is less farther along. Concords in my yard just have a few berries per cluster showing signs of pink.
Cabernet Sauvignon at veraison.
From the time berries form until veraison, energy goes into cell division. At veraison, changes occur in the cells so that energy goes into sugar development. At the same time, malic acid degrades, leaving tartaric acid as the dominant acid component. For Chardonnay and red wines, it is often desired to convert tartaric acid back to malic by malolactic fermentation, but more about that when we actually get there.
One of many tools to scare away birds.
Unfortunately, birds and deer also know something is up, in part visually and also due to changes in the aromas in the vineyard. Growers have a number of tricks at their disposal, such as these modern versions of scarecrows, propane powered cannons, and netting.
Based on data collected by Cornell, the New York State Department of Agriculture & Markets has notified wineries that they may purchase out of state grapes due to this year’s winter damage. State law allows this on a per-varietal basis when the loss for the varietal is 40% or more. The affected grapes are:
- Cabernet Franc
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Gamay Noir
- La Crescent
- Pinot Gris
- Pinot Noir
Several of these are surprising, for instance Frontenac and La Crescent that are supposedly winter hardy down to minus 33 degrees. A spot check of weather recorded up north (Watertown) and out west towards Buffalo, where wineries producing with these grapes are situated, did not uncover anything near that. It would be interesting to know more about the affected wineries and their fruit sources.
Although I have come to believe that decks tend to be stacked against grape suppliers as opposed to purchasers, New York does have a rigorous process for granting waivers. A winery seeking to use out of state fruit must list 3 growers from which it tried to purchase, and the amounts must be in line with what it has purchased in the past. Further, if the wine is less than 75% New York grapes, it cannot carry a New York or regional appellation. The benefit to the winery is that it can at least continue to participate in the wine market. Alas, all the grower has to fall back on is crop insurance.
Yet another weather system in moving into the Finger Lakes the next two days with the potential to drop another 1 to 3 inches of rain. According to the Cornell University Northeast Regional Climate Center (NRCC), the temperature hasn’t been far off from the long term averages, but the summer has been decidedly wet, with flooding experienced in Ithaca, Penn Yan, and other areas in the Finger Lakes.
|*through August 11
More troubling has been severe storms we have experienced, including several bouts of hail and one spate of tornadoes.
Hail on a deck near Ithaca, courtesy Finger Lakes Weather and Sharon Heller.
While no farmer ever wants to see hail, this type of precipitation is particularly tough on grapes. The photo below is probably of a native American varietal, as indicated by the loose clusters. Vinifera tends to be more tightly clustered, and a puncture in the skin of a grape on the outside of the cluster allows juice to stream inside where, with nowhere to go, it produces rot. The juice from compromised clusters is decidedly, in the words of Alton Brown, “not good eats,” and they must be discarded or the grapes sorted before pressing – an arduous and expensive process for which there is little time during harvest.
Hail damaged grapes, courtesy Finger Lakes Grape Program.
At this point in the season, the grapes have all the water they need. Some stretches of sunshine and low humidity would be most helpful.
Posted in Growing


My mother has a green thumb. She can grow just about anything. I've seen her take a stick out of the yard, plunk it into a plastic milk jug she cut in half and 3 weeks later she's got a fully bloomed plant with rainbow colored flowers. She's that good.
I did not inherit that particular gift.
Varicose veins, yes. Green thumb, no.
My green thumb envy usually manifests itself by dragging my poor husband into the garden center at our hardware store. It's there where I convince him that "this year will be different!" and begin buying plants with names like "Better Boy" and "Admiral" and "Yellow Ebenezer". How can you possibly mess up with a tomato plant called "Better Boy"? It just screams success.
Over the years I've had small gardens, big gardens, raised-bed gardens, and drywall bucket gardens. Gardens with cow manure, chicken manure, and worm manure (I even attempted to raise my own worms that spring...I got maggots). Gardens that I have over-watered, under-fertilized, and never weeded. Gardens with strings, bells, sprinklers, fences, posts, and cages.
And every year, they all turn out the same. Like the scary house in a Stephen King novel.
Horrifying tales of brown, twisted plants. Fungus covered vegetables. Ugly black bugs. Smelly dirt (how that's possible I don't know but one year the dirt smelled). And some withered, skinny old man, standing in the middle of the garden, waiting in the dark to scare some innocent youngsters (that would be the scarecrow I bought at the craft store a few Octobers ago, with the hopes of scaring away rabbits...now I just put him by the mailbox at Halloween).
But my green thumb envy has kinda ebbed this spring for some reason. I've been to the farmers market a few times and I made it through the garden center without buying a single plant last week. But who knows, maybe this year, we'll put in a fall garden....oooh, I know! what about our own pumpkin patch...


- What to do with zucchini that got too big?
- How Big Should I let my yellow squash grow?
- Should I pinch off squash flowers?
- Are Zucchini good when they get big?
- Can old zucchini make you sick?
- What can I do with oversized squash?
- What’s the best way to preserve squash?
- How do you freeze yellow squash without cooking it?
- What month do you plant squash?
- Is overgrown zucchini still good?
- Can Squash get too big to eat?
- Why are my crookneck squash bumpy?
- Why is Zucchini not good for you?
- Should you water cucumbers everyday?
- Can you freeze zucchini without blanching it?
What to do with zucchini that got too big?
If you’ve got really big zucchini, cut them into roughly 3-inch sections and then hollow them into cups.
If for some reason you’ve decided you’re going to stuff smaller zucchini (petits farcis, anyone?), just shave a bit along one side and use that as the starting point.
Don’t throw out the cores..
How Big Should I let my yellow squash grow?
Yellow squash (crookneck and straightneck) can grow up to 10 inches long, but don’t let them. They taste best when harvested young. Pick squash between 4 to 6 inches in length to ensure tenderness.
Should I pinch off squash flowers?
When vines grow to 5 feet, pinch off the growing tips to encourage fruit-bearing side-shoots. By midsummer, pinch off remaining flowers and small fruits on vining and winter squash. This will allow the plant to focus its energy on the ripening crop.
Are Zucchini good when they get big?
As I mentioned earlier, bigger is not always better when it comes to zucchini. Generally, smaller zucchinis are less bitter, have softer seeds, and thinner skins.
Can old zucchini make you sick?
Zucchinis, also called courgettes, contain a naturally occurring compound. When this is at a high enough level it can lead to symptoms such as nausea and diarrhea.
What can I do with oversized squash?
So if you’re looking for some creative ways to put your squash harvest to good use this summer, consider five of our favorite ideas:Fry Squash Into Fritters or Croquettes.Freeze Squash for Winter. … Slice Squash Into Noodles.Make Squash Kid-Friendly.Diversify Your Squash Recipe Repertoire.
What’s the best way to preserve squash?
We recommend preserving summer squash or zucchini by pickling or freezing. Summer squash is good for you. It is low in calories and many varieties provide vitamin C, potassium and, if the skin is eaten, beta carotene. Preserve summer squash by freezing, pickle them for canning or dry them.
How do you freeze yellow squash without cooking it?
Allow your squash to cool; then, drop it into a freezer bag, and pop it in the freezer. If you prefer, you can also flash freeze your squash on a cookie sheet before bagging it. This will ensure that each piece freezes individually, so you can easily reach into a bag and grab just what you need for a recipe.
What month do you plant squash?
springThat means squash can be sown in late spring just about everywhere, and if you live in a long growing season region where the weather turned warm six weeks ago, you may be on to your second planting of squash, perhaps a second variety. Most summer squash require 50 to 65 frost free days to mature.
Is overgrown zucchini still good?
Yes, overgrown zucchini is still edible and can be used to make delicious breads, cakes and muffins, but it does take a bit of time to prepare.
Can Squash get too big to eat?
If you wait too long and the squash get too big, the seeds will be large, tough and hard to eat and the flesh won’t be quite as tender. Large summer squash are still edible and taste almost as good as young squash. But because of the texture of the flesh and seeds, more mature squash are less desirable.
Why are my crookneck squash bumpy?
Reasons for Bumpy Squash Rapid growth, boring insects and excess calcium in soil may contribute to lumpy squash plants. However, the majority of these fruit deformities are the result of a mosaic virus. … Summer squash get green overgrowths on the exterior, while winter squash grow knobby protrusions.
Why is Zucchini not good for you?
In short, commercial varieties of zucchini should be safe to eat raw. They are delicious, incredibly healthy, and can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. However, if you bite into an extremely bitter zucchini, it’s best to dispose of it. This is a sign of high concentrations of cucurbitacins, which may be harmful.
Should you water cucumbers everyday?
The main care requirement for cucumbers is water—consistent watering! They need at least one inch of water per week (or more, if temperatures are sky-high). Put your finger in the soil and when it is dry past the first joint of your finger, it is time to water. Inconsistent watering leads to bitter-tasting fruit.
Can you freeze zucchini without blanching it?
Can you freeze zucchini without blanching? Yes, you absolutely can! This method saves you time without having to bring a big pot of water to a boil and then doing a water bath. The secret is that instead of chopping it into pieces, you want to shread it.


Wednesday / July 11, 2007
Summer Garden Impact
Brandon had so much fun picking peppers and herbs today. He is washing and munching on the peppers as we speak. He would not be eating them so vigorously if I just tried to serve them with dinner. Planting and picking have really had an impact on him.
Thursday / May 10, 2007
Hurray, hurray, hurray,
I have felt in my gut for a long time that most of the learning problems kids have in school are diet related. The nutrition and taste of an organic apple is much different from an apple grown on a corporate farm. I was thrilled to my bones to discover the Organic School Project. As a former teacher and as a parent I know that good food today is an investment in the state of our healthy tomorrow. Thank you, thank you, thank you.


Our landscaping services include:
Mulch & Stone Installation
We fill your flower beds with mulch or stone to make them pop and beautify your yard.
Plant & Tree Installation
We plant flowers and bushes in your freshly mulched flower beds and plant trees in your yard for beautification of your property.
This is the process of adding stone, metal, or plastic edging to the edges of your flower beds to create a nice solid border around your flower beds.
Seeding & Sodding
We can plant grass seed or lay down sod to cover up dead spots in your grass, redo your yard, or create new patches of grass where a tree or shed was removed.


Counteracting climate change and bringing hope to those in need
In 2019, Save the Children embarked on the implementation of the Integrated Food Security and Livelihoods (FSL) and Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) Project in Gaza province with the intention of strengthening the resilience of communities in the identified implementation areas. The project aims to help communities and families to adapt to climate shocks and climate change in general, by assisting them to build sustainable livelihoods for food and income security. Complimentary to this, the project also implements a maternal, newborn and child health component.
The communities in the six target districts have been hard hit by the cyclical droughts affecting the western and northern districts of Gaza province in southern Mozambique, and as such, it was hard to know how successful the project could be. However, half-way through the project’s three year lifespan, communities and government partners have noted several positive changes in the lives of the beneficiaries, particularly children.
The project’s first challenge was to be innovative, bearing in mind that fact that the districts of Guijá, Mabalane, Massingir, Mapai, Chicualacuala and Chigubo are historically arid. The conditions have been aggravated in recent years by the El-Ninõ drought and by climate change in general. The populations in these districts, who essentially depend on subsistence agriculture for their livelihoods, rarely manage to produce enough for their families and consequentially, experience cyclical episodes of hunger. They are also unable to meet their children's basic health and education needs, resulting in high levels of malnutrition and school dropout.
José Uqueio is the Provincial Coordinator FSL-MNCH Project, funded by Save the Children Italy. He explains that the project is working with 60 groups, organized into peasant’s associations, in each of the six districts. Each district has 10 associations, mostly concentrated in lowland areas, where agricultural activity is more viable. “In the highlands, which are more arid, we have intensified the micro-finance and livestock component. In the agriculture component, we support farmers training and encourage them to work in groups, making them understand that it is easier to produce together than to work separately”, explains Uqueio.
He continues saying that “The project empowers producers in various ways, such as providing inputs, especially certified seeds, and teaches them how to make products for the control of pests and diseases. It also provides irrigation kits to make it easier for these groups to produce all year round and not rely solely on the rain”.
Save the Children introduced crops to improve income. In coordination with the beneficiaries, some crops were selected for commercialization (common beans, kidney beans, potatoes, garlic, tomatoes, and regular and hybrid cabbage) in order to accelerate their access to cash and improve their living conditions.
The project also promotes micro-finance where the agricultural savings can be consolidated and used for revolving credit, allowing the members to buy inputs and other goods.
In order to ensure these initiatives are successful, Save the Children has been working closely with local governments and their institutions.
One of the strategic institutions that helps generate success in the project is the Agrarian Research Institute of Mozambique (IIAM), which supports seed production. According to José Uqueio, this partnership is vital because under normal conditions, producers are unable to find seeds when they need them. This connection ensures the availability of produce because the beneficiaries have access to high quality seed in time for planting.
As well, the project has trained a livestock promoter in each of the 60 target communities to ensure that livestock and poultry farms are free of the diseases that undermine the sustainability of their efforts. The promoters are members of the community who have been trained to identify and treat common diseases affecting cattle, pigs, goats and all small ruminants. Chickens, which form one of the livelihoods for rural women, are seasonally vaccinated against Newcastle disease. Many women make use of the income from the sale of their hens to buy school supplies for their children.
HOW IS THE PROJECT SEEN BY THE BENEFICIARIES?
Arlindo dos Santos Chauque is president of the “Pfuneka Agro-Pecuária” Association, in the locality of Pumbe, Guijá district, one of the 60 groups that the project helped to create. This association, he explains, has an area of 28.5 hectares of land, but its current production capacity only allows the association to effectively farm 7 to 8 hectares with diversified crops. The association primarily cultivates manioc, bananas, tomatoes, onions, garlic, potatoes, lettuce, common beans, cowpeas and spinach.
Cháuque considers that the support of Save the Children was crucial for the establishment of the association. “When we established ourselves as a group, we received seeds and a tractor to prepare the land. We learned various cultivation techniques and the result is what you can see here in this field”, he states. Chaúque remembers that before Save the Children’s intervention, members of the Pumbe community were obliged to turn to other producers in order to have access to the foods that today are available in their own fields. Chaúque adds:
“We used to cross the river to the other bank to buy lettuce or onions or tomatoes. Here we had neither the seed nor the knowledge about producing these vegetables. With this innovation, we no longer have to resort to other communities. We now produce and help other communities. We produce enough for our consumption and commercialization, which allows us to generate income and take care of the needs of our children, such as the purchase of school supplies and produce that we haven't been able to sow yet”.
In the community of Ndonga, in Guijá district, we met Miguel Ngovene, who chairs a local association called “Ku Himela Ntsongwana” (In Defense of the Child). Miguel appreciates Save the Children's efforts for promoting the establishment of associations among the community members, as forming an association has enabled them to obtain arable land on the banks of the Limpopo River. The association is one of three that has benefited from water pumps with high irrigation capacity (up to 10 hectares per day), which allows them to cultivate several crops, from cassava, corn, beets, sweet potatoes, carrots and others. For this farmer, the pump has revolutionized agriculture, since it allows regular irrigation throughout the year.
Miguel Ngovene is supported by Miséria Fenias Massingue, one of the associates and supervisor of the association who additionally says:
“What we produce here helps us and the community in general. Above all, it helps to improve the children's diet. Children eat cassava and the cassava leaf itself because it is one of the main ingredients in improved porridge to combat malnutrition. As for the sweet potato leaf, in addition to normal consumption, we make sweet potato juice, which is very rich in vitamins”.
The association takes responsibility for the most disadvantaged children in the community. With their savings, members look after the children's health and buy their school supplies. Recently, they even mobilized birth registration services to register children who had not yet been registered, according to Miséria Massingue.
Hélio Chongo is a Community Agro-livestock Development Agent (CDA) in Guijá. He recalls that it is necessary to bear in mind the ultimate objective of the project, which is to improve food security in all communities. “Here in Ndonga we help emerging farmers and provide them with inputs such as seeds and fertilizers. We support communities with drought-resistant crops, especially sweet potatoes, thanks to the technical support we receive from IIAM. We produce several varieties with a high protein content and benefit the community with production throughout the year. We also support with water pumps in three communities with the capacity to irrigate 10 hectares per day. We want to be able to ensure the production of different crops to guarantee food security and improve the children's nutrition. With the pumps, a lot has changed,” he notes. One of the challenges that Guijá faces is the scarcity of water, making it difficult to irrigate the fields. Therefore measures such as mulching are used to maintain soil moisture. Using organic materials such as grass around the base of the plants not only helps reduce moisture loss, but it also adds nutrients to the soil as it biodegrades.
The community of Ndonga also works with Américo Chuva, who is an experienced farmer and who provide technical support to the community, while also cultivating his five hectares of land, where he grows potatoes, cabbage, beans and tomatoes. He, himself, receives seeds from Save the Children and in return, he produces food to support 35 children. He is confident that there will be good production throughout the year.
In the district of Mabalane, Save the Children is supporting the Kókwè Peasant's Association that, in addition to the normal crops of maize, lettuce, onion and tomato, they have a 1.5 hectare field for the production of yellow maize certified seed.
Orlando Balói is the President of the Association and he is also confident that the production of corn seed will add value to crop production in the future. "This is beneficial for us peasants because it allows us to have income and enables us to help our children", he stresses, while recognizing the innovations that the FSL-MNCH project added, especially with the allocation of the water pump, which makes it possible to produce crops throughout the year.
With regard to livestock assistance, promoters such as Aventina Chaúque ensure that the animals are healthy by identifying and treating sick animals, as well as organizing vaccination sessions to prevent diseases. “My mission is to vaccinate sick cattle and give them baths to remove ticks. I work with breeders here in the community and serve more than 500 families, including animals outside the community. Before, there was only the traditional methods of treatment and there were many losses”, he notes.
GOVERNMENT EMBRACES THE FSL-MNCH
The National Institute of Agricultural Research (IIAM) of Mozambique is the technical arm of the project, especially with regard to the production of corn seed. To date, the project has 1.5 hectares for seed production in Hókwè, Mabalane district. The genetic material that is used for seed production was provided by IIAM.
Miguel Cumaio, IIAM researcher based in the neighboring district of Chókwè says:
“We have a healthy partnership with Save the Children and it is based on this partnership that we assist the seed production process. In this place [Hokwe] we have a variety called gema, with a yield potential of five tons. This variety has a special feature that is the pro-vitamin A, so it has this yellow color. With this partnership, we hope that Save the Children will be able to make the seed available to several producers and thereby increase productivity”.
IIAM's perspective is that in the medium term the industrial sector will be interested in corn for the manufacture of animal feed and this will boost the economy of the communities involved. This variety of corn is also considered good for children because of its high content of vitamin A..
“We have 1.5 hectares here and we expect to produce four tons. With 4 tons of seed, we can plant 200 hectares and from there get a thousand tons for consumption and commercialization, which is why we believe that this partnership will help a lot to increase corn productivity and yield”, added the IIAM researcher.
For IIAM, this initiative will ensure that there is no shortage of seed, which has been one of the major challenges in that district. The variety being reproduced has a short cycle of 120 days, which means that even if there is little rain, production does not stop. As part of this partnership, communities will soon be sowing another variety of an even shorter cycle called Dimba. This variety has an extra-short cycle of 90 days and is recommended for arid and semi-arid areas.
For the government of Mabalane, Save the Children is a strategic partner for ensuring assistance to families in agricultural and livestock production. Mauro Sumbana, Supervisor of the Agrarian Extension Network in Mabalane and Activities Coordinator for the Agriculture and Fisheries Department, says:
“We have, in the present campaign, three major programs that we are carrying out with Save the Children, one of which is the production of certified agricultural seed. We are currently producing corn seed here in the Kókwè community, where we planted 1.5 hectares in partnership with the IIAM. In addition to seed, we have the food production component. We have different varieties of fresh seasonal products, which is an asset for families. Mabalane is a semi-arid district where rain-based agricultural production is quite difficult. With this program and the water pumps, we already have families producing vegetables, cereals and some cash crops, which makes a difference in the 10 communities where the project is being implemented. In addition to food production, we have the capacity building component at community level. Just to highlight, these 10 communities were trained in Ascas (Village Savings and Loans). Thus we bring the spirit of producing not only for consumption, but also for sale to allow for some savings. These savings help families in a variety of ways because they can buy school supplies for children and provide basic health services and they can purchase some basic products”.
As he stresses, without this type of initiative, the communities would be exposed to hunger, since production in that part of Gaza depends on the rains. Without the intervention of the Government and its partners - he adds – people would be in a situation of threatened food security. “With this support we are able to guarantee food security in the families and communities”.
Rosa Júlio is the substitute of the head of the Mubangoene Administrative Post in Guijá, who says that Save the Children's strategy to work with communities in the form of associations is functional because several peasants can benefit from the same technical support at once. At the Mubangoene Administrative Post, for example, three associations have already benefited from the water pumps (Xinhacanine, Pumbe and Gunde).
“These associations are currently producing many crops there, although they are pumping water from a relatively long distance. It is producing positive effects. It helps us to educate our communities to save money and we have some groups that are already saving effectively and helping their families”.
Rosa Júlio also recognizes the role of the FSL-MNCH project in income-generating activities and in health, where women are encourages to attend regular prenatal checkups and make plans to deliver in the maternity to reduce child mortality.
“We also appreciate the nutritional component that promotes fortified porridges for children from 6 months to 5 years old. Saving groups are something new in our community. They were unable to do this previously in a structured way and with the tangible results as we see now. People are now aware of how to save and how to generate income from activities. It is making a significant contribution to the development of our district and we want to see this expanded to other communities”.
Save the Children is trying to ensure that remote communities are not forgotten, so that every last child is reached. One of these communities is Matidze in Mabalane district, where there is a strong health component. Florêncio João Sambo, Preventive Medicine Technician in the District Health Directorate, classifies the Community Health Agents of the FSL-MNCH project as “the eyes and ears of the community's health”, so their support is valuable.
For Save the Children, the project is on the right track, as the success indicators shows encouraging progress. The groups are all aware of their mission as guardians of food security, and the importance of supporting the children and the development of their communities.
“From 2019 to now the areas under cultivation have grown a lot, as well as the variety of crops and their yields. It is already possible to see a bright horizon”, says the Project Coordinator, José Uqueio, noting that one cannot lose sight of the fact that the purpose is to benefit the child.
One of the project’s major challenges anticipated is in relation to the impact of COVID-19, since it may affect the supply chains, especially with regard to some seeds that have to come from outside the country, whose acquisition may now be more difficult. COVID-19 also affects the commercialize of produce, since people's movements have been restricted, especially through the Limpopo Corridor, which is a railroad that links Maputo to Harare and that crosses the project's implementation areas. The train's circulation boosts the local economy as it facilitates the flow of products, but with the pandemic, the corridor has been closed for months and its reopening date is still unknown.


Farm-to-School grants inspire healthy, local connections
In a continuing effort to connect school cafeterias with local food producers, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Tuesday award of grant money benefitting 71 projects spanning 42 states and the District of Columbia.
Ranging from just over $20,000 to a high of $100,000, winners of the Farm-to-School grants are expected to serve more than 13,000 schools and 2.8 million students – nearly 45 percent of whom live in rural communities.
“In rural and urban communities across the country, farm to school programs teach students where food comes from, while providing healthy foods that are grown locally on farms and ranches across the nation,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said in a statement.
“These programs also create new market opportunities for local farmers and ranchers interested in partnering with nearby school districts – and by helping to create an even more diverse and thriving agriculture sector, farm to school efforts hold potential to create new jobs in rural areas.”
The Farm to School Program is part of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, which authorized USDA to provide grants and technical assistance to help schools gain better access to local foods. It is also a core element of the USDA’s Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food Initiative, which coordinates the department’s work on local food systems.
Among the group of diverse winners, projects include:
- Somerville Public Schools in Massachusetts will work to develop a district-wide farm to school program with community partners that focus on creating youth jobs and promoting healthy eating and physical education.
- Olympia School District in Washington state will partner with two local farms to help students apply biology, American history, and horticulture skills towards farm management. The farms will grow organic produce for the school district and serve as an outdoor educational space for students.
- Bayfield Regional Food Producers Cooperative in Wisconsin will overcome the obstacles of a short growing season by helping local school districts install and manage high tunnels to supplement school gardens. In addition to providing nutrient-dense hardy greens and other vegetables to the students in their lunches and snacks, the high tunnels will allow educators to implement experiential, project‐based learning in the spring and fall seasons.
- Northeast Iowa Food & Fitness Initiative and Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission in Iowa will work with local farmers and a newly established food hub to boost production to meet the needs of local schools. They have set a goal with four rural school districts to increase local purchases by 200 percent.
- Grass Valley, California’s Live Healthy will expand its current farm-to-cafeteria program from 11 to 15 school sites, and establish an educational, two-acre farm that will provide quality hands-on farm and kitchen based education involving sustainable practices to grow delicious food for school meals. An organization dedicated to educating, inspiring and connecting western Nevada County families to fresh, local seasonal foods, Live Healthy’s farm-to-school program includes a local produce stand at each school, a “Harvest of the Month” program, farm field trips, school garden consultations and guest visits by farmers, nutrition specialists and chefs.
These projects highlight the critical need for a new Food, Farm and Jobs Bill now more than ever, said Vilsack. Producers need renewed and expanded access to farm bill programs to fuel the growing demand for local food in new markets, including school meals programs, and to increase economic opportunities for America’s farmers and ranchers.
USDA recently released the results of its first-ever Farm to School Census, which showed that in school year 2011-2012, school districts purchased and served over $350 million in local food, with more than half of participating schools planning to purchase more local foods in the future. School districts that missed the opportunity earlier in the year to respond to the survey can submit information regarding farm to school practices through Nov. 30, 2013.
For a complete list of 2014 Farm to School grant recipients, visit: http://www.fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/FY_2014_Grant_Award_Summaries.pdf


Looking for Weed Control & Fertilization Services?
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Lawn Fertilization is key in creating a beautiful lawn. The purpose for fertilizing your lawn is to add the necessary nutrients to the soil, in the right amounts and at the right time. Lawn provide the essential elements needed for lawn growth from the soil. Soil preparation it also needed to help resist weeds and will help when the weather is cold, heat, drought and from wear.
Lawn Weed Control Tulsa
Weeds appear annually and will come back year after year. Thus, annual weed control is necessary when a weed free yard is desired and to maintain green, healthy and lush grass. A properly fertilized lawn is the first step in weed control. Weeds distract from the beauty of your lawn and will compete for the available water and nutrients that can result in thinning or discoloration of the desired grass. HomeProzz Lawn Treatment Service is not only convenient, but can save you money by reducing the number of times your lawn needs mowed.
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Ever wanted to know some of the tricks and secrets of composing your organic waste at home.
Saturday 22 April from 10:30am to noon, Dr Brook Clinton from Capital Scraps will join us in the community garden for a Composting Workshop.
Brook will share some of her knowledge and enthusiasm for all things compost, so that we can either create a compost area at home, or contribute to our community garden.
The community garden is located behind the church facing the Amaroo oval. Everyone is welcome – you don’t need to be involved in the parish or the garden.
The workshop is free. Morning tea will be available.


In order to establish the fact that Millets really are the future crop of the country, a couple of things must be looked at. This article, therefore, arrives at the answer to the heading by exploring Millets through a number of different headers-
- What makes Millets special?
- Worldwide production & availability
- Nutritional information
- Health benefits of using millets
- The business angle
- The way forward
By exploring these topics in a somewhat detailed manner, it would be easier to support the fact that Millets truly are the crops of the future.
Millet is the term given to a collective group of small-seeded grass (Poaceae, which is the scientific term for grass) that primarily grows in developing countries like India, Niger, Mali and Nigeria. Being one of the earliest cultivated crops, millets was primarily considered to be a major ingredient in bird seeds, but it is interesting to note that millets have been used in making beer, flatbreads, porridges and other fermented beverages for many years now.
Some of the most popularly cultivated millets and their scientific names are listed down below-
- Finger millet (Eleusine coracana)
- Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum)
- Foxtail millet (Setaria italica)
- Little Millet (Panicum sumatrense)
The genus Echinochloa contains the Indian and Japanese barnyard millets. There are several other variants of millets, but these listed are the most popular. Millets are divided into two broad categories- major and minor. While the major brand contains the most popular millets like pearl, foxtail, finger (Ragi in India) and Proso (White millet); the minor branch contains the unpopular ones like barnyard, little, Guinea, fonio, Kodo to name a few. It is heartening to note that Millets has been positively accepted in almost all parts of the world, especially the developed countries and many are now adding millets in their day to day diet because of its advantages.
What makes millets special?
One of the best qualities of the crop is its extremely high tolerance for droughts. To highlight how little water is needed for rearing these plants, it is insightful to notice that whereas to grow one kilogram of rice, almost 5000 litres of water is required, the same quantity of millets requires only 250 to 300 litres at maximum. Millets are widely referred to as the climate-smart crop as it has the potential to combat the ongoing global climate crisis. In addition, millets grow well in the absence of pesticide and insecticide, and in the hands of the trained farmer, they require little to no input labour.
After harvesting, the remaining stalks can be used for animal fodder, and millets themselves are used as bird feeds as well. In fact, in developed nations such as the United States and the United Kingdom, millets were primarily used as bird feed before their miracle qualities caught the public eye. In recent years, a trend towards organic farming and alternatives to the already well-established grains have made millets as a favourite go-to grain for many. Millets can also be used as the raw material for biofuels. There are several studies that have been conducted on the same.
Worldwide production & availability
India currently leads the world in Millet production followed by the African countries of Nigeria and Niger. China is also present in the list as one of the leading producers, although it lags much behind India in this aspect. The figures shown here are for the year 2107. In India, as of 2018, the crop is grown in 21 states, and the states of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Kerala and Jharkhand give high importance to the growth of millets.
The image below compares the nutritional content of different kinds of Millet to Rice, Wheat and Quinoa, which are other crops widely consumed throughout the world. Raw Millet is composed of roughly 73% carbohydrates, 9% water, 11% protein and 4% fat, thereby making them low fat but high carb alternatives. Millets are rich in phenols, especially catechins and ferulic acid which act as antioxidants. Millets are also gluten-free, making them an ideal source of food for those inflicted by the celiac disease or for those who choose to eat gluten-free.
Health benefits of using millets
With increasing obesity and stress in the upcoming population, millets serve as a cancelling factor for many of the diseases that develop because of obesity and stress. These claims are made only after years of testing with multiple test subjects within which the improvements were noticed.
- Healthy heart: Being a good source of Magnesium, millets help keep the heart beating strong. Magnesium-rich foods help reduce the effects of asthma, and the frequency of migraine attacks.
- Lowering the risk of Type 2 Diabetes: Another reason to have millets is their uncanny ability to reduce the risk of diabetes which can again be attributed to the high concentration of magnesium present in the grains.
- Gallstone prevention: Consumption of fibre rich foods have shown to reduce the chances of gallbladder stones forming within the individual. It is speculated that fibre-rich foods pass through the intestines rapidly and also reduces the bile secretion, thereby decreasing the chances of stone formation.
- Breast Cancer shield: Fibres are shown to reduce the instances of breast cancer among women who are pre-menopausal.
The Business Angle
A strong business plan is extremely important for the success of a product. So, it is highly essential that a stakeholder analysis should be done keeping in mind, Millets. The potential stakeholders in India with respect to Millets would be-
- The farmers
- The Governments (both Central and State)
- Entrepreneurs (preferably in the organic product area)
- Suppliers and Distributors
- Retailers and Wholesalers
- The customers (People who buy might be different from the end-user, the consumer)
- The consumers (People who cook and eat the Millets)
- Workers employed across the value chain
It has to be kept in mind that for Millets, the competitor would be wheat, rice and other widely available and used grain crops.
High power, high interest: These would be the farmers, as they have maximum involvement with maize. The customer, end consumer and Government belong in this category.
High power, low interest: Retailers, Suppliers, Wholesalers and Distributors who keep stock of competitor to Millets would belong in this category.
Low power, high interest: Entrepreneurs would belong in this category as when they are setting up a business; entrepreneurs don’t have much control over the external factors.
Low power, low interest: This would comprise of the workers that are employed across the value chain. These workers, while taking up the role of customer or consumer, automatically gets shifted to the high power-high interest segment.
The image below gives the readers a brief idea of the marketing efficiencies of various marketing channels associated with the Pearl Millets.
The Way Forward
It goes without saying that government impetus is extremely important in making Millet the star crop of the country. Several marketing campaigns that focus on the importance of millets have to be designed and circulated amongst the masses by the government in addition to Millet based initiatives. Odisha government has taken a number of steps in this regard, and the images below show the initiatives taken by the government towards the same.
A robust public distribution system of not only Millets but also other essential grains will ensure that Millets are helpful in satiating the hunger of the poor. In addition, farmers need to be incentivized properly regarding the production of Millets as a whole and a strategic team need to be deployed by the government that makes use of barren, low-quality lands to produce millets while useful well-nourished lands can be used for the production of other crops.
If India can successfully leverage the growing preference for Millets, both in the country and worldwide, improve its Yield per Hectare of Millets by commercializing it, incentivizing production amongst farmers and improving distribution using the PDS, then Millets will definitely be one of India’s top exports bringing in much-needed revenue from outside.


Neercare Agro in association with Jaivik Gurugram
“Farmers Awareness & Training Program 2023”
Join Mr. Akash Chourasiya, a young farmer honored by the Prime Minister and inventor of multi-layered farming, for a workshop on 9th April 2023 brought to you by Neercare Agro in collaboration with Jaivik Gurugram. This event is designed to provide insight into the future of agricultural science as Akash shares his pioneering approach to sustainable farming. Learn useful techniques to support your own farming endeavors, or just come to gain a greater understanding of the science behind the field. Key topics to be covered in this workshop are:
- Multilayer farming Technique
- Indigenous seeds and their health benefits
- Ground water recharge
- Carbon sequestration due to natural farming
Don’t miss this groundbreaking event – register now!
You can fill the form below or contact us at email@example.com or +91 9910820009 to register for the workshop.


NALDA Shortlisted 37,000 Candidates for 2021 Recruitment in 36 States – Check for NALDA PDF Lists Here
List of successful NALDA Candidates shortlisted for 2021 Recruitment. Are you an applicants of National Agricultural Land Development Agency 2021? Then don’t hesitate to check your name for NALDA shortlisted candidates.
Am here to announce to you that the Names of successful candidates for NALDA has been shortlisted out. Those who apply for NALDA recruitment will be selected if their name is among those that are shortlisted.
So if you still want to apply for NALDA recruitment 2021, then click here
NALDA Recruitment of 37,000 Youths Successfully Out
It is very clear that the synergic cooperation between National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA) and Nigeria Institute of Soil Science (NISS) has yielded great innovation recently, as they are set to train and empower thirty seven thousand (37,000) youths across all states of the country.
This is so because youths will be engaged as soil doctors, in order to promote the productivity in the agricultural sector.
We want to let you know that Farming activities has gone beyond cultural form, as scientific methods has evolve to help yield more produce and food security of the country.
However, you should not forget that the targeted youths are graduates with scientific background, or/and agricultural knowledge, that will take charge of the following;
A. Soil management.
B. Soil testing.
C. Extension services/assistance to farmers with reduced charges.
D. Identify soil nutrients, and possible crop that will yield well in a particular piece of land.
Requirements for NALDA Shortlisted Candidates 2021
You are required to come to the training ground with your application documents.
So the training will be a fourteen (14) days core training, after which successful applicants will be given the necessary equipment by NALDA to commence practice.
How to Check for NALDA Shortlisted Candidates List Download PDF
Visit NALDA portal to download list here
Click here for your name
Check 36 States lists


Living a Stress-Free Snowbird Lifestyle in Florida and Maine
Tom Kerr writing on a snowbird lifestyle…
Jim Kovaleski’s got the right idea.
The 55-year-old enjoys the flexibility of both a winter and a summer home…without paying exorbitantly for that kind of highly desirable lifestyle.
“For about ten years I’ve done the snowbird thing,” he says, “spending my winters in Florida and my summers in Maine.”
As soon as the Sunshine State starts to heat up each year, Jim migrates to farmland just a few miles from the Canadian border in rural Robbinston, Maine.
“It’s beautiful. I am right there at the water’s edge, fifty feet from the edge of the Bay of Fundy. I’ll be working in the field or in my garden and look up and see wild turkeys, or there’s a moose standing there.”
While in Maine he lives in a big, old-fashioned trapper’s tent on an organic farm. The owners don’t use the farm, so Jim offered to keep it mowed…in exchange for a free campsite overlooking the water and the freedom to farm a small portion of their land.
For several years, the barter arrangement has worked out great for everyone involved.
“The stars really come out at night because it’s so dark, and the sunrises are great. Since I’m so far north I get to watch how quickly the sun comes up, much faster than in Florida. I’m a morning person, so I get up early and by noon, when it starts to warm up outside, I’ve usually got my whole day done.”
Some days he’ll head to the nearby town of Eastport, where there is a farmer’s market and a grocery store where he sells his produce. His customers also buy raspberries that he grows, and wild edible mushrooms that he forages in the woods.
But the biggest annual windfall awaits him upon his return to Florida.
Jim plants produce there that will grow while he’s up in Maine. In the autumn that yields about a ton or more of marketable vegetables. He also loads up about 5,000 pounds of the food he grew in Maine.
“I’ll sell that in Florida when I get back,” he explains, “for around $9,000.”
Jim supports himself growing produce the organic way…including star fruit, avocados, peaches, guavas, and vegetables. He co-owns half an acre in a residential neighborhood of Port Richey, Florida.
By selling produce cultivated on that property, he saves about $15,000 a year to apply to the loan, and predicts he’ll have the entire $55,000 mortgage paid off in full within five years.
P.S. Discover how you can enjoy a more laidback, authentic, independent way of life in The Savvy Retiree Daily. Sign up below to have it delivered – free of charge – to your email inbox.