An all-female Landcarer line-up will mark International Women’s Day with the latest instalment of the 2021 Landcare Webinar Series. Titled #ChoosetoChallenge, the discussion on March 8 at 9am AEDT will feature a diverse panel of Australian women in landcare sharing their knowledge, insights and experiences in the community. Hosted by Marg Applebee, Coordinator for Central […]Find out More
Gain a solid understanding of the holistic nature of our environment. Learn how to make decisions that are simultaneously socially, environmentally and financially sound using the Holistic Framework. Learn how to utilise animals as a positive tool to improve environmental health. Create with a Holistic Context for yourself and your business/family. Create a Holistic Financial […]Find out More
2019 is the 30th anniversary of the ParkCare Initiative. What started as a grass roots community program has stood the test of time and now includes over 20 ParkCare groups and encompasses all volunteering with ACT Parks and Conservation Service. In 2017/18 ParkCare volunteers contributed over 30,000 hours of time to the program. To mark […]Find out More
Pasture legumes such as clovers may look healthy above ground – but are they ‘on the job’ below ground – are they fixing nitrogen? Join ACT NRM and South East Local Lands Services for hands on learning that will include:
• the role of legumes such as sub clover in pasture systems
• legume nodulation
• Influence of soil pH and other soil characteristics on nodulation
• how to identify if your nodules are fit and healthy
• how to improve nodulation and nitrogen fixation.
The 2019 State & Territory Landcare Awards – Nominations OpenFind out More
Landcare ACT will be celebrating 30 years of Landcare at the Open Day for the new Holder Wetland.
Come along to this free community event and enjoy a free BBQ, a wetland walk and talk, frog call demo’s and waterwatch activities for the kids!
ACT Rural Landholders – do you need accreditation or re-accreditation in AQF3 Chemical Accreditation? The ACT Government is supporting ACT landholders to undertake SMARTtrain farm chemical user training leading to AQF3 Chemical Accreditation. The training will be held on Friday 3 May (full day) and Saturday 4 May (morning only) 2019. The training covers the […]Find out More
Greening Australia’s Canberra nursery is looking great with thousands of young plants of all shapes, sizes and colours thriving under a full sun and regular watering. Lots of the pots require some thinning however to ensure that they continue to grow vigorously in time for planting season. Thinning is a fun and social activity, and […]Find out More
The National Farmers Federation biennial National Congress returns this year under the theme Diversify. An exciting lineup of global speakers will share their insights on how diverse thinking can shape the farm sector’s future in a range of areas, including: our people; our farms; and our global markets. Visit the Congress website for full program detailsFind out More
Erosion is a problem that many farmers face on their farms, this workshop is about empowering farmers and land managers to find solutions to erosion in your landscape. Participants will have the opportunity to learn techniques for managing erosion including practical low cost methods utilising materials from on site and tips for revegetating. Be prepared […]Find out More


THIS is exactly the kinds of thinking we need to be doing. I’ve said it for a long time that we need to find a way to make fuel out of the things that NO ONE wants and is plentiful. (Kudzu…) Add coffee grounds to the growing list of things that could be a biodiesel source. I know many people use spent coffee grounds as a fertilizer of sorts, but the article reports that they estimate that spent coffee grounds could contribute over 300 million gallons of biodiesel around the world (I assume annually.)
The conversion process taking the oils from the grounds and converting to a biodiesel was cheap, the excess solids can be used as compost and is more stable than traditional biodiesels. Waste coffee grounds contain as much as 20% oil.


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You’ve possibly seen that a research guide which has the ingredients to assist your son or daughter learn about different varieties of vegetation and also the way they squeeze in to the biosphere. However, a chemistry keystone review package can contain info about different types of crops.
That the food we eat each evening comes out of three distinct types of plants: also the seeds, the bushes as well as the blossoms. The vital differences between these three kinds of plants include things like: The grasses include the blossoms that are about the bud family and they comprise the beans, such as lentils, peas and beans. The timber consist of plus they comprise the bushes that grow in trees, for example like pine timber and pine trees.
Then, there would be the seeds. http://www.elenarivera.com/essay-help-online-discover-your-essay-proofed/ Seeds contain numerous unique parts that enter the growth practice.
A lot of the components within the seed could be put together and fed to animals or could possibly be extracted out of the ground, however a few of them can not be used immediately by individuals. Because of the our bodies have to have the ability to break these elements down. These elements would be the nutrients which produce up C, B, vitamins A and E.
Supplements components include vitamins, fiber and plant compounds that behave being an agent in the body’s procedure. Each one these matters can make you healthy and live a very long lifespan. If these factors are not present from the plants they are referred to as alimentatives or even nutritionals.
There are some regions of the vegetable http://www.ledshtech.com/essay-writing-service/ plant life which offer. In reality, one of the most important pieces of the plant is the stem cells, which holds the plant to support its weight up reduction. Youwill realize that many of the segments of the plant contain nourishment Since you become more knowledgeable regarding the parts of the plant.
Each one the different sections of the plant may be divided in to five classes. There are fruits, shoots, flowers, leaves and roots. All these sections of the plant have been typical placed according to the plant’s size and shape.
There are two ways to comprehend the roots of the plantlife. 1 way would be to look at the idea of biological processes inside the plant. The other way is always to look at the types of plant vegetation and consider the organs that they comprise. At the two areas, there are differences between each of different kinds of crops.
For instance, this plant’s origins would be the major region of the main system, and so they carry nutrients, water and all one other biological processes that are important , throughout the roots of the plant. At the same time, the stem is the area of the plant which holds the plant set. When the plant should spread out, the plant’s stems can be twisted to direct the flow of plants.
Every one of those plants present in the plant kingdom’s top degree comprises leaves and the stalks , which carry the other procedures that are major. As the origins of the plant and the stalks are attached with the leaves, the leaves of a plant have been known as a portion of this stem. The roots and this plant’s stems are joined to the plant’s fruits life.
Within each of the types of types of vegetation, there are several biological methods which make up the plant’s arrangement. Naturally, a number of these processes are carried out by rodents and other insects, that exist over the categories of different types of crops. However, they are beneficial in this specific procedure.
Biosphere is also an fundamental region of the learning procedure for kids. You will find a number of science experiments that are dedicated to the biological procedures, therefore your kiddies can learn about these procedures and different regions of the biosphere.


11 organic fertilizer options
Much of the gardeners who decides to start planting their own vegetable aims to escape the industrial fertilizer added to food purchased at fairs and supermarkets.
But how to fertilize the soil and improve plant development without the traditional fertilizers? The report of GLOBO RURAL talked with several urban mints, who told us the methods, techniques, and recipes of organic fertilizers that they apply in their gardens:
One of the main animal friends from the garden, the worms are essential in the formation of a healthy soil, rich in nutrients. In a report in the Green Cities section, we show how the journalist Alex Branco, an urban gardener 35 years ago, set up a small- hole to produce humus and natural liquid biofertilizer.
The earthworm nursery is divided into three floors: in the first, the earthworms mix with the earth and with the remains of plants and leaves; In the second, the compounds deposited by the animals are dammed; The third floor stores the liquid that flows from the first three, used by Branco as a liquid biofertilizer.
The natural fertilizer tip of Cau? Azeredo is a solution based on nettles. He recommends harvesting the leaves of the plant and soaking them in a bucket of water for about a week, away from the sun or exposed to very low or very high temperatures. After seven days, Azeredo explains that it is necessary to remove the leaves from the water and dispense them, storing only the liquid, which can be sprayed weekly on the soil and vegetables in the garden. Finally, he reminds us that it is important not to forget to wear gloves when you collect the nettles!
Do not dispense crab shells, shrimp or lobster when lunch or dinner is over. The recommendation is from Mint S?lvia Salles, who has used shells of crustaceans as fertilizer for her garden for almost five years. She recommends opening a hole that is more than 40 cm deep in the soil and allowing the crustacean remains to remain on the ground for about a month. Then it is possible to remove them from the hole and place them on another piece of soil, repeating the process and obtaining the same results. The composting with crustacean shells benefits the land with a large amount of phosphorus and nitrogen.
Remains of fish
The parts of fish not used in meals, such as tails, heads, and entrails, be used to fertilize the soil, especially those in which plants that need a lot of nitrogen, such as corn and tomato, will be planted. The instructions are the same as for crustaceans: dig a hole with at least 40 cm depth and place the fish remains there, blocking the space and planting on top.
The idea of the mint Adalberto Ferrara is to enjoy everything you can in your home garden, made up of pots made with pet bottles and a fenced-in flowerbed with reused pallets. The fertilizer you use also agrees with and this thought. After brewing coffee, Ferrara disposes of the lees around the plants and seedlings of his garden. In addition to ward off slugs and snails, the coffee grounds are rich in phosphorus , potassium and nitrogen. Another option, according to the mint , is to dilute the remains of the coffee beans and create a liquid fertilizer , which can be sprayed once a day in the garden.
When weeding the yard, do not dispense the cut grass. Collect good handfuls and deal with the earth. In addition to leaving the environment greener, the herbs are a rich source of nitrogen. When it decomposes , the newly cut grass enriches the soil in which it was placed with various nutrients beneficial to the development of any vegetable.
Also known as comfrey or comfrey , the Symphytum officinale is rich in magnesium , potassium , phosphorus , and vitamins and minerals different. Cultivating the herb was the alternative that mint Viviana Frezarinni found to produce her own organic fertilizer . After being harvested, she recommends that the leaves be mixed with water – about half a glass of water per leaf – and left in the sun for one to three days. The water is then drained and the leaves applied directly to the soil.
Another product that goes into the trash, but can turn into an important organic fertilizer, since it is rich in calcium and potassium , is the eggshell . Claudio Poletto has used the technique for about three years and says that the method has drastically increased the resistance of plants and decreased the number of malevolent larvae to the development of plants . He recommends that the houses be washed, crushed into minute grains, and added to the surroundings of each seedling .
Rich in potassium , phosphate and trace elements , the wood ash can be effective in increasing the resistance of plants, as well as combating pests . The tip of the mint Camila Fl?r is to mix the ashes – about a quarter of a cup – with a liter of water and spray in the vegetable garden once a month.
The most common method among urban miners , composting is a mixture of nitrogen-rich food and substance debris such as straw , grass and dry leaves . Mint Fabiana Mendes usually grinds the remains of food and mixes it with the substances already mentioned, adding and mixing everything to earth, before planting a new seedling. The mint Leandro Castelli prefers to put the compost on the soil, not inside it, and said to obtain good results with the method.
Another type of organic abound already widely used by urban miners is the dung of herbivorous animals such as cows , sheep and horses . What many people do not know is that animal waste can not be deposited on the land right away. They need to remain mixed and diluted in the water for at least two weeks, exposed to the sun for most of the day, explains the mint Samantha Kusniaruk, who is also trained in botany . After the time quoted above, you can use the liquid generated in the process to spray on the plants, as well as using the tanned manure to fertilize the soil . If the mint adds manure as soon as it is produced by the animal,


& Sat-Sun 10am-5pm
In 2012 BIG!NYC:
* Diverted 1,200 tons of reuseable building materials from the landfill
* Donated over 57 tons of lumber to community & school gardens. That's 1,200 raised garden beds in NYC!
* Gave away $58,780 worth of materials to local organizations.
5/21 BIG!Compost Volunteer Orientation @ LIC (6:30-8pm). RSVP to email@example.com
5/28 BIG!Workshops: Know Your Tools: Women & Trans Tool 101 @ BIG!NYC Gowanus (6:30-8pm)
6/2 BIG!Workshops: Mosaic What Your Momma Gave You @ BIG!NYC Gowanus (11:30am-1:30pm)
6/8 BIG!Workshops: Scaffolding Lumber Benches with Spark Workshops @ BIG!NYC Gowanus (11:30am-1:30pm)
6/15,22,29 BIG!Workshops: Make Your Own Folding Stool with Mr. Fox @ BIG!NYC Gowanus (3 sessions; 12:30-2pm)
BIG!Blooms Helps Gardens Grow!
Last season, East New York Farms! acquired scaffolding lumber from Build It Green!NYC, via our BIG!Blooms donation program. With the next growing season on the horizon, East New York Farms! has returned to our BIG!Blooms program to pick up more lumber for their community garden.
Dennis, an East New York Farms! urban farmer is featured in the photo above, beside his garden bed. He and his wife sell every Saturday at East New York Farms! summer market. According to Urban Agriculture Coordinator, Deborah Greig, "[Dennis and Marlene] grow wonderful Caribbean crops (scoth bonnet peppers, bitter melon, callaloo, etc). They've been with us at least 11 years." Deborah continues," [they] were able to produce a lot more this season with the help of your lumber!"
If you're local community or school garden is seeking lumber to build raised garden beds, please have them apply for Build It Green!NYC's BIG!Blooms program!
East New York Farmers Market is hosted at 613 New Lots Ave., in Brooklyn, every Saturday July-November.


The Indigenous Food and Medicine Garden is an outdoor space that fosters a welcoming and inclusive community on-campus and promotes Indigenous presence, Indigenous Knowledge exchanges, and community involvement while engaging peoples in growing Indigenous organic and sustainable foods and plants for future generations.
Promote farming practices and teachings of Indigenous peoples of the local region.
Provide experiential educational opportunities for community members, students and staff with respect to Indigenous worldview and customary planting, growing and harvesting techniques.
Offer opportunities to learn about the spiritual significance of plants based on ancient Indigenous customs.
Offer a welcoming green space on campus that engages communities in hands on learning of Indigenous Knowledge. Course development around customary Indigenous planting techniques will be explored.
Give students, staff and community members the opportunity to grow their own food and medicines.
Grow Medicines such as Sage and Tobacco for community members to use for praying and smudging.
Grow vegetables such as corn, beans and squash to be used for an annual feasts and gatherings.
Share Indigenous Knowledge and develop academic partnerships on and off-campus.


J. L. HUDSON, SEEDSMAN, BOX 337, LA HONDA, CALIFORNIA 94020-0337 USA
2017 SEEDLIST - NEW ARRIVALS
How to Request Seeds
Request Form for requests sent by the postal service.
Online Requests for e-mail requests with PayPal payment only.
Don't forget postage and packing!
ARACEAE. Jack-in-the-pulpit-like tuberous perennials with arrowhead-shaped leaves and interesting spathes. Good pot plants or outdoors in mild climates. Best in part shade and rich soil, with plenty of water while growing. Germination of dry seed may be prolonged and irregular, hold pots outdoors several years. I have had best results with seed cleaned out of the berries, and stored moist (never dried). These germinate readily the first season.
—Arum pictum. (25) ARUM-18. Packet: $2.50
10 grams: $15.00, 50 grams: $50.00
Click for photo »
Fresh seed (gathered 7/16) stored moist and refrigerated for rapid germination.
'BLACK CALLA'. Deep velvety reddish purple cowl-like 7" spathes in fall. Deep shiny green 10" arrowhead leaves that are purple-edged when young, creamy-veined later. Corsica and Sardinia. Zone 8. The only fall-blooming Arum.
ARACEAE. Large tuberous perennials somewhat resembling Arisaema, with large curious flowers and odd leaves. Easily grown in rich loamy soil.
—Sauromatum venosum. SAUR-8.
SMALL CORMS (1/4 - 1/2" diameter): 5 for $5.00, 25 for $20.00
Click for photos »
'VOODOO LILY'. Greenish yellow spathes with deep purple markings, 12 - 30" long. Large glossy green fan-like divided leaves. Reaches 4 - 6 feet with age. Indian Himalayas. Hardy to Zone 5. Odd.


If you have three cookies and dinner is five hours away, how slowly should you eat the cookies so that you don’t get dangerously hungry?
This is the kind of calculation that plants do during the night when they are waiting for sunlight to come back on. Here’s a recap from primary school biology: plants generate energy using photosynthesis. During the day they synthesise carbohydrates, such as sugars and starch, from carbon dioxide and water. And they store some of those carbs to feed on while it is dark.
Scientists at the John Innes Centre in the UK have found that plants consume their starch reserves in a cleverer manner than you would expect from an organism that doesn’t have brains. They do this by measuring the starch content in their leaves and the expected time until dawn, and then arithmetically dividing these two to find out how slowly the starch should be consumed. This enables the plants to use up their reserves at a constant rate so that they run out almost precisely at dawn.
“The calculations are precise so that plants prevent starvation but also make the most efficient use of their food,” said metabolical biologist Professor Alison Smith. “If the starch store is used too fast, plants will starve and stop growing during the night. If the store is used too slowly, some of it will be wasted.”
The scientists confirmed that plants are able to adjust their starch consumption rate if night time comes unexpectedly early or late, or if their starch reserves are different than normal due to genetic mutations.
“This is the first concrete example in a fundamental biological process of such a sophisticated arithmetic calculation,” said mathematical modeller Professor Martin.
So, how to these plant mathematics occur within the cell? The researchers turned to mathematical modelling to find this out.
“Since plants are able to adjust the rate of starch degradation according to variations in two independent quantities (the expected time to dawn and the amount of starch present), two separate species of molecule are clearly required,” the authors wrote in the paper published online at eLife.
The researchers hypothesised about these two molecules, marking them S for starch, and T for time. If molecule S stimulates starch consumption while molecule T prevents it, the calculation determining consumption rate is S divided by T. Simple and effective.
“The capacity to perform arithmetic calculation is vital for plant growth and productivity,” professor Smith noted. “Understanding how plants continue to grow in the dark could help unlock new ways to boost crop yield.”
Of course, even mathematically endowed plants are still firmly rooted in the ground, and we probably don’t have to worry about the tiny science hero Arabidopsis thaliana taking over the world any time soon.


“Coming from a poor background, I understand what it means to be needy and not have the means to make ends meet. What motivates me more to work for the service of my community is the desire to change the mindsets and improve the livelihoods of my community members.”
Veranso Benjamen Litika is a field worker from Cameroon. His community is in the Northwest Region of Cameroon and consists mainly of farmers who practice crop production or livestock rearing as their livelihood.
In 2015 he joined the Rural Transformation Center. First as a volunteer and later as a community facilitator. Some of their projects are bee farming, natural medicine, sustainable agriculture, and environmental management projects. One of the main conflicts he faces in his work is to convince farmers to turn away from the abusive use of agrochemicals which they find very difficult.
At ARI, he wants to gain first-hand experience with other cultures, religions, and ways of life. In addition, he wants to gain knowledge on disease control of crops and livestock, from which the farmers back in his community shall benefit.
The mission of the Rural Transformation Center (RTC) – Cameroon is to foster local initiatives of sustainable agricultural production while conserving the natural environment and improving the health and well-being of the community members. Furthermore, through concerted efforts, it promotes values such as sustenance, self-esteem, and freedom. It valorizes indigenous knowledge, resources, and experiences to achieve the mission.


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Brazil Drought Hits Coffee
A drought in Brazil has hit its coffee-growing region hard in recent months, pushing prices up and ruining crops in the world's biggest coffee produci...
May 30, 2014
Brazil's Mobile Lifeline
As northeast Brazil struggles through the worst drought in decades, a team of drivers carry precious cargo to homes without water.
February 14, 2014
Waiting for Rain in Brazil
Farmers in northeast Brazil struggle to survive the worst drought in decades.
February 14, 2014
Coffee Prices Are Going Up
Now may be the time to stock up on your coffee hoard. Prices have surged 66 percent this year thanks to a severe drought in Brazil. WSJ’s Leslie Josep...
May 15, 2014
The Price of Coffee May Be Going Up
Experts say a drought in Brazil is expected to lead to a decline in production and an increase in prices.
April 28, 2014
Will Starbucks' Higher Prices Actually Hav...
Starbucks is set to raise prices on certain beverages and packaged coffee on Tuesday, but the company says it'll affect fewer than 20% of customers.
June 22, 2014
Coffee Prices Double
The caffeine may not be the only jolt you get from your morning coffee -- prices have doubled since last year.
April 25, 2014
Coffee Prices Surge as Brazil Crops Are Hu...
Coffee prices rose over nine percent on Tuesday as traders fear that dry conditions in Brazil could hurt coffee bean production. Brazil is the top cof...
February 19, 2014
Brazil's Northeast Struggles With Drought
Residents in northeastern Brazil struggle to survive as a severe drought kills livestock, scorches crops and leaves lakes dry.
May 08, 2012
Starbucks Raises Prices, Introduces Hand-C...
Starbucks plans to raise prices on some of its coffee products and introduce soda as a new beverage option on June 24th.
June 23, 2014
Brazil Faces Its Worst Drought in Decades
Brazil's northeast struggles with the worst drought in 30 years, prompting authorities to declare a state of emergency.
May 07, 2012
Brazilian Rain Forest Dying Due to Climate...
A drought in the Amazon in Brazil is drying out the Amazon's rivers and making the jungle rife for fire. It is common practice that along the edges of...
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16-63mm Double cavity PVC pipe making machine can produce two pipes at the same time.
Product Application on high speed plastic extruder PVC double pipe making machine
SJPGZ series plastic extruder PVC double pipe extrusion making machine is used for manufacturing PVC pipes on different diameters and thickness ranges which are mainly applied in agricultural and construction water supply and drainage treatment, overhead or underground wires and cables. Due to the special characteristics of the plastic PVC pipes they are widely used in the fields of crude oil transportation, chemical industry which requires high temperature resistance and corrosion resistance, hot and lukewarm water supply, drainage system, and municipal engineering works like buried pipes of high and extra high voltage electricity, protection sleeves and so on.
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International agricultural symposium AGROSYM 2019
by Jozef Polák
On 3. – 6. October 2019 was held in Jahorina (Bosnia and Herzegovina) the 10th International Agricultural Symposium AGROSYM 2019. This symposium presents a platform for international scientific discussion related to agriculture, food, rural development, environment and forestry. This year more than 1000 papers representing 80 countries of the world were presented in areas of plant production, plant protection and food safety, organic agriculture, environment protection and natural resources management, animal husbandry, rural development and agro-economy, and forestry and agroforestry. The theatre contributions were organized into 10 thematic areas and poster sessions.
In the beginning, prof. Ing. Magdaléna Lacko-Bartošová, CSc. presented her contribution on the topic: “Development and perspectives of organic agriculture- production and economic aspect” as a part of plenary lectures. In addition, the Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra was represented within the session Animal Husbandry by scientists and PhD. students from Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding Biology, Department of Animal Husbandry, Department of Animal Nutrition and Department of Veterinary Sciences. During the first part of this session, two papers from KGPB were presented: Genome-wide distribution of autozygosity islands in Slovak Warmblood horse (Ing. Moravčíková) and Genetic diversity and level of admixture in Slovak Spotted cattle (Ing. Lehocká). Within the poster session, the contributions of prof. Radovan Kasarda, prof. Anna Trakovická and Ing. Jozef Bujko were presented. Prof. Kasarda and Ing. Moravčíková were invited to chair Animal Husbandry session.
The Department of Animal Husbandry was represented by doc. Ing. Klára Vavrišínová, CSc., and doc. Mgr. Peter Juhás, PhD., which presented studies from the area of beef quality and pig behaviour under stress. The Department of Animal Nutrition, represented by Ing. Renáta Kolláthová and Ing. Aljoša Janjić, presented the results of their work by two posters. The Department of Veterinary Sciences was represented by Ing. Martina Pšenková, PhD. with a study from the area of the analysis of factors that affect the sheep milk quality.
The results presented during the symposium contribute to the dissemination of knowledge and practice to all actors in the agri-food chain (farmers, extension agents, researchers) as well as to the public about the importance of agriculture and food, one of the most important strategic priorities in many national research programs.


Texas farming could change dramatically pending the outcome of the Nov. 7 Constitutional Amendment Election.
Speaking at the 60th Grimes County Farm Bureau Annual Meeting Oct. 19 in Anderson, associate legislative director in Farm Bureau’s Government Affairs Division, Blake Roach, stressed the importance of passing Proposition 1, aka the Right to Farm.
West Texas-born and East Texas- raised, the Sam Houston State University graduate most recently served as an appointments manager in the Office of Appointments and as a policy advisor in the Budget and Policy Division of the governor’s office where he handled agriculture and natural resource policy matters for Texas Governor Greg Abbott. Before that, Roach worked as an aide in the Texas Governor’s Office and the Texas Attorney General’s Office.
Roach described HJR 126, the Right to Farm, as “one of the biggest issues presented to legislators that they passed.” He also credits passage to Farm Bureau members statewide who talked to their legislators about the issues they face and the importance of right to farm.
Texans’ food security
Explaining Prop 1, Roach said, “This will help normal day-to-day practices that are currently being used by farmers and ranchers in Texas and protect all of our family farms and ranches, large and small. It’s important for a number of reasons. One being that between 1997 and 2017, over 2 million acres of ag land were lost, and by 2043, Texas will add another 13 million people to its population so we’re certainly continuing to grow the state.”
He continued, “It’s important because we have constitutional rights that are here to protect the minority from the majority and this will help small producers that are the least able to fight against the government with a guaranteed protection so the government doesn’t put their operation out of business or come up with regulation that hinders farmers’ ability to produce the goods they produce. It’s important because less than 2% of our population are farmers and ranchers. They are the minority and need to be protected. Protecting farmers and ranchers is also about protecting Texans food security.”
Activists at work
Roach said activist groups like the National Humane Society and the ASCPA have highly organized campaigns and “are trying to dictate how to produce food and fiber and what we eat.”
He continued, “During the legislative session, just as we had our Farm Bureau members, farmers, ranchers and producers in the state capitol speaking about this issue, animal rights organizations were there as well and they were putting out their misinformation.”
Roach cautioned there could be a large voter turnout in urban areas. He said, “Some of the bigger cities and municipalities that are forcing some of these regulations also have some big elections on the same day. It’s really important that not only you, get your family and friends, to speak about this to get everyone out to vote so that we can ensure we have enough votes at the end of the day and our message is resounding and more impactful than some of the big cities around the state.”
Pointing to Missouri, Kansas and neighboring Oklahoma, Roach said, “Don’t take it for granted that this is Texas and it will pass. Oklahoma pushed this and it failed - as rural, conservative and agricultural as it is - because some of the activist organizations got their campaign going and dissuaded all the voters to not vote for the right to farm legislation.”
“Insane” regulations Roach shared examples of city regulatory overreach which included rezoning farmland to exclude ag use, regulating the height of hay fields and pastures as if they were residential lots, a nuisance complaint against a farmer citing dust from harvesting corn, limiting locations where barbed wire can be used, citing a farmer with an ordinance violation for hay left on the ground after harvesting and prohibiting the public mating of livestock. In one case, the city mowed the hay down and then billed the farmer who lost his cash crop.
In the latter case, Roach said, “They require you to build a barn, a no-tell, motel for livestock to mate. Some really insane regulations that some of these cities are enforcing.”
He continued, “The right to farm will guarantee protection that you can continue doing a normal generally accepted ag operation without a city or the state coming up with some burdensome regulation. It will require clear and convincing evidence of imminent danger for them to regulate something and it must prove something will happen, not might happen. It doesn’t prevent a nuisance claim from being filed.”
Prop 1 does not interfere with a state agency or political subdivision’s right to regulate animal abuse, danger to animals or crop product, practices that affect a state’s natural resources and chemical use regulated under federal law. Roach said, “It’s really hard to go against a big city or municipality. Courts have made it impossible to win regulatory takings or to recoup business losses. Small farmers and ranchers can’t afford the time or cost to challenge these regulations. It can put them out of business and operation if they challenge these cases. This will guarantee those protections and require cities to have actual imminent threat of something that will happen for them to regulate it.”
GCFB year in review
President Gary Moriarty recapped activities of the last 12 months which included board attendance at the Texas Farm Bureau State Convention, the Summer Leadership Conference, the annual Policy Development Meeting and the President’s Conference.
GCFB made donations to the county’s volunteer fire departments and food pantries, $10,000-plus to the youth fair and awarded five $1,000 scholarships to Grimes County high school graduates.
Moriarty said, “If we don’t work with our youth, who else is going to take over our farms and ranches? We’re really involved with our youth. If they need something, we always try to help them.”
After approval of the minutes and treasurer’s report, Thomas Sechelski, Hershel Perry and Gary Moriarty were reelected to the GCFB board of directors.
Attendees enjoyed barbecue prepared by Brac and Brice Jones and received door prizes or meat packages.


Agricultural Products Supply Chain Improvement
Client was an industry group that funds initiatives to improve the agricultural products supply chain to benefit farmers and the ag community. We worked with client to identify and study potential opportunities to add capacity and/or lower supply chain costs.
- Developed multiple small initiatives across several years
- Conducted secondary research and primary research to assess the magnitude of inhibitors and options to improve supply chain, including:
- Waterway locks and dams
- Truck unloading
- Rural rail infrastructure
- Rural intermodal terminal
- Potential use of domestic containers for ag shipments
- Worked collaborately with stakeholders including farmers, major Ag companies, carriers, equipment providers, and government agencies
Profiled and quantified the potential impact of various issues/opportunities. Brought stakeholders together to further refine and implement improvement opportunities.


Polyoxins are natural fungicides originating from microorganisms first discovered by Dr. Saburo Suzuki and his team at the Riken in 1963. They are produced by culturing the actinomycete Streptomyces cacaoi var. asoensis isolated from the soil the area around Mt. Aso in Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan. Polyoxins are not a single compound; they are a complex consisting of a series of compounds resembling each other in their chemical structure. Currently, 14 different Polyoxin analogues, Polyoxins A through N, have been discovered. Polyoxins have been sold as horticultural fungicides for over 50 years, and they are still widely used today. Polyoxin AL is effective against a wide range of fungi-related diseases such as mildew, gray mold, and other mold fungi diseases that affect vegetables, flowers, and other plants. Polyoxin D zinc salt was categorized as a bio-pesticide after it was recognized as safe for humans and livestock and being completely derived from natural sources through stringent inspections by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. It is now widely used in the United States to prevent diseases in lawns and flowers as well as in nuts, fruits, and vegetables.
Synthesized at the Sagami Chemical Research Center and developed by KAKEN, Pentoxazone is an oxazolidinedione-type rice herbicide. In 1997, it was registered as an agrochemical in Japan. Since then, it has been used as an herbicide for paddy rice in its initial formulation and in several mixed formulations based on this initial formulation. Pentoxazone is effective mainly on annual weeds in rice paddies, such as barnyard grass, Lindernia, and Monocholia, and is also widely effective on other weeds including Eleocharis kuroguwai, a perennial weed that is difficult to eradicate. Pentoxazone shows high, stable, and residual efficacy particularly on Lindernia and Monocholia, both of which are resistant to sulfonylurea herbicides. The safety of Pentoxazone is high for rice paddies, and therefore it can be used in a variety of ways. Its initial formulation can be used on rice paddies before or after the rice is transplanted, and its one-shot herbicide formulation can be used at the same time as rice planting. There are also formulations approved for flooding and direct seeding in rice paddies. Having extremely low water solubility and high soil absorbability, Pentoxazone hardly flows out to groundwater and rivers. Furthermore, it has low toxicity to humans, animals, and other living forms. For these reasons, it is an environmentally safe herbicide.
Salinomycin sodium is a polyether antibiotic originally discovered by KAKEN in a culture of Streptomyces albus, a strain of Actinomycetes in 1968. Later, it was developed as a feed additive by KAKEN. Salinomycin sodium is currently the most widely used anti-coccidial for chickens in the world, having effectiveness against Clostridium and other gram-positive bacteria. Produced in accordance with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) guidelines, Salinomycin sodium is not only used in Japan but is also exported, thus supporting poultry farmers worldwide.
Colistin sulfate is a polypeptide antibiotic that was discovered in 1950 in a culture of Bacillus colistinus taken from the soil in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan. Colistin sulfate is effective against gram-negative bacteria such as E. coli and salmonella, which are serious pathogens for livestock. Accordingly, there is a great international demand for this product. Therefore, KAKEN also exports this product worldwide.


Summer is the best time to savour island living and spend a day in the country. Along the winding roads of Nanaimo’s Cedar and Yellow Point area you’ll meet cute animals, taste locally grown flavours and pick up unique handmade gifts.
At the other end of the city, you’ll find seasonal produce and more animals to bond with.
There are enough activities to fill a day of country delights.
Start at the Market
If you’re visiting on a Sunday, start your day at the Cedar Farmer’s Market. This market, open mid-May to the end of October has people lining up down the street to enjoy the live music and all things homemade, locally grown, ethically raised and sustainably harvested.
Meet some farmyard friends
Next, head to Yellow Point Farms where you can enjoy a close-up encounter with the adorable baby dwarf goats, babydoll sheep, Kune Kune pigs, mini ponies and chickens. Book a private tour to learn more about the running of the farm and maybe even help feed the baby goats. The roadside farm stand sells delicious blueberries (available frozen out of season too!)
Buzz in to Fredrich’s Honey
Head to Fredrich’s Honey to hear the hum of the bees and see their ‘condo’ hive towers at this farm where the family beekeeping history spans generations and continents. The shop sells honey, salves, lip balms, soaps, and beeswax candles.
Take a break for a bite to eat.
If you’re exploring without children, stop at the Crow and Gate Pub, an olde English-style pub set in stunning gardens. Another great choice for family-friendly eats is the Coco Café where you’ll find a variety of options and friendly service.
Stock up on some locally-grown produce
After lunch, head to Yellow Point Cranberries. One of the suppliers for Ocean Spray cranberry juice, this family farm has a great store where you can pick up jams, dips and treats. In summer, book a tour of the beautiful cranberry fields and hear all about their unique harvesting method.
Just down the road, you’ll find McNab’s Produce Farm and Corn Maze. Stop by the roadside farm stand for fresh veggies on this property that has been farmed by the same family for more than 50 years. Visit the farm animals or, starting in late August, try not to get lost in the corn maze.
Time for more baby animals?
If you have a little more time, head north to Lantzville where you’ll find Superior Farms.
This family-owned farm grows seasonal flowers, veggies and plants. Kids love interacting with the farm’s bunnies and mini animal breeds: cows, horses, pigs and goats while their parents check out some unique offerings in the gift shop.


The impact of concentration and government subsidies on vertical coordination of food supply chain in China
AbstractAlthough vertical coordination of supply chain is a classic topic, with the development of market economy and the increase of uncertainty, smooth and stable supply chain is of great importance on sustainable production and consumption, among which the market and government play an increasingly important role in food supply chain coordination. Taking 93 companies in Shanghai and Shenzhen A-share of food supply chain as examples, this study use "panel Tobit" model and regression to analyze the influence of concentration and government subsidies on the vertical coordination in the food supply chain, as well as the final impact on the enterprise performance. The study finds that the higher the degree of vertical integration, the worse the enterprise performance, and the closer the relationship of interorganizational governance, the better the enterprise performance. The increase of concentration and government subsidies are conducive to the improvement of the close relationship between the interorganizational governance of enterprises. Meanwhile, state-owned enterprises also play an active role in this process. Since it is difficult for enterprises to establish a close cooperative relationship with dispersed upstream agricultural producers, the government can formulate corresponding policies, such as cooperatives, to increase the concentration of agricultural suppliers. In addition, as the concentration cannot be changed in the short term, it is also important for the government to appropriately subsidize enterprises for better vertical coordination of the food supply chain.
Copyright (c) 2024 Transylvanian Review
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.


The Bachelor of Science in agriculture program provides three concentration options:
In addition to the agriculture-specific technical courses, students will take a multiplicity of math and science courses, general agriculture-related courses, and university core courses to develop well-rounded skills and knowledge. This program has a strong applied component where students undergo well-guided and supervised learning experiences in various university labs, the green house, or an experimental farm.
Holders of Bachelor of Science in agriculture with concentrations in either crop production, rangeland management, or animal husbandry after four years of study, will have a wide range of career options in Somalia, including: Agronomists (soil management and crop production), farm managers, agricultural researchers, agricultural instructors/trainers, farm manager, technical consultants, marketing professionals, agribusiness managers, farm and agribusiness owners, etc.
Graduates of this degree might work in government ministries and agencies, international relief and development organizations, private agribusiness and consultancies, food production companies, and research and development organizations. Graduates can also start their own successful business in Agriculture in Somalia where opportunities are ripe for the taking.


Organic Sunflower seeds
Great in sweet and savoury dishes
Cultivated for more than 5000 years and originally used by Native Americans for both food and oil
What are they?
Seeds harvested from organically grown sunflowers
What are the nutritional benefits?
Excellent source of vitamin E, fibre, selenium, vitamin B1, B6 and folate. Good source of essential fatty acids.
Where can I use them?
Wonderful for filling a hole of hunger and giving energy. Mild and nutty. Wonderful addition to breads, cakes, cookies and crackers. Also great in recipes such as tuna and chicken salads. Delicious crunchy substitute for croutons. Yummy toasted which will also help them last longer.
This product has been re-packed in a facility handling products containing gluten, tree nuts, sesame seeds and peanuts. Every effort is made to separate equipment and ingredients during the re-pack process.


Inquire about this photo
"Khruschev's Dilemma, Tashkent," 1961
Gelatin silver print
Stamped in English and Russian on verso
7 3/4 x 11 5/8 inches
Following Khrushchev’s 1959 trip to the United States, where he saw field after field of maturing corn, his enthusiasm for the virgin land project grew. His dilemma: he would have to continue with the project in areas too dry to grow corn, or he would have to abandon the unsuccessful venture. Either way, his reputation would suffer.


Farms in the rural areas of Douglas County and the Kaw Valley produce everything from fruits and veggies to lavender and Christmas trees, and provide authentic experiences for you to enjoy. Meet with the farmers at one of our weekly Farmers Markets or in the fall at the annual Kaw Valley Farm Tour. Get in on the action at a U-Pick Farm, take in the beauty and fragrance of a lavender farm, or enjoy a tasting or live music event at one of our farm wineries.
Douglas County Agritourism Program Participants
- 6 minute read
[metaslider id=5870] Apples so delicious and red, you would swear they're from a fairytale. Asparagus poking out of the ground like an alien plant. Lavender so intoxicating that you'll have a relaxed aromatherapy buzz for days after smelling it. Lawrence's local...


Asare Ropai | Dahi Chura |Asar 15
“Rice Planting Festival in Nepal – 15 Ashadh” This is one of the country’s most important monsoon season festivals which marks the first planting of the staple crop (Rice). “Ashar Pandhra” or the fifteenth of Ashar is the day when the crop planting season officially begins. Farmers all over Nepal celebrate this festival by plowing the field, planting Rice saplings, singing, and dancing. The special food, Dahi- Chiura (yogurt and beaten rice) is eaten to celebrate the festival.


Agriculture in Israel
What is cultivated?
Where are they cultivated?
The orchards are located north-east of the Kinneret
In the Kahal / Maale Gamla / Had Nes Region
Kibbutzim, moshavim, agricultural organizations and private farmers
Erez Kedem’s Orchards
Where are the orchards located?
Erez Kedem’s orchards are spread out in the Galilee and Golan region, in a large expanse between Moshav Kahal that faces the Kinneret from the West,
through the winding road that ascends from the valley reaching Maale Gamla in the Golan up to Had Nes that is almost submerged in the teeming Jordan River waters.
What do the orchards contain?
Hundreds of thousands of square meters of mango orchards of all varieties
Tens of thousands of square meters of established avocado orchards.
Tens of thousands of square meters of citrus fruits – Lime, tangerines and various types of oranges.
The choice fruits that grow in Erez Kedem’s orchards go directly from the tree to the packinghouses and large customers in Israel and globally.
The orchards and nurseries undergo strict inspection and control by the flora protection services which operate within the framework of the Israeli Ministry of Agriculture and they comply with the strict demands and all the relevant international export standards.
Mango – A tropical fruit that is that most Israeli available.
There are hundreds of thousands of square meters of mangos in our orchards,
of the best Israeli varieties – Noa, Sheli, Omer, Tali and David etc.
Apart from eating it as a fruit, the mango is also used as an ingredient in pastries, salads, and desserts.
Orange – the most well-known Israeli fruit in the world.
Of course, it is the most common among the citrus fruits.
We cultivate tens of thousands of square meters of oranges over a variety of species.
The Israeli orange is the most delicious available
The avocado is an evergreen subtropical fruit tree originating in Central America.
We cultivate tens of thousands of square meters of well-established avocado orchards on the Northern slopes of the Golan down to the Kinneret.
Limes also found in our citrus groves.
The lime is a fruit from the citrus family.
The fruit has a dark green to yellow color.
In shape and taste, the lime resembles the lemon, but is sourer and, of course, rich in vitamin C.
Do you want additional details? Contact us by completing the form and we will get back to you as soon as possible.


Like us, Globetrotting for Good (formerly Goodwill Globetrotting) is a small organisation that works with volunteers to make big chances in poor countries. Years ago, we joined forces and help each other out to promote our projects.
In 2015, Globetrotting for Good gave some of their Peru-based affiliated charities the opportunity to present ground level projects through their 'Member Support Program'.
Foundation To Be A Child presented them with two projects on our wish list:
1) The repainting of soup kitchen La Gran Mesa (The Big Table)
2) A new vegetable garden for soup kitchen Nos Da Alegria (The Happiness).
We were so fortunate to receive help from Globetrotting for Good with both projects! Because their globetrotters couldn't make it to Huaraz, they sent a donation to make the repainting of the soup kitchens, and later also the vegetable garden possible.
In the soup kitchen La Gran Mesa in Los Pinos, Huaraz, the paint job was done during the short school holidays when the soup kitchen was closed. This way the painters had all the space to do a good job and the paint could dry well. Keeping our kitchen open on school days is important, so the children don't have to miss out on their only big meal of the day.
The Friday before the painting started, all kids and other visitors of the soup kitchen helped to clean the walls and move furniture to clear out the space. This was all led by project coordinator Elita, whom also contracted the painters, bought the materials needed and checked on the painters while they were working.
When the participants returned after the holidays they were all pleasantly surprised by the result. The soup kitchen looked brand new! There were nice, fresh colors on the walls but they had managed to keep the painting of the cow that some of our volunteers had painted many years back!
Now, the only thing missing was new decorations for on the walls and, after lunch each day, the children worked on this task with a lot of enthusiasm.
For soup kitchen The Happiness the paint is provided by the Sabio Antonio Raimondi school of which it is part. For that reason, we proposed to Globetrotting for Good that the funds would be used for a vegetable garden for instead. The terrain for the vegetable garden was already marked out, but the work hard to wait until an unusually firece rainy season was over. In early 2016, the garden was planted with the help of the kitchen team, the parents and the kids. The seeds grew quick and soon after, in May 2016, the first lettuce was already harvested. The children can now eat fresh vegetables from their own garden and this will help the soup kitchen to save money.
On behalf of all the participants of our soup kitchens and everyone from Foundation To Be A Child: GRACIAS GLOBETROTTING FOR GOOD!
Muchas Gracias Goodwill Globetrotting!! For making all this possible!!


DIVGRASS : Plant Functional DIVersity of GRASSlands
DIVGRASS (2011-2013) is funded by the FRB-CESAB
DIVGRASS aims to integrate and share existing knowledge on plant diversity in French Permanent Grasslands (PG). PG have been traditionally maintained through grazing or cutting and represent a hotspot of biodiversity. PG are under threat worldwide. In France, the area of PG has declined by around 15% over the last two decades.
We will collate and distribute readily analyzable data sets covering the diversity of plant, soil, land use and climate in French PG. Combining these information is required to address key questions in ecosystem and global change science, like:
- how are plant diversity patterns distributed across gradients of land use and climate ?
- how does plant diversity relate to key ecosystem properties such as primary productivity, soil carbon stocks etc. ?
- how does plant functional diversity impact biogeochemical cycling ?
DIVGRASS will demonstrate the potential to address this challenge from the double point of view of data synthesis and of knowledge generation, with PG as a demonstration example. The need to combine heterogeneous data to address questions relevant to DIVGRASS will serve as a basis to identify key steps and breakthroughs necessary to integrate data from various ecological disciplines.
The consortium includes experts in grassland functional ecology, soil science and ecosystem modelling. DIVGRASS will also provide a unique arena for academic and land-use managers to share data and knowledge on PG. We anticipate that the project outcomes will foster emerging networks of excellence in grassland science benefitting from an unprecedented combination of accessible information on PG.
Left: Distribution of Permanent Grasslands in France. Right: Intensively managed grassland in Normandy (top) and extensively managed dry meadow in Southern Massif Central (Causse du Larzac) (Courtesy E. Garnier)


Parker Produce is a small family run farm located in Centerville, UT that specializes in no spray vegetables and fruit. During the Utah harvest season (July-October) we source our heirloom peppers, heirloom tomatoes, grape tomatoes, eggplant, Swiss chard, and later in the season spaghetti squash and onions.
Additionally we occasionally source fruit like plums and cantaloupe for snacks.
Clifford Family Farms
Clifford Family Farms is a small farm in Provo, UT that specializes in Pork, Chicken, and greens.
We source our free range organic eggs and Lard (which they render from their pork)
They can be found at the Downtown Farmers Market every saturday, and they attend the winter market at the Rio Grande in downtown SLC.
Downtown Farmers Market
Pionner Park, SLC
Piioneer Park Farmers Market is the largest farmers market in the state of Utah that runs June-October every year.
We have run a pop-up prepared food vendor stall every Summer where we prepare fresh to-order keto and paleo meals, come down and give our breakfasts a shot!


Agriculture and Craftsmanship
Step into the shoes of local farmers and craftsmen who helped shape the history and culture of rural East Tennessee. Pioneer families sustained their lives on the homestead using large-scale agricultural equipment like plows, a scythe, corn sheller, and cider press. Other featured artifacts can be found in an extensive display of woodworking and cobbler tools from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
This exhibit also details the history of Mayfield Dairy, which was founded in Athens. The Mayfield family has a long history in McMinn County dating back to the 1820s. In 1923, the Mayfields built a pasteurizing plant and began selling milk and cottage cheese. Various artifacts from Mayfield Dairy include bottling machines and milk containers. Young visitors can enjoy the Museum’s hands-on interactive area and experience what life was like on the farm.


Youth who participate in the mobile lab experience will recognize and describe:
- How research animals are protected by research protocol and cared for as teaching animals.
- The human nutritional benefits of beef as a source of complete protein.
- The steps ranchers and livestock producers take from pasture to plate to assure beef is a safe and nutritious food.
- How agricultural lands in Nebraska are suited for livestock production and the benefits of livestock production to the state economy.
Youth who participate in the mobile lab experience will investigate and recognize:
- The science of the rumen animal digestive system and the four compartments of the cow’s stomach.
- The science of plant structure, microfibrils and carbohydrates in cell walls and the role of photosynthesis in carb sequestration.
- The rumen as a fermentation vat and the amount of bacteria, protozoa and fungi in the cow rumen.


Harvesting the fruit of labor
The harvest at Château Quintus began on September 7th. The campaign commenced with the merlot grapes harvested from the young plants, as they are typically the first to reach full maturity. Before the harvest, during the summer, the winegrowers removed the few remaining green grapes before they started ripening, to ensure the homogeneity of the harvest. Moreover, the team did not carry out any leaf-thinning on Quintus’ plots this year. And thankfully so, because this green canopy protected the grapes from this summer’s hot and dry sun.
The strength of Quintus’ terroir
2022 is giving us perfectly mature grapes, in excellent health conditions. Our grape pickers are delivering quite the ideal raw material for making a great vintage. This year in Saint-Emilion was a sunny one with many hot periods and little rainfall, but always at the right time. Audrey Bernard, Vineyard Manager, gives us a few insights about this year’s particulary warm and dry climate and its impact: “The terroir of Quintus was a real asset during this hot, dry year, because it retains some coolness. The vine went to seek water deep down in the soil, which enabled us to have grapes that reached maturity, without any halt during their ripening whatsoever.” The result is a harvest of very concentrated berries with exceptional aromatic qualities.
Perfect homogeneity and maturity in 2022
With more than 30 years of experience in Saint-Emilion, Claude Diligeart, our Cellar Master, is one of the best placed to deliver the first impressions on this year’s crop. With a lovely harvest and perfect ripeness, this year offers much less sorting to do. Claude Diligeart starts tasting the juice as soon as the grapes are put into vats, commenting, “We adapt ourselves to the grapes that we bring in; our winemaking is made-to-measure. We ensure that pumping over is gentler and above all, not as long as in previous years.” Hot years are those of great quality with a lesser harvest quantity indeed, but we always give preference to quality over quantity.
2022, full of promise
2022 is Château Quintus’s 12th vintage and the earliest one at Quintus in the past 10 years. Mariette Veyssière, Estate Manager at Château Quintus, gives her insight on the very promising (future) 2022 vintage. “Saint-Emilion’s terroir was particularly highlighted and valued during this year, with the weather being hot and dry. Plots on the northern slope will undoubtedly bring freshness and elegance to the blend of Quintus 2022. They will certainly come to give balance to the plots on the southern slope, where the grapes were more concentrated and richer in aromas. 2022 seems to be a highly promising vintage, in the same vein as the superb vintages of 2019 and 2020.”


The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Audu Ogbeh was seen at the National Agriculture Seed Council Annual Seed Fair and Farmers’ Field Day performing the symbolic burning of confiscated poor quality seeds.
The Minister spoke at the Annual Seed Fair and Farmers’ Field Day emphasizing the need for high quality seeds for planting in order to enhance good agricultural products.
“This Administration is committed to safeguarding the livelihoods of our farmers. As part of measures to curb the menace of fake seed merchants, we have put in place a Seed law enforcement surveillance mounted by our seed inspectors in all states of the Federation”says Audu Ogbeh.
Speaking at the event, the Minister also described how the quality of seed as paramount to enhancing agricultural productivity in the country as this contributes more than 50% of increased crops production per unit area and is also a critical input in ensuring the efficiency of other agricultural inputs
Audu Ogbeh who chaired this year’s Annual Seed Fair and Farmers’ Day was also given the honor of commissioning The National Agriculture Seed Council Molecular Facility which took place on Thursday 4th October.
The Minister says that if appropriate measures are not taken to replant after the recent flood in the country there might be shortage of rice in the country in the coming years. He said that the flood affected majorly the rice producing states, adding that if this issue is not properly addressed there will definitely be scarcity of rice in Nigeria.
“We have to find out a way to assist farmers, who were affected by the flood; places like Jigawa, Kebbi, Anambra and Kogi were majorly affected. Farmers lost everything they planted.
“There are different varieties of rice that are being produced at NASC like faro 66 and 67 which are flood tolerant.
“We hope to get them into the field in large quantity for farmers to plant in the near future.
“We are also hoping that as soon as the rain seized, we are encouraging farmers to replant so that the residual moisture on the soil plus irrigation can give us another crop by the end of December or early January.
“Otherwise, we will be in serious trouble for rice, millet, sorghum and maize next year,”He said.
The Minster of Agriculture, Audu Ogbeh, also expressed his pleasure for chairing this year’s Annual Seed Fair and Farmers’ Day and for the opening of the Molecular Facility which was the major highlight of the day.
“It is quite heartwarming to note that NASC has over the years kept faith in its drive to ensure the availability of quality seeds to farmers.
Also, this event is being used as a platform for creating awareness among our great farmers and the farming communities to showcase the different improved crop varieties that can enhance the productivity and increase national food security.”
See below more photos from the event:
Also speaking at the event, Philip Ojo, the Director-General of the National Agriculture Seed Council (NASC) said the 2018 event was opened with Road Walk from the Federal Secretariat to the Ministry of Agriculture.
“This was followed by a Symposium. All the events were geared towards creating improved seeds awareness among our great farmers and the farming communities, especially in the Federal Capital Territory.
I wish to state categorically that improved seed use is the most cost effective means of enhancing agricultural productivity.
It is important to inform you all that between the 2017 and 2018, a lot of successes have been achieved in the Nigerian Seed industry.
NASC collaborations with other stakeholders have started yielded positive results such as the NASC Molecular Facility that will soon be inaugurated.
The facility which is funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation under the BASICS Programme will help in the development of the Cassava Seed System in the country and enhance productivity,” he said.
The Director-General, Philip Ojo, also appealed to the state governors to support the agency in order to step up the agency’s regulatory activities to rid the market of fake and adulterated seeds.
The yearly event has the “Enhancing Improved Seed Adoption Towards Achieving Food Security and Wealth Creation.” as its themed for 2018


Sixty-one years ago, Schalk-Willem Joubert left Wellington for the fertile Tradouw Valley to farm mainly with fruit and wine grapes.
His son, Jacobus Joubert, Meyer’s father, realised the potential of growing premium grape cultivars for the production of wine. They delivered Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon to the Co-operative Cellar in Barrydale, Cabernet Franc was planted on the farm in 1982.
In the late 1990’s, had a dream that was born whilst working as a child on the farm and making wine and working in the Napa Valley; they also worked in wine-tourism, which became a reality when an old building on the farm was restored and converted into an ageing maturation cellar. The fermentation cellar was built in 1998 out of stone from the rocky soils, characteristic of the farm. In 1999, the first grapes were harvested and crushed for the production of wine. The R62 Merlot/Cabernet Blend (60:40) was released after a 14-month ageing period in Burgundy oak barrels. The production is currently just below 3000 cases per year.
Meyer Joubert, an award-winning winemaker, studied viticulture at Elsenburg near Stellenbosch in the Western Cape and thereafter in California’s famous Napa Valley for two seasons, before returning to South Africa to make his own wine.


Why Roach Ag?
Roach Ag is offering a free evaluation of our Daily Grain market plan to learn how our system will help your farm pick the best price, if not the crop year high. Take as long as you need to learn our system.
Once you see how we are picking crop year highs and 2nd or 3rd peaks, we believe you'll become a customer.
We will also send you our 2018 crop marketing results and a free trial of our Daily Grain Plan for your evaluation.


Laying out your instant turf is an easy job, but preparation is key.
Spring, Summer and Autumn are always going to be the best times to lay instant lawn but Winter is definitely an option if your situation requires it.
When it comes to your instant turf Adelaide, you’ve got to select the right one. With many different turf types on the market, it can be hard to make the right decision. Take note of the area you wish to cover. Consider daily percentage of sun or shade, soil type, and your budget.
Next, calculate the area of you wish to cover with your instant turf. Followed by area and depth of the soil (we recommend 100mm – 150mm soil depth).
The next step is easy, speak to one of our expert team members to help you get the best lawn possible. We can even offer FREE irrigation designs for our retail customers as well as lawn care products like fertiliser.
If you haven’t already, begin to prepare the area if necessary. Eg excavate existing area, destroy weeds, install irrigation system etc
Get your soil and fertiliser delivered before the day your lawn arrives. This gives you enough time to spread your soil in advance.
To ensure the instant turf lawns quality is maintained after your lawn delivery day, the lawn should be laid as soon as possible. But first, spread your fertiliser. Munns Superstart Seed and Turf Starter Fertiliser is ideal. We always recommend laying on the day of delivery. The quicker the turf is laid, the better the result.
Once you’ve laid your instant turf, you are ready to top dress.
Then you are ready for the first watering which should be carried out immediately. Your new lawn should be soaked with irrigation until soggy underfoot. Then keep moist for 10 days after with watering morning and night.


Happy Earth Day!
Happy Earth Day... a day to celebrate the beauty and wonder of this earth and those who care for and protect it. There are countless people across the world that are stewards for the land, water and air that make up this planet. Everyone has a part to play - whether it be making small everyday choices that are environmentally friendly or being a part of big projects, research, education or other initiatives that contribute to the health and sustainability of our earth.
There is one 'group' of people in particular that I would consider to be earth's original environmentalists... farmers. No matter what commodity they grow or raise, farmers are among some of the world's most environmentally conscious people. The choices we make on our farms certainly do have an affect on the environment, there is no denying that fact, however more often than not farmers make sound and sustainable choices when it comes to raising their livestock or growing their crops in an environmentally responsible manner. Why? you ask. Because not only does it make good practical business sense (healthy land, water and air = more productive, profitable farm) but we as farmers are also as concerned as anybody about protecting this precious planet and the land we farm for future generations.
There is something undeniably strong about the ties farmers feel to their land, and the heritage that is behind it. For many, a farm is not a business venture that one starts in hopes of turning a quick dollar and selling it off to have a sun-drenched retirement in a hot destination. No, for most Canadian farmers a farm and the land that comprises that farm is something that was first purchased by grandparents or great-grandparents, perhaps newly arrived from overseas to start their lives in Canada. After many years of toil those great-grandparents had started a viable farming operation that was passed down one, two, maybe even three generations. Today the farming operation may look very different from what it was in those initial years. The types of livestock raised and crops grown may have changed, management practices may have been adjusted to suit the next generations, and certainly the size of the farm has likely grown. However, the importance of ensuring that farm is there for future generations remains.
I am very proud to know that I personally have family still actively farming on the Nybo Family Farm (my Mom's side) at Hodgeville, Saskatchewan, the Frischke Family Farm (my Dad's side) at Bulyea, Saskatchewan, and where my farming roots are firmly planted on my parents' farm at Sundre, Alberta. Now Colin and I are putting down our own farming roots at Morinville, Alberta on our own piece of land near Colin's parents' farm which has been in the Verbeek family for nearly 100 years.
On our 'new' farm we will take many steps to ensure we consider and protect the environment when raising our cattle and crops. Our first step to ensuring our farm is environmentally sustainable was completing an Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) which helped us to identify our strengths and weaknesses in terms of how our farm affects the environment. We also identified ways in which we could improve our practices and set goals and timelines for those improvements. We have built our barn a great distance from water bodies, to prevent manure runoff from the barn and adjacent pens from entering water bodies. We will also be planting a row of shrubs along the creek riparian area to create a buffer zone and icrease biodiversity along the creek. At present time the creek is not fenced, however we have plans to fence the entire perimeter of the creek that runs from our north to south property lines to prevent cattle from watering at the creek and in doing so damaging the banks and contaminating the water. We plan to potentially utilize a dugout as a source of water for our cattle and horses, however instead of allowing the livestock to walk to the side of the dugout to drink, we will use a solar powered watering system to pump the water from the dugout to the livestock, thus preventing bank erosion and water contamination. We hope to cross-fence the cattle pastures in a manner that will allow for effective rotational grazing with sufficient rest periods for each pasture prior to grazing. This will both be beneficial and healthy for our pastures as well as helping us to extend our grazing season. We also plan to continually move our winter feeding site in order to maximize manure coverage over the entire field in which the cows are wintered in. Finally, our big project (besides fencing) for this spring/summer is planting a couple hundred trees (and keeping them watered!) that will serve as a shelterbelt around our property and increase the biodiversity on our currently fairly untreed piece. As an aside, this Sundre girl (from the land of trees, hills and mountains) is having a hard time coping with the downright exposure I feel as the wind blows and I can see all our neighbours on our rather flat, treeless peice of land. But that's a post for another day. Let's hope our trees grow fast!
There is so much one can say about this topic, but in closing I just want to make a simple comment on how I personally sum up the role farmer's play in protecting the earth.
Farmers are the earth's original environmentalists. We love the land on which we live, make our living from, and want to protect for future generations.


Guest Post, by Justin Rivard, Head Brewer, Peter B’s Brewpub
A Day at the Hopyard – From Farm to Mug
I recently had the opportunity to spend the day touring Akiyama Hopyard in Watsonville, California (just north of Monterey). Established this year, Akiyama Hopyard’s goal is to provide local breweries the opportunity to participate in the harvest season and brew harvest ales.
Hops growing at Akiyama Hopyard in Watsonville, CA.
After 40 years as a carnation nursery, The Akiyama family reopened this past year as Akiyama Hopyard, after extensive hop growing research through UC Davis. The hopyard is run by Sam Akiyama, his father Ben and his grandfather Sam. Even at the age of 85, Sam senior played an integral role in establishing the hopyard, providing guidance as they planted their first 150 plants on the first ¼ acre. Hop varieties include Centennial, Columbus, Chinook, Sterling, and Cascade among others. This year, they produced over 250 pounds of fresh hops. Future plans include developing another ¼ acre and are in the process of having dried hops for breweries and home brewers.
Trimming hops in the Akiyama Hopyard warehouse.
Of those 250 pounds, I selected 63 pounds of fresh, Cascade hops for Peter B’s our upcoming Harvest Ale. As we have been brewing our Harvest Ale, the scent of fruity pebbles has filled the brewery. We utilized our brand new 1 BBL hopback, which functions essentially as a giant French press, infusing the beer a delicate earthy and citrusy flavor, typical of cascade. In addition to the 63 pounds we dry-hopped another 20 pounds of whole leaf cascade in the Serving tank, for additional hop flavor and added complexity.
Justin, and the team from Akiyama sorting hops!
Harvest Ale and hops inside Peter B’s Brewpub.
Come out to Peter B’s Brewpub and try the new Harvest Ale while supplies last.


In 2001, only 7% of U.S. corn went for ethanol, or about 707 million bushels. By 2010, the ethanol share was 39.4%, or nearly five billion bushels out of total U.S. production of 12.45 billion bushels. Four of every 10 rows of corn now go to produce fuel for American cars or trucks, not food or feed.
All of this for no net environmental benefit. Even Al Gore has admitted that he championed ethanol subsidies to get votes from farmers, not because ethanol really benefited the environment.
As the Wall Street Journal piece concludes:
Now if the demand for corn increases because more people are subsidized for producing ethanol, the price of corn will increase. Higher corn prices will raise costs of producing other goods like beef or tortillas that require corn as a factor of production. It would be one thing if ethanol was the use for corn people valued the most. Because this use is driving by subsidies, however, we know this is not the case.
At a time when the world will need more corn and grains, it makes no sense to devote scarce farmland to make a fuel that exists only because of taxpayer subsidies and mandates. If food supplies tighten and prices keep rising, such a policy will soon become immoral.


This year was the first year I tried my hand at a little garden. I’ve had a flower garden for a few years. It was a disaster by the end of summer. So I wasn’t sure if I was ready. I always plant my flowers around May Long. This year, May wasn’t at all an enjoyable month. We had just lost our son, Ezra at 16 weeks gestation. You can read about it more HERE. I had no intention of doing anything. No flowers, no veggies, nothing. But my family urged me to do it. They made it this whole big family thing. My son had a blast helping and he’s been the biggest helper with it all summer. I’m going to share with you my gardening beginners’ tips!
I did my usual flower beds out front. And this year we did herbs, veggies, and a sweet little garden for the boys, Mal and Ezra’s, with Ezra’s birth month flower and some roses. And Mal’s purple flowers that he loves.
Okay, so since I am a total beginner at this I’ll share my beginners’ info with any of you beginner out there.
I got most of my plants from various garden centers. Home Depot and Walmart was my favorite!
List of Veggies/Herbs – low maintenance (kind of), easy to grow:
They all survived (mostly), there was a lawnmower accident with one of my zucchinis. We got a good harvest from them. I replanted more carrots mid to the end of June. They are still growing as I type this. But I have slacked with my watering so they aren’t growing that well. Anywho I’d say for my first time out it went really well.
So Tips for Gardening Beginners’.
Don’t bite more than you can chew. So to speak.
If you’ve never tried gardening (like me before this summer), don’t try too much at once. Unless you’ve got help. I got overwhelmed at times and just didn’t want to deal with weeding, and watering and picking when you’re supposed to. Covering them if there’s a chance of frost. It can be a lot so start small. Next year I’m planning great things.
Start earlier – inside
Next year I’m totally doing this. Starting my squash, carrots, and lettuce inside for sure. I’ll see what else I do. You’ll get an early harvest, and you might even get more out of the season.
Don’t let veggies or herbs flower.
If it gets to that point, you’ll lose the rest of the summer for more growth. I did that with my basil. Now it’s just a pretty plant.
Don’t give up. We got this really hot week at the end of July and I didn’t go outside as much because the bugs were horrendous and the heat obviously. So when they needed water the most, I gave up. This one kind of ties into all of it. Do what you can handle and what you have time for.
My flower garden is always my favorite. It adds pretty colors to my front yard and this year it was a nice addition to our backyard.
- And a few others my mother-in-law gave me that I don’t know the name
Next year I want to add lavender and tulips maybe.
I only have two tips for flower gardens.
Weeding every day – if you let it get too bad it’ll take too long to get rid of them and then you’ll give up. At least I know that is what happened to me.
Get ever-growing flowers (ones where you deadhead them and they keep coming.) or ones that you cut and they’ll keep growing. Dahlias and Gerbera can be cut and brought inside and the plant will keep producing. Irises grow, die and that’s that. And it’s fast. Everything else if I kept up with taking off the dead flowers it’d grow more.
Those are all my great beginners’ tips for gardening. I hope it helps. I’m no expert and this is solely on my experience this year. I’d love to hear your tips and suggestions! Leave them in the comments below.


Akpotosu, Bethel Worlah*
University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana (email@example.com)
University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana (firstname.lastname@example.org)
University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana (email@example.com)
Internet has been introduced by Ministry of Food and Agriculture to improve extension delivery in Ghana. However the extent to which extension agents have acquired the knowledge and skills to use it was not known in Eastern Region. The study looked at the determinants of Agricultural Extension Agents (AEAs) Internet competencies in the Eastern Region of Ghana. The study used descriptive survey design, stratified proportional sampling technique and validated questionnaire to collect data from 217 AEAs in ten districts of Eastern Region. Statistical tools such as frequencies, percentages, means, standard deviation, appropriate correlation coefficients were generated to describe or identify relationships among variables of the study. The study revealed that age, educational level, marital status, rank, location, years of experience, monthly salary, duration of use, years of using Internet, and training of AEAs relate significantly to Internet competencies of AEAs. The best predictors of Internet competencies of AEAs were training, location, duration of use, age and educational level.
Keywords: internet; extension delivery; competencies; training; location


Chateau Haut-Blanville Aoc
Alcohol content : 13.5 % by Vol.
Content : 750 ML
Product by :HAUT BLANVILLE
Product of France
Tasting notes :
Grapes Varieties （葡萄品种）
20% Syrah (西拉20 %),
20% Grenache (歌海娜20 %),
30% Mourvèdre (墓合怀特30 %),
10% Carignan (佳丽酿10 %).
20% Cinsaut (神索20 %),
70 000 bt / year平均3200升/公顷
Chateau Rieutort是一处有300年历史的葡萄庄园，位于Saint Pargoire(法国朗格多克)，紧靠在Pezenas和Herault河。
每瓶750ml /eavy Style Bottle 750 ml
每箱6瓶 / Card boxes by 6 bottles(原庄彩色6只装纸箱)
Lot Number :3 590410 000099
Château Haut-Blanville is a brand of Blanville, a 65 hectares wine estate created by Béatrice and Bernard Nivollet, including 47 hectares of vines and producing around 170,000 bottles of great "appellation contrôlée" (AOC) and "vin de pays" (VDP) Terroir wines (with an average yield of less than 35 hectoliters per hectare) Out of this production, 70,000 bottles are part of the Château Haut-Blanville Wine list.
A 300 years old vine estate.
Château Rieutort is a 300 vears old wine estate located in Saint Pargoire (Languedoc - France), close to Pézenas and along the Hérault River. In 1997 Béatrice & Bernard Nivollet bought the winery and completely refurbished it, while they restructured the vineyard.
Key features about Blanville
3 vineyards totalling 47 hectares on 3 différent Terroirs : LES PEYRALS, RIEUTORT and LES CHARMES.
- Les Peyrals (AOC), located among the Mediterranean shrubs on a plateau overlooking the sea and the Etang de Thau, at an altitude of 100 meters, made of dry limestone and red glacial soils, very stony and well-drained, in the heart of a surrounding garrigues.
- Les Charmes (AOC), located at an altitude of 80 meters on a hill overlooking the Cévennes mountains, made of gravels soils, in the midst of green oaks, cistes, thymand and sariette.
- Rieutort (V'DP), located downhill the Mediterranean shrubs, close to the Hérault River and overlooking the Parc du Haut-Languedoc, made of sandy and profound soils, with grass planted between the wine ranks.
The cultivation standards implemented are based upon the "lutte raisonnée" principles, an ecological approach to cultivation best of breed of ancestral and modern and scientific methods. At the core of the approach is a permanent and very careful observation of the vineyard condition, to avoid any needless treatment, coupled with the use of natural ingredients to preserve the characteristics of the soils and terroirs.
All the necessary actions to control the yields and insure the best maturation of the grapes are implemented along the year : severe cut, heavy pruning, high trellising with twin, wires, topping, thinning out the leaves, climination of the grapes formed from the second flowering.
The vinification is donc on a parcel by parcel basis. The duration of the maceration process, generally long, is carefully monitored based on the characteristics of the grapes and varies according to the vintage and to the type of grape.
The wines are aged in French oak barrels, with a good balance between new and old and new barrels, which again is différent from one type of grape to another one. The ageing in barrels lasts from 9 to 18 months, depending on the grape and parcel. At the end of this phase, the juices are blended to create the wines, and aged for another 2 to 6 months in tank. This allows for a perfect and natural decantation of the wine, so that the vines bottled are not filtered, thus preserving their aromatic power and body. The wine is generally aged for another 3 months in bottles before being marketed.


I have been wanting to see what is on the other side of this gate for almost 20 years.
It seems almost magical to find a walled garden here on the island of Canna, a long and often bumpy boat journey from mainland sources of vegetable seeds and flowering plants. For two weeks one summer, we passed the gate every day walking from the holiday house high on the hillside down to the shore and every day I tried to peek through the gaps but it wasn’t until this year that I finally got into the secret garden.
Well, that’s not strictly true. In the 1980s on our way down the woodland path we caught glimpses of old fruit trees and chickens scratching in the vegetable patch on the other side of the wall. In those days the Campbells still lived in the house though they had already bequeathed the island to the National Trust for Scotland.
By last year, on our first visit for many years, they had both died and the garden was so overgrown that a party of NTS volunteers was hacking through brambles and raspberry canes, uncovering the ghost of a pebble path while bonfires burned on the lawn in front of Canna House.
But last week, Ray and I saw the garden returning to life. Neil Baker is on a two year contract to restore the garden and his plan is to grow fruit and vegetables for islanders and visitors as Margaret Fay Shaw used to do – and flowers and berries for birds, bees and butterflies just like John Lorne Campbell.
You can tell a lot about people from the plants they grow. The garden was already here when Margaret and John bought Canna in 1938. Margaret’s first order, sent in February 1939, was for a fairly modest batch of alyssum and lobelia bedding plants, but very soon there were more ambitious orders for vegetables (artichokes and squashes as well as peas and beans), espalier fruit trees, all kinds of herbs (including basil for goodness sake), shrubs, herbaceous plants and many roses. “I have just found Canna on the map,” one supplier scrawled on the invoice, “I am afraid the roses are unlikely to thrive.”
That was a long time ago. Last week, Neil took a break from cutting grass in the shelter belt to walk us round the garden that he is reviving with great care and sensitivity. In just six months he has reclaimed lawns, uncovered the drying green, cleared paths, coaxed an impressive harvest of veg from the newly weeded kitchen garden (unlike the rest of Scotland Canna has had a summer!) and unearthed a hoard of old ceramic rope tiles which he has been told would fetch a fortune on eBay.
Next year he will tackle the old trees in the orchard and bring back colour to herbaceous borders on either side of the drive from the front gate. He also has an eye on reviving the rose bed stocked by Margaret over the course of more than 40 years. I expect Margaret (she died in 2004) got a lot of satisfaction out of proving that first nursery wrong.
It’s a fantastic project and I hope we get the chance to go back again next year to see how Neil is getting on. I like the feeling that in his care the garden gate still promises something magical on the other side.


Proven Solutions to Improve Soil and Plant Health
Research & Articles
Guide to Selecting Organic Matter Inputs – Read our Guide to Selecting Organic Matter Inputs by our own John Olivas.
Humates in Agriculture by Michael Karr, Ph.D. on the various beneficial effects of humic acid on soil and plant growth.
Nitrogen Sources for Organic Vegetable Crops by Gaskill and Smith includes discussion of the importance of the carbon to nitrogen ratio (C:N) in the ability of the plants to uptake nitrogen and describes how microorganisms convert nutrients into a bioavailable form for plants.
BioSci Humates – Frequently Asked Questions surrounding Humates, where they’re sourced, and what they’ll do for your crop and soil.


Growing with Nature in Mind
‘Organic’ has become something of a buzzword over the last few years, particularly with regard to food growing. Buying ‘Organic’ is seen as nothing more than a fashionable trend encouraged by producers who just want to charge higher prices. In fact consumers who can choose to buy organic actually support the production of goods which are not treated with chemicals or contain artificial inputs. However it can easily be argued that this ‘trend’ is simply the re emergence of the traditional way of farming, growing and manufacturing goods.
Many small scale growers are trying to act in a more environmentally responsible manner by employing sustainable principles and practices throughout the whole process of growing and selling their goods. At its heart, organic growing is the care and protection of the soil and of the diversity of creatures which work together to maintain a healthy ecosystem.
Ducks & Daffodils is based at Goodness Farm, a vegetable grower who has Soil Association certified Organic status. This means that organic principles must be followed in order for the farm as a whole to keep this status. Where possible organic seed and stock plants are purchased but the range of suitable varieties is limited at present. When a particular type of flower is not available from organic sources we apply for a derogation, allowing the non-organic product to be introduced.
At Ducks & Daffodils we do not use any chemical sprays, fertilizers or growth enhancers. We do not use growing media containing peat. We try to use recycled and/or biodegradeable packaging. It goes without saying that we compost as much as possible, and that we try to encourage friendly wildlife of all kinds to maintain a balance of biodiversity. Plants are fed with organic compounds such as seaweed, nettle and comfrey. Weeds are painstakingly removed by hand, not by herbicides. Potting compost is organic peat free coir based: we use Fertile Fibre seed and potting mixes. Along with flowers for cutting we grow insect friendly poached egg plant, Californian poppy, borage, comfrey and phacelia. Flowers for sale are wrapped in unbleached paper, tied with natural raffia or twine. Organic growing can be hard work and challenging at times but we believe it is the only way to grow responsibly.
Our land is on a Soil Association certified farm so we don’t just pay lip service to the organic idea, we are bound to do as much as we can to uphold Soil Association principles.


Compiled by the U.S. National Agricultural Library (NAL), this comprehensive source of bibliographic information consists of over 2.5 million citations to journal articles, monographs, theses, patents, software, audio-visual materials, and technical reports. The records describe publications and resources encompassing all aspects of agriculture and allied disciplines including plant and animal sciences, forestry, entomology, soil and water resources, agricultural economics, agricultural engineering, agricultural products, alternative farming practices, and food and nutrition. Auxiliary subjects that support NAL's Information Center activities, such as agricultural trade and marketing, rural information, and animal welfare are also included in the database. Coverage for AGRICOLA dates back to 1970. Provided by UT Southwestern and TexShare.


There are medicinal application of the custard apple tree. Leaves "which have a fetid odour when bruised, are applied for extraction of guinea -worm, and when reduced to powder, are used to kill lice on cattle. Bruised leaves are used for destroying worms bred in sores.
Sugar Apple is an excellent tub or container plant for indoors and patio, with an added bonus of being rewarded with edible fruits. High in calories with nutritional value, its fruit is usually eaten fresh out of hand (just savour the fabulous sweet flesh by the mouthful and spit out the inedible seeds).
The thick juicy and creamy pulp, after being separated from the seeds can be used to make delicious milkshakes, ice-creams and sherbet.Besides, the Sugar Apple tree not only serves as a host for lac-excreting insects and caterpillars of some butterfly species, but even its seeds, leaves, bark and roots have many uses. Its seeds, though acrid and toxic, can be grounded into a paste and applied to hair to get rid of lice.
However, it must be kept away from the eyes as it is highly irritant and can cause blindness. And, its leaves have medicinal uses - in India, the crushed leaves are sniffed to overcome hysteria and fainting spells, and leaf decoction is used for treatment of ulcer, wound, dysentery and other ailments