For over 500 years, Agriculture in Cameroon and Africa has yet to see and feel a change. While countries like Holland, Israel and Finland are making remarkable advancements in their pursuits towards sustainability in agriculture.
So, while Cameroonian farmers still trek long distances for farming and incure losses from undesirable farm to market roads, somewhere in Isreal, most farmers are reaping the benefits of greenhouse farms and sustainable agriculture.
Greenhouse farms were never popular in Cameroon until they were introduced by Greenhouse Ventures in 2014. The company remains, till date, the sole developer and marketer of the affordable greenhouse technology. They are also into the cultivation of several vegetables, seeds and even organic manure using the biogas.
Since the company’s inception, they continue to expand their footprints into several regions of Cameroon and very recently, they are about to launch the “100 Greenhouse Farms Campaign”.
“The goal of the campaign is to introduce these greenhouse farms into several Cameroonian communities thereby engaging multiple growers for target markets,” Roland Fomundam, the company’s CEO explains to us.
Most importantly, the company is using a network marketing model to introduce its greenhouses into several communities by enabling participants to earn commissions from making referrals for any acquisition.
For more information on this, visit


On the 6th of August a study tour to a combined ethanol, biogas and CHP facility in Piaszczyna took place. The facility is highly integrated. Ethanol is made of corn and the residues are digested in two anaerobic digestors. The biogas is used for electricity production and to provide heat for the destillation process as well as for drying and heating the digestors which operate at approx. 40 °C. Process water is to be cleaned in an algae cultivation in order to close the water loop and provide additional substrate to the anaerobic digestors. Finally the digestate is dried and used as a fertilizer. In this way the nutrients and water loop are closed and the facility produces no waste streams at the same time as a high energy efficiency is obtained.
Dr. Jörgen Held, Prof. Michal Jasiulewicz and B.Eng. Jerzy Kolodziej, Technology Manager at the facility, in front of the digestate dryer.
The biogas is used for CHP production in two Jenbacher gas engines.


20 Feet Container, Box, Pallet, Resale
Occidens O.3 – Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil – 240 ml
The production of olive oil started long ago in the Middle East and the Romans were the first to bring the olive tree into the Iberian Peninsula “Hispanya”. Olive oil is the only natural oil used in cooking that is not subject to any form of chemical transformation.
Some of the olive trees in Portugal are close to 800 years old and in the most western country of Europe, where the sun sets, time has a special flavour.
Our production processes are completely natural. We comply with all relevant standards and are certified by the EU as a producer and seller of Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Our olives grow in the Vila Flor & Douro region which is internationally renowned as having one of the best soils in the world to cultivate high quality extra virgin olive oils.
Unit Qty: 240 ml
Units per Boxes: 12
Boxes per Pallet: 70
Pallets Per 20″ Container: 22
Shelf Life: 36 Month


By Ellalyn De Vera-Ruiz, Clarisa Luci-Atienza, Samuel Medenilla, and Franco Regala
Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol has banned the shipment of fowls from Luzon to other parts of the country to prevent the further spread of bird flu.
However, Piñol clarified that the transhipment of chicken, hatching eggs and other fowls through the Manila airport to other parts of the country will be allowed, provided that stringent quarantine protocols are observed.
Chicken brought in from the United States intended for shipment to the Visayas or Mindanao may not be taken out of the boxes and must be loaded directly into the connecting flights, he added.
The government is preparing to bury about 200,000 chicken, ducks, quails, pigeons and fighting roosters to stop the spread of bird flu virus.
Piñol said the Bureau of Animal Industry has declared a quarantine zone within a one-kilometer radius of the farms where the outbreak was confirmed.
Another seven-kilometer radius has been declared as controlled zone where no fowls, eggs or other products could be brought out.
“About 100 quarantine officers have set up stations on all roads from San Luis (Pampanga) backed up by officials of the provincial government and the Philippine National Police,” Piñol said.
He also assured that all vehicles coming out of the area will be sprayed with disinfectants to ensure the containment of the virus.
After all the birds in the San Luis area have been culled, quarantine officers will disinfect all the six farms where the outbreak occurred.
He explained that after 21 days, sentinel birds will be deployed in the affected farms to serve as the basis in determining whether the virus is still present in the area.
If the sentinel birds will not show signs of the disease, the quarantine restrictions will be lifted after 90 days, he said.


Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Zimbabwe to the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus Visited AMKODOR
On 20 March 2018, Mr. Mike Nicholas Sango, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Zimbabwe to the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus visited the JSC AMKODOR, holding managing company.
The distinguished guest inspected product samples of the holding enterprises at the permanent exhibition situated at the Udarnik plant in Minsk. Talks with the heads of the holding followed the exhibition.
As previously reported, according to the order of the Chief of the State, Victor Sheiman, the Head of the Department of Presidential Affairs visited the Republic of Zimbabwe in March of the current year. During the visit, the prospects for expanding economic cooperation of Belarus with the states of African continent were discussed. Meaningful and fruitful talks were held with Emmerson Mnangagwa, the President of Zimbabwe, as well as with the First Vice-President, Minister of Mining and Development of Extractive Industry, Chairman of the Reserve Bank, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Agriculture, Transport and Infrastructure Development, Higher Education, Development of Science and Technologies. Agreements were reached and contracts worth about USD 58 mln. were signed, including supply contracts worth USD 43 mln. of Belarusian tractors and supply contracts worth USD 15 mln. of forestry machines. The issue on establishment of assembly production of Belarusian agricultural and mining machines was also discussed.
Mr. Mike Nicholas Sango visited the JSC AMKODOR, holding managing company, to get acquainted with activities of the enterprise and its opportunities to comply with the agreements reached at the international level, as well as to establish personal contacts with the heads of the AMKODOR holding.
During the talks of the Distinguished Guest with A. Shakutin, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the JSC AMKODOR, holding managing company, the parties declared that all the agreements reached before, as well as all further activities and business ventures would be focused exclusively on achieving favorable results to the benefit of both countries.


Eicher Tractors is one of’s biggest tractor manufacturing brands. The company is always passionate about delivering excellent engines, high-quality development, and various unique characteristics that assist you in selecting the best Eicher tractor model for agriculture.
Eicher is a very well tractor name that comes from the TAFE company, which is known for producing high-quality products. Eicher Tractors was founded in 1936 by Josef Eicher and Elbert Eicher. The first Eicher tractor was introduced to the market in 1937, and since then, the Eicher Tractor has won the hearts of millions of Indians.
TractorGuru provides detailed information about the Eicher tractor model which you can use to start making your next tractor purchase. You can easily find all of the new model Eicher tractor prices in India in one place.


Hop nature trail through the middle of the hop garden.
In Kartause Ittingen, two hop varieties grow on a cultivation area of 1.8 ha, the aroma hop varieties Hallertauer Tradition and Perle. The entire yield is used for Ittingen Amber beer.
The hop garden is located to the west of the monastery grounds directly next to the car park. In 1982, the Kartause Ittingen Foundation, together with the Actienbrauerei Frauenfeld, developed the "Original Ittinger Klosterbräu" for serving at Kartause Ittingen and in the region. With the support of Heineken Switzerland, the nationwide success story of this popular premium beer began, which is now successfully distributed throughout Switzerland in the retail trade and gastronomy.
Ittingen Amber beer was never brewed in Kartause Ittingen. Initially brewed at the Actienbrauerei Frauenfeld, it is now brewed in Lucerne - with 100% hops from Kartause Ittingen.


Currently our herd consists of about 50 milking does. These goats are crosses between Nubian, Sable Saanen, and LaMancha breeds, each of which contributes to the high quality of our milk. Nubians produce milk that is high in protein and butterfat, and Saanens are known for high volume as well as quality milk.
The girls are taken out to pasture each morning after milking, unless rain is falling (one of the few things goats dislike!), and are allowed to spend the next eight hours grazing the diverse grasses and legumes and getting vital exercise and sunlight. We have developed a rotational grazing system that provides fresh pasture every day throughout the year. We are continually improving the quality of these pastures through such practices as overseeding legumes, spreading whey (a cheese making byproduct), occasional burning, and carefully avoiding overgrazing.
We supplement the goats’ pasture with high quality alfalfa and hay, and feed a mixed grain ration during milking. In addition, we make sure they have plenty of space and clean, fresh bedding in the barn. We also send monthly milk samples to the State of Missouri Milk Board for testing. Proper care of our animals is a very high priority at Goatsbeard Farm, for we know healthy goats produce milk that will make the best cheese possible.
During the period when the girls are lactating (March through December), they are milked twice daily, and generously produce for us an average of one gallon per goat each day. This is the milk from which all of our cheeses are made. We are a seasonal dairy, which means we adhere to the natural breeding, gestational and birthing cycle of the goats. We do not push them to make milk past their normal 10 month cycle. Thus, January and February are “dry months,” giving the goats a rest before they kid. Our goats work hard, and we feel this is a well-deserved break. Each spring Ken and Jenn choose about 10 of the best kids to become new milkers the next year. Thus the size of the herd is still growing slowly, while the quality is continually improving.
Goats are very intelligent animals—keenly interested in their environment, their daily routine and the people who handle them. We truly enjoy working with them, and consider it an honor to be their caretakers.


Before we arrived home from our eighteen months spent traveling, volunteering and just generally having a whale of a time overseas, I was super enthused about turning our backyard into a mammoth vegie garden upon our return. This was because I had spent most of my time gardening in the tropics, where if you want things to grow, you just have to show them some dirt and overnight they will have sprouted to knee-height.
Then we got home and I saw the empty, dry dirt and I felt overwhelmed despair overtaking my previous enthusiasm. I didn’t know what I was doing!! How do I know when to plant things? What do I do if they don’t grow? When do you plant/cut back/prune/prepare?? So many questions I had. I felt like it was an impossible task and I all but gave up. But I didn’t and we planted some things. Then when they didn’t take off and become humongous immediately I all but gave up again. Now I have calmed down a little; relaxed my gardening style a bit. Now I know if something doesn’t work it’s just because it wasn’t planted at the right time, in the right place, in the right way… There are a lot of variables, but we are slowly building up the gardening knowledge database in our brains. And finding the funny side to our tiny thimble sized onions, our pathetic summer’s harvest of three strawberries.
So to make things a little easier for other people who want a killer garden but have never owned gardening gloves before, here is a list of things you should definitely grow… They will stave off despair when other less hardy and obliging plants don’t cooperate.
Zucchini! The king of the garden/burden of summer’s end, depending on who you talk to. Zucchini will grow, and it will grow well. By the end of the zucchini plant’s time you will never want to see another one ever in your life. At least until next season, when you get excited all over again about how prolific your zucchini plants are and how awesome you are as a gardener, and in general as a human. So buy a few seedlings and wait to have your fridge taken over by a mountain of dark green curves. (plant toward the end of spring, beginning of summer)
Bok choi, pak choi… Anything choi. This is a winner of a plant species. It’s uber-delicious, makes stir fries better than whatever you imagined they were before, and grows like mad. It’s one of those plants that looks like it grows inches overnight- I’m convinced, in fact, that it does grow inches overnight. I am going to have a everlasting stock of ‘choi’ seeds in my seed tin from now on. Woo, stir fries! (plant anytime that is not cold cold winter)
Mint/dill/parsley. These herbs grow, without you really having to do anything at all. Just plant them, keep them alive long enough for them to spread, let them go to seed eventually and BAM! Herbs for life. (plant pretty much anytime)
Beans. Oh beans, what fantastic garden-y friends. So hilarious with their little tendrils, always on the look-out for something to climb. Then so exciting to watch, the inches climbed overnight. Beans and peas actually, this family will never let you down. They want to grow so badly that all you have to do is buy pea straw, spread it around your other plants as mulch and watch as pea pods appear, as if from nowhere. I totes understand why Jack swapped that cow. (plant at the end of summer, beginning of autumn)
Okay. There you go. These are the plants that will keep you going when your capsicum refuses to grow, when your seedlings get eaten by every single bug or don’t even sprout in the first place, when things get frizzled by the sun before they have time to grow. These are the plants that will be there for you. So grab some seeds and gloves and compile a big old list of zucchini and bean recipes. You’ll need it.


Cows are the ‘processing plants’ for milk production on a dairy farm. For economic milk production you need your cows to produce as efficient as possible for as long as possible.
The longer a cow can produce milk, the cheaper is the cost for your cow. You can calculate the effect of the length of the productive life of a cows on their cost with the Cow Cost Calculator. You will see that longer or shorter productive life of a cow is the difference between success or failure of a dairy farm.
The efficiency for milk production in a cow is very much genetically determined. We offer cow management systems that make it possible to select the most efficient milking cows from your herd.
We can also consult you on what type of bull can be used for upgrading your local cows and we can advise you on the use of sexed semen.
We can help you to purchase good quality Holstein heifers in Holland or Germany. For delivery of heifers we cooperate with Schaap Agro Holland.
You find the selection specifications for delivery of heifers on page Heifer specification.


Meeting the challenges of food security: implementing the Green Food Project, innovation, biodiversity and land use
Tuesday, 5th March 2013
This event is CPD certified
Professor Tim Benton
Guests of Honour: Professor Tim Benton, Champion for the UK's Global Food Security programme and Professor of Population Ecology, University of Leeds; Tara Garnett, Food Climate Research Network, University of Oxford and Karen Morgan, Green Food Project Coordinator, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Following the Green Food Project which considered the balance of competitiveness, food security and the protection of the natural environment, this seminar will look at the priorities for domestic and international rural land use.
Delegates at this seminar will discuss the extent to which the Green Food Project recommendations could meet the core challenge set by the Foresight report on the future of food and farming, meeting the global food demand without the use of substantially more land and without detrimentally impacting the environment. Planned sessions focus on the next steps towards creating a consensus on climate smart agriculture, international land use and the valuation of eco-systems to food production.
We are delighted to be able to include in this seminar keynote addresses from Professor Tim Benton, Champion for the UK's Global Food Security programme and Professor of Population Ecology, University of Leeds; Tara Garnett, Food Climate Research Network, University of Oxford; Karen Morgan, Green Food Project Coordinator, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Dr John Ingram, Food Security Leader, Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), University of Oxford; James Marsden, Director of Land Management Strategy, Natural England and Professor Michael Winter, Director, Centre for Rural Policy Research, University of Exeter and Director, Food Security and Land Research Alliance.
Phil Bloomer, Director, Campaigns and Policy, Oxfam; Daniel Crossley, Executive Director, Food Ethics Council; Dr Chris Fawcett, Associate Director, AMEC Environment and Infrastructure; Dr Andrea Graham, Chief Land Management Adviser, NFU; Jim Kirke, Leaf Sustainability Manager, British American Tobacco; Dr Yuelai Lu, Head of Secretariat (UK), UK-China Sustainable Agriculture Innovation Network (SAIN) and Senior Research Fellow, International Development UEA (DEV), University of East Anglia (UEA) and Nick von Westenholz, Chief Executive, Crop Protection Association have also agreed to speak.
Lord Cameron of Dillington, Chair, All-Party Parliamentary Group on Agriculture and Food for Development and Barry Gardiner MP, Leader of the Opposition's Special Envoy for Climate Change and the Environment and Vice President, GLOBE International have kindly agreed to chair at this seminar.


Photographer: Natasha Wright Affiliation:lorida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Source:www.bugwood.org Copyright: CC BY-NC 3.0
Adult Description: The adult Pea Leaf Weevil (Sitona lineatus) is typically 3-5mm in length, brown in color with longitudinal stripes of two shades, and has never been sited with spots. The adult has flat lying bristles beneath the wings.
Larva Description: Pea Leaf Weevil eggs are small, smooth, and white when laid, but turn black just before hatching. Larvae are milky white in color with a brown head and are about 1/4 in in length. Long setae or hairs protrude from each segment of the body which flatten in the adult form.
Host Plant: Cultivated peas and other leguminous crops and grasses
Both adult and larval stages of S. lineatus can be harmful to crop yields. The adults feed on foliage while the larvae feed on root nodules reducing nitrogen fixation for the plant. An outbreak in the Soviet Union recorded a density of 50-70 specimen per square centimeter.
Mating and laying of eggs occurs from spring to late June after which the Pea Leaf Weevils die off. Maximum clutch size is 3,600 eggs which are laid on the plant itself or on the soil surface. The larvae eat the plant root from the inside out and emerge as adults beginning in July into August. Warm and humid weather without sudden temperature fluctuation is ideal for S. lineatus.
The Pea Leaf Weevil was first noted in North America in 1936 in Vancouver Island, British Columbia. In 1970 the weevil was found in Eastern Washington. From there the weevil spread south down the coast and can now be found anywhere peas or other leguminous crops are grown.
U.S. Habitat: Peas, beans, sweet peas, alfalfa, various clover varieties, chickpea, and cultivated oats
U.S. Present: Virginia, Florida, Texas, and British Columbia
Clover root curculio can be mistaken for the Pea Leaf Weevil as both may be found in clover fields and contain flat lying bristles. The Pea Leaf Weevil can be distinguished by its large inner wings and stronger ability to fly.
Sowing annual leguminous plants as early in the season as possible, use leaf accelerator fertilizer for the first five weeks of growth and plow fields after harvesting. Use insecticide treatment on plants when needed.
Bardner, R., and K. E. Flether. (1979). Larvae of the pea and bean weevil, Sitona lineatus, and the yield of field beans. Journal of Agricultural Science 92 (1).
Cárcamo, H., & Vankosky, M. (2011). Managing the pea leaf weevil in field peas. Prairie Soils and Crops, 4, 77-85.
Smart, Lesley. (1994). Development of field strategies incorporating semiochemicals for the control of the pea and bean weevil, Sitona lineatus. Science Direct 13 (2) 127-135.


Under the Trump administration the farming and agricultural sector saw a renewal of governmental support as America First policies aimed at bolstering domestic production, reducing regulatory burdens, and engaging in trade negotiations. Trump was instrumental in healing relations with the farming and agricultural sector domestically and abroad. During Trump’s tenure as the 45th president the American agricultural markets saw an economic turnaround as new markets were open to the American beef industry along with rising exports delivered across the globe.
On April 25, 2017 President Trump signed the prolific Executive order 13790 "Promoting Agriculture and Rural Prosperity in America" aimed at identifying and eliminating unnecessary regulations that stifled farmer’s ability to innovate and thrive. One of the primary goals of the Trump administration was to reduce regulatory barriers that hindered the growth of the agricultural sector. Executive Order 13790 entailed the revoking of Executive order 13575, issued on June 9, 2011 which created a bureaucratic White House Rural Council. Many policies that impinged on the prosperity of rural American farmers had been alleviated, including changes to the estate tax directed at family farms in a bid to preserve generational farmers.
One of the underpinning issues facing rural farmers and people living in rural areas encounter is lack of reliable high speed internet where contacting loved ones and basic telecommunication has been a struggle. Under the Trump administration the USDA ReConnect Program was launched aimed to improve broadband access, in rural areas. This support was vital for modernizing farms, enhancing connectivity, and ensuring that rural communities remained viable and competitive.
The overwhelming success of Trump’s America First trade policies was the catalyst in restoring prosperity to American farmers who were the biggest beneficiaries. The assertive approach on trade negotiations through the USMCA trade agreement and Phase One of the revised US - China trade deal saw American farmers receive 28 billion dollars in fiscal aid. This renewed viability was the shot in the arm American farmers had been hoping and praying for. The renewed prosperity was assisted by deregulation including the WOTUS Rule which has crippled parts of the Agriculture sector. This change provided farmers with more flexibility in managing their land and water resources while still maintaining necessary environmental protections.
During the Covid-19 pandemic President Trump initiated a series of relief support packages towards the Agriculture industry. On April 17, 2020 The Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) was initiated. This program provided direct financial assistance to farmers affected by market disruptions due to the pandemic. The CFAP program addressed immediate concerns, ensuring that farmers had the resources needed to continue operations during a time of uncertainty. The USDA under the Trump administration also kicked off the Farmers to Family Food Box Program in May 2020 in conjunction with CFAP. The Program delivered over 173 million boxes of fresh produce to Americans across the nation, until the program ended in May 2021.
“Our Nation will always be proud of the unmatched grit and faith and skill of the American farmer.” President Donald J. Trump.


As manufacturers of machinery for soil cultivation, sowing and plant protection, BHOOR IMPLEMENTS currently employs approximately _________ people worldwide. The company is in the sixth and seventh generation of ownership by the BHOOR IMPLEMENTS family. BHOOR IMPLEMENTS’s headquarters are located in Sangaria, a town in the Rajasthan, 26 Kms away from Distt. HQ. BHOOR IMPLEMENTS produces about __________ machines per year. Thus BHOOR IMPLEMENTS is one of the leading companies in India Agro Industry. With a big market share of reversible ploughs and cultivators BHOOR IMPLEMENTS is established as Agro implemets market leader.
Mission and Vision


Push lawn mowers are particularly suitable if you have a smaller garden. Their compact design makes it easy to manoeuvre in tight spaces.
Self Propelled Mowers
Self-propelled lawn mowers are the perfect choice if your lawn area is medium-sized. They are versatile and tough, no matter what your mowing task consists of.
Rear Wheel Drive Mowers
Rear-wheel drive lawn mowers give you extra traction and strength if the surface is moist, uneven or rugged. It’s also possible to turn the mower when the motor is still running, by just lifting the front wheels off the ground.


To sit a while with Garrett Strickland of Strickland Farming Partnership is to sit with a man so deeply entrenched in North Carolina that he can regurgitate 150 years of its history from a life that lived much of it. “To know about the whole county, you have to be involved in politics and the agriculture community–which of course I was,” Mr. Strickland said in his signature guttural Southern drawl.
Garrett Strickland is a former Sampson County Commissioner and a Board Chairman of his family’s farming operation now. According to their website, Strickland Farming Partnership is a “progressive 7th generation diversified crop and livestock family farm operation. Garrett and his son Reggie still farm much of the land their ancestors farmed as far back as 1861…in Wayne, Sampson, and Duplin counties farming corn, soybeans, wheat, tobacco, pickle cucumbers, and sweet potatoes and finishing over 22,000 swine each year for Prestage Farms and grow out over 120,000 turkeys for Butterball.”
Farming has changed a lot over the years because of the white rabbit of consumerism that farmers are always chasing. “The population of the United States hit 100 million during my early lifetime. It’s 360 million now. The population of the world has gone from 5 billion to 7.5 billion. Land is being taken up for highways, housing developments, and shopping centers. We are feeding more and more people on less land. The only way we can continue to do that is to increase the productivity of the basic crops we are growing. So much of the basic food of the world is based on two crops: corn and soybeans,” Garrett Strickland said.
Having more people to feed on less land is not the only problem farmers face today. The other threat is a global market with unequal standards. “It used to be that we consumed all we made here. You could look around where you live and know all the crops there. Now other parts of the world determine what we grow more than we do. South America, Australia, and now Africa are large agricultural countries. Farms here average 1,000 acres while farms there average 10,000 and do not have to comply with regulations and government oversight as much as we do,” Garrett Strickland explained. “Compliance makes us have a disadvantage in the world market because we can’t do it as cheaply as them. Where we can get ahead in the global market is with specialty crops like sweet potatoes and tobacco that only grow in limited locations. Another way is through partnerships with companies that need our products. The world’s largest producer of hogs, for example, is right here in Sampson and Duplin counties.”
Reggie Strickland is following his father’s example in terms of staying involved in all aspects of farming life. His passion is to keep the farm moving forward, but he does that first by valuing his family. He will be the first to tell you that his father is his “best friend”, his wife is his “secret weapon”, and his children are “his whole world”. Still farming keeps him on the road more times than not. Reggie stays busy traveling the country on the boards of various committees advocating for the quality of US products as well as learning what is new and upcoming in grain crops and other agricultural products. He not only knows cutting edge facts when they matter, but he finds time to promote education in all its forms from agriculture students in college to media tours of the farm or answering phone calls from other farmers needing advice.
One of the biggest things that the public can do to support agriculture today, according to both Reggie and Garrett Strickland, is to understand that farmers are good stewards of the land and the environment. “We have a lot more interest invested in the land than other organizations outside of it,” they said.
The vision to diversify and expand the business really came from Reggie. He knew from an early age that he wanted to go into the family business, and he was excited to work hard and put in the time to make it grow. It was under his vision that the farm diversified into animal production as well as crops. “You want to diversify but not past what you know you can control,” Garrett said. “When things are good, it is easy to over expand and outgrow your management abilities. Learn to use all the tools available to you such as insurance, leasing vs. purchasing, technology, etc. Make decisions after you have made a list of the pros and cons of doing so.”
Farming is full of life lessons, and Garrett shared some of his. “Every generation is going to have hard times, but we get through it by mentoring and learning from each other. It is the bad times that show you what is important as well as who and what you can lean on…Everything that happens in life, good and bad, is a direct relation to your decisions and relationships with others. If you have a disagreement with someone, you are responsible for going to them and correcting it. In life, it is important to learn how to take care of things and then shed them (don’t hold on to grievances).”
The Stricklands find it very important to stay informed about scientific and market research such as the altering of plants to be able to grow in different climates and produce higher yields. “I am always learning. It is important to me to be a lifelong learner. If we ever quit learning, we quit living,” Garrett says. “Farming today is about studying the market and projecting growth for both the crops and the needs of the consumers. It isn’t just putting a seed in the ground and waiting. Most of the time, it is a well calculated risk and an educated guess mixed with a lot of faith.” The Strickland Farming Partnership also leverages technology to help them make the most of their farm. GPS precision planting and equipment that creates field records available via satellite are just part of the tools they use.
Farming is increasingly made difficult by politics and competition, but it is still the vital heart of our society. Ask any farmer today and they will tell you they do not own the land; they are simply caretakers of it. More than any other profession, farmers are keenly aware of the cycle of life. For farms to exist through generations in one family, however, there has to be a love of the land and a desire to continue in that way of life. It is the one concern that can bring both Strickland father and son to tears. “I hope that someone in our family will see fit to carry forward caring for the land after me or at least put it in a land trust to keep it agricultural,” they said.


For those of you who have known me for a while, you probably remember my first book, The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Composting (Alpha Books). One of my favorite parts about writing that book nine years ago was sharing with readers how to raise redworms for the sole purpose of harvesting worm castings for their gardens. For anyone hearing this for the first time…you have to be wondering, “why worm poop?” Well, here’s the scoop on the poop:
Vermicomposting is the practice of using worms to decompose organic waste into a nutrient-rich soil and plant product called “castings” (or poop). While both traditional composting and vermicomposting break down organic materials and provide fabulous plant nutrition for the garden, redworms bring their own special blend to the table. Castings offer composted nutrients in high percentages in a slow-release form along with superior soil-binding, and water-retaining, abilities. They also offer excellent aeration, porosity, and structural properties.
Worm castings are much higher in available nitrogen, phosphates, and potash than your average compost. Plus, these nutrients are available for a longer period of time. “Available” means that the nutrients in castings can get to the plants for easy absorption because they’re water-soluble. They also have the happy side effect of improving soil texture.
I know, I know, perhaps you just can’t wrap your mind around keeping redworms as pets. I get it and guess what? The Soil-Extraordinaire team at Sanctuary Soil are the nation’s leading authority on the production of worm castings. You don’t have to touch a single worm. They have vermicomposting down to a science and have it all bagged up for you and ready to go with their Buckaroo Organic Worm Castings!
No fuss, no muss and you are about to grow some badass plants all because of the organic nutrients and revitalized soil this natural fertilizer provides. If you haven’t amended your garden soil with organic worm castings before, Buckaroo Organic Worm Castings by Santuary Soil is the nutritional treat you’ll want to try this season.


Leading Irrigation Services Provider in Alpharetta, GA
Welcome to CMA Outdoor Services, the trusted provider of superior irrigation services in Alpharetta, GA. With our extensive industry experience and passion for excellence, we deliver unmatched solutions to meet all your irrigation needs. We understand the vital role a well-maintained irrigation system plays in promoting the beauty and health of your landscape. That’s why we’re dedicated to providing efficient, reliable, and affordable services, from system design and installation to routine maintenance and repairs. With us, your lawn and garden are sure to stay lush and vibrant, no matter the season.


|I had to resort to masking fluid. Then I could start work on the central blossom.|
|I am at this point now - very close!|
If you have any questions about colors or techniques [John] please feel free to ask.
|This is the start of my vegetable garden. The layer of soil is quite thin and clayey, so it needs some help. I have put down all my old hay, covered it with peat moss, and am now laying on the compost.|
|My stash of compost ...|
|My compost producer ... "partner in crime" ...|


Learning how to grow their own plants using hydroponic technology is a valuable lesson for Denise Dewling's students.
Corner Brook Regional High is one of 43 schools through the western region of Newfoundland learning how to grow plants without using soil.
The school is participating in Memorial University’s Project SucSeed, an award-winning hydroponic system developed by the university.
The system uses a nutrient-rich solution and a specialized ultraviolet light instead of soil and the plants are grown in containers indoors.
Dewling, a physical education teacher, is working with a handful of students in the Grade 10-12 school to manage the hydroponic gardens.
Corner Brook Regional High was one of the first schools to start using hydroponics during the September 2018 semester.
Dewling said they started out growing the “beginner” seeds, lettuce and kale, in their two hydroponic tubs in late September.
They now have four tubs with another on the way.
For this upcoming semester, Dewling hopes to regrow those crops but to also try out more advanced seeds, such as tomatoes and peppers.
Dewling feels there are all kinds of benefits to using hydroponics, especially in the midst of the long Newfoundland and Labrador winter.
“Where our winter seasons are so long and school doesn’t run throughout the summer, they’re not able to monitor as efficiently as in the inside,” she said.
Dewling called the hydroponic system low maintenance, self-sufficient and cleaner.
“It allows the opportunity for kids to start off with this skill very light versus the huge responsibility of checking on it daily outside,” she said.
There is also great educational value for her students.
Dewling said the students can see and understand the scientific process of hydroponics unfold.
“They see the science component of how the water circulates and the natural sunlight and the light that came with the plants, the whole cycle of it,” she said.
The students also have to frequently test the water levels and the pH levels.
If the water is too acidic, they have to add bases like baking soda and retest to ensure the pH levels are just right.
Or else, the plant won’t grow.
Students must also ensure there’s lots of natural light and proper airflow so their growth materials don’t get mouldy.
Dewling also believes the project promotes holistic health allowing students to commit to a hobby where they can reconnect with the earth.
“They can have the confidence to have this life skill of adapting it to themselves and not relying so much on technology,” she said. “They can do this for their family and themselves.”


"The Tropical Acerola"
The Barbados cherry is a bright red
fruit that is round in shape and very acid to taste. When
bitten, an orange pulp is revealed surrounding 3 small seeds.
There are numerous names for this cherry, including Acerola and Wild Crapemyrtle.
However the true scientific name for this Barbados fruit is Malpighia
punicifolia L as it is a member of the Malpighiaceae
flowering plant family.
is not the only place the Acerola cherry is
There are a number of other regions where this tasty fruit can
be found including many of the other Caribbean islands in the
Lesser Antilles, Central America, South America, Southern Florida and
The Barbados cherry is found growing
on the slender
branches of the bushy, cherry shrub or
branches have smooth evegreen leaves that are dark
color. The Barbados cherry tree can reach as high as 15 feet
is typically 8 to 10 feet tall.
The Nutritional Value
of this Caribbean Cherry
cherries have been found to provide much nutritional
value. The most dominant of these is its high
vitamin C or ascorbic acid content, containing
up to 4500 mg per 100 g (4.5%) of
This has made this cherry one of the
richest sources of vitamin C as compared to a peeled orange
which only contains 50 mg per 100g (0.05%).
To put these values into better perspective, a glass of raw Barbados
cherry juice contains approximately 32
times more vitamin C than a glass of raw orange
This Barbados fruit also
contains high levels of vitmin A of about
12,500 IU per 100 g which
is almost the same level of vitamin A found in carrots and 8
times more than that found in orange juice.
A third health benefit of the Acerola
cherry is its high content of the
Trolox is an antioxidant derivative of vitamin E.
acid, which is known to reduce peroxynitrite mediated
For many years the acerola
been heavily used in Brazil and many other
countries as a natural health drink to cure an array of
ailments. These include dysentery
Here are some of the most common
health-promoting reasons to eat Barbados cherries:
Skin maintenance /
Common Colds and Flus
The Growth of the Barbados Cherry Tree
trees love lots of sunshine and well draining soil. It
is also a drought resistant shrub. This makes
perfect fit for the growth of the cherry tree
tropical sunshine and limestone base.
Barbados plant is commonly proprogated by cuttings
due to its
ease and effectiveness, however air-layering
practiced. Cutting is performed by removing a vegetative part
of the fully grown acerola tree and planting it.
This allows the formation of a new identical acerola
trees are best planted well spaced out, 10 to 15 feet apart,
and in rows. As these cherry plants like warmth and
they should be planted during the spring time after the winter
season has past. As the cuttings grow they will
get taller and the shrub will begin to spread out.
takes almost a year for Barbados cherry trees to start producing the
cherry fruit, with optimal bearing at about 3
later. Having been planted in the spring the cherries will
and be ready for picking in the winter or spring each year.
Barbados cherry changes from a yellowish to bright red colour as they
become ripe. The fruit can be picked directly from
and be eaten. It is also possible to pick the
they are yellow and leave them to ripen in a basket or
As well as eating the
cherries straight from the tree many locals use these cherries to make
juice, jam and puree.


Big discs give the edge in heavy stubble
AMAZONE has extended its range of Catros disc harrows with the introduction of its heavy-duty linkage-mounted XL series. Available in 3, 3.5 and 4 metre widths and equipped with 610 mm serrated discs, these high performance cultivators are capable of working down to 16 cm.
CLAAS Harvest Centre Product Manager - AMAZONE, Blair McAlwee, says the XL series fills the gap between AMAZONE’s Catros Plus and Certos trailed cultivators. “Catros Plus is equipped with 510 mm discs and is suitable for working down to depths of 14 cm, while the heavy-duty Certos is fitted with 660 mm discs and is capable of working down to 20 cm,” he says.
“Catros XL fits nicely between the two. “Its increased disc size, wide row spacing and open frame design ensures passage of crop residue, making it ideal for incorporating heavy cereal, maize or potato stubble. “The disc stagger of 12.5 cm and steep 17-degree angle of attack on the front row of discs and 14-degree angle on the rear row ensure the perfect incorporation of organic matter and cultivation.”
With an operational speed of 12 to 18 km/h, the Catros XL achieves high work rates and fuel efficiency. “Independent tests conducted by DLG in Germany showed fuel consumption was about 4 L/ha when cultivating to a medium depth of about 6 cm and even less for seed bed preparation,” Blair says.
Working depth is adjusted via manual spindles or an optional hydraulic system. “When re-adjusting the working depth, the link arm connection between the first and the second disc row ensures that both gangs of discs work at the same depth,” Blair says.
Catros XL can be fitted with coarse-serrated convex discs, which are recommended for stubble incorporation, or finely-serrated discs to produce a finely-crumbled seedbed at shallower operation.
Like all AMAZONE passive cultivators, each disc is mounted to the shank via a maintenance-free, oil-immersed bearing, while each shank is mounted to the frame via a solid rubber mounting. “This design has been proven over several hundred thousand operating hours throughout the world,” Blair says.
Catros XL can be combined with ten different rollers to ensure optimum soil reconsolidation according operating conditions and soil type. Catros XL is equipped with individually-adjustable side discs that can be folded in for road transport. The Catros XL range of cultivators will be available in New Zealand & Australia in spring 2018.


Food. The food industry forms the economic backbone of many countries, both for national consumption and export. Each contributes to jobs and livelihoods around the world and is an expression of culture and values. It’s also essential to our survival.
And it’s changing. While it’s still too early to measure the true impacts of COVID-19 on global trade and consumption, many other factors are driving changes to food production, particularly climate change and population growth.
Some food supply can easily continue with little interruption. While there are more than 50,000 edible plants in the world, just 15 of them provide 90% of the world’s food energy intake. Of these, rice, corn, and wheat comprise nearly two-thirds. These core staples are easy to store and process. Already, many U.S. farmers producing wheat and rice have been able to rely on mechanized tools and processes that limit human-to-human contact and meet CDC guidelines for safe operation, even under pandemic conditions. As a result, the International Food Policy Research Institute reported in March 2020 that the pandemic does not currently pose a major threat to global food security; adequate stores of these staples remain.
But higher-value, more specialized crops will face a greater number of hurdles. Fruits and organic produce are grown by smaller farms and require more labor. According to the UN and IMF, measures to prevent outbreaks will disproportionately affect these farms and potentially create price spikes that hit restaurants and consumers further down the supply chain. With higher costs across the board, there’s already evidence of increasing fruit prices more than offsetting lower vegetable production.
A great example is apples, one of the most economically and culturally significant fruits in the world today, grown in every temperate zone around the world. They’re also a high-value fruit that requires large crews for planting and pruning to ensure healthy trees and large harvests. Apples are a big business, with major players spread around the world.
Pardon the pun, but apples are also a growing business! Even during the pandemic, world production for 2019/20 is estimated to rise nearly 7% to 75.8 million metric tons. China has rebounded from the frosts of 2018/2019 this year, growing production by 24%, making it again the top apple exporter, and offsetting lower production in the European Union due to a combination of frost, drought, heat, and hail. U.S. production is estimated to have increased more than 300,000 tons to 4.8 million on rebounding output in top grower Washington state, resulting from favorable summer weather. Higher quality supply – and more of it – is expected to further boost exports to key markets.
Over the last several years, demands on the industry have evolved toward better quality, improved food safety and traceability. Higher demands for the treatment of labor, lower energy and water consumption, and safer agrichemicals have also steadily hiked productions costs. This has put significant pressure on growers, processors and retailers to adapt their supply chains. Recent developments in precision agriculture, molecular biology, phenomics, crop modelling and post-harvest physiology should increase yields and quality and reduce costs for temperate fruit production around the world.
Delivering a Better Apple with Vision
If apples are going to be more vulnerable, scarce, and expensive, how can machine vision help?
People, as always, are inconsistent both individually and internally, and from day-to-day. Traditional inspection – humans manually cutting open and examining produce – is destructive, laborious, time-consuming, costly, and subjective. In contrast, imaging systems allow for high-speed, non-destructive quality inspection and grading. Visible, multispectral, and infrared imaging technology is already being deployed to varying degrees across fruit and vegetable grading systems. Still, automatic quality and grading inspection is challenging which slows its adoption in robotic fruit and vegetable grading systems.
The challenges are multifold:
- Physical and biological variability (there are thousands of varieties of apple in the U.S alone)
- Surface detection on uneven, rounded objects that vary significantly in size and shape.
- Discrimination between defects and natural features
- The reliability of the algorithms to date
- The conflict between speed and accuracy in any optical detection system
What You’re Looking for: Defining Quality
Looking at these challenges, it turns out that “quality” is difficult to define. It’s not one single well-defined attribute, but instead many characteristics that define a quality fruit. Research has shown that among relatively similar cultures, , even when the qualities are relatively consistent, the way that quality is recognized varies significantly. When more diverse groups are asked, culture consensus on ‘quality’ falls apart very quickly. These kinds of cultural differences are found all across research (it can get really wild when you look at ‘happiness’) but force us to look at specific and more easily quantifiable aspects of a given apple.
That’s only slightly less difficult. We’ve bred apples to look good to us. More than that, visible light tends to stop at the skin of the fruit, the pigments and chlorophyll and other bands of light can be scattered by the underlying structured tissues. By moving to NIR and SWIR, you can see water density and distribution more clearly inside the apple. This indicates key physical attributes that will help predict the measurable ‘quality’ of the apple, texture, water binding capacity, and specific gravity.
Abnormalities in texture and density can indicate bruising, which is particularly important for quality inspection systems. “Bruising” is damage to fruit tissue from external forces, compressing, cutting, or abrading the skin and flesh of the apple. This causes physical changes in the texture and chemical composition on the fruit, with immediate and long-term effects on color, smell, taste, and longevity of the product.
The susceptibility of apples to mechanical damage depends on many factors, including soil cultivation, nutrition, and weather conditions in the field during fruit growth, all of which have become more complex and extreme over the last few decades. Harvesting and transportation themselves can introduce bruising to the product, and sticks and other debris in the production line can be equally damaging.
With optical sorting, bruised product can be caught and removed. In fact, with more efficient sorting there is less likelihood of waste – apples can instead be sorted by their suitability for other products, like jams, preserves, and frozen mixes. Even though bruising is the top reason for rejecting fruit in sorting lines, automatic sorting systems still often lack precision in detecting bruises, driving companies to fall back on human/manual sorting methods.
Infrared imaging for shelf life
So how do we achieve higher precision? We’ve seen how short-wave infrared imaging can help enable precision farming of crops in the field.
But once a crop is harvested, the need changes. A primary challenge to the plant food industry is the almost universal fact that the shelf life of plant foods is normally short. Generally a shelf life of about seven days is required for domestic consumption and 7-15 days for overseas consumption. Through postharvest processing, storage, and transportation, the physiological qualities of harvested foods continue to change.
In 2007, researchers were able to use NIR/SWIR measurements to distinguish between apple varieties and between storage type and storage duration. Later, researchers used IR spectroscopy to examine the eating and sensory quality of apples (or what humans refer to as taste and texture) after 6 months of air or controlled-atmosphere storage. However, both these studies were not predictive; they only examined the apples after storage. It took larger improvements in infrared imaging technologies to take the next step.
For industrial evaluation that can inform production decisions, determining fruit quality needs to go beyond the immediately visible identifiers that consumers would rely on in the store, such as shape, size, color, texture and defects. Fruit producers need to look at the non-visible features that indicate future quality and longevity: sugar content, firmness, soluble solids content, and nutritional content. To do so, researchers created a system that incorporated imaging of reflected radiation across the visible, SWIR, and MWIR imaging ranges; 400 to 5000 nm. It turned out that the whole spectrum is useful for detecting bruises. The deeper into the infrared range the imaging stretched, the deeper into the tissue of the apple the researchers could evaluate.
Clearly, a more comprehensive approach was needed to power production decisions. Researchers then moved to hyperspectral image analysis that included both NIR and SWIR wavebands, giving different ‘depths’ in the target image, the apple. Adding MWIR imaging proved useful for more extensive bruise recognition.
This was a lot of data to use simultaneously, particularly because the target object was not 2D, but 3D. Even better results were obtained by the use of Minimum Noise Fraction transform (MNF) rotation to determine the inherent dimensionality of the image data, to segregate noise in the data, and to reduce the computational requirements for subsequent processing MNF transformation whose components could be preferable for image segmentation purposes.
The analysis of the total scores for individual ranges (VNIR, SWIR or MWIR) indicated lower prediction values than in cases where these ranges were included jointly into models. The created models of supervised classification based on VNIR, SWIR and MWIR ranges indicate that best prediction efficiency for distinguishing bruised and sound tissues as well as bruises of various depths is obtained for models incorporating these three ranges together. This suggests that it would be reasonable to consider including MWIR range into sorting systems.
Great, how do we do that?
….to be continued in Part II


Dreaming of growing a beautiful lush garden but have no idea where to start? Australia’s favourite green thumb Costa Georgiadis shares his advice to get you gardening.
A great place to start is things like herbs, particularly Mediterranean herbs because they’re tough. Plant them together – things like rosemary and sage, and oregano and marjoram, they’re the kind of plants that need the same amount of water.
2. Leafy greens
Plant two or three different varieties of lettuce in a pot so it fills it, then all you’re doing is picking the outside leaves off and you could fill up a salad bowl to feed three or four people.
Then if you have a bit of silverbeet, a couple of varieties of lettuce, a bit of parsley, you’re almost guaranteed that, within three to five weeks, you’ll be picking edible green leaves that you can make a regular meal out of, multiple times a week. And depending on where you are, you can put plastic bags over your plants if it gets really cold, just to keep them a little bit warmer at night.
3. Don’t go overboard
Treat your plants a bit like a pet when you start. Don’t buy lots and lots of pets; just start small. Give all your time and attention to a few things and then see what happens. Grow it at a pace that is manageable for someone who is moving into a new field. Don’t turn the whole front nature strip or the whole backyard over into a vegie plot and then try to keep up with it.
4. Reuse and repurpose
There’s lots of useful stuff out on the street constantly. When you hear about council clean-ups, that’s the time to get over to those areas because there will be containers a-plenty. There’s always people throwing out really good pots. There are containers and polystyrene boxes everywhere, and you can use those to make little planter boxes.
5. Talk to people
Make yourself friends with your local community garden, because they will be able to help you with their compost, to help you get to know what to do.
And start to talk to the people you know. Just say, ‘Oh I’m starting up a vegie patch’, and see who bites. Because there’s lots of closet growers, and you’ve gotta get them out of the closet. They’ll give you cuttings, they’ll give you seedlings, they’ll help you go for it. Any gardener is all too willing to share seeds. And keep your ear to the ground, look at the houses around. When you suddenly put your grow-it-local goggles on and walk down the street, you’re going to enjoy seeing things differently.
First Published in The Big Issue edition #614.
Illustration by Annie Davidson.


Kwara State Governor, Dr Abdulfatah Ahmed has lamented that the crisis rocking the Nigeria Governors’ Forum has stalled the realization of its peer review objectives.
The Governor made the observation in his response to a request by Senate Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development during a visit to the Governor at Government House that states should compare notes on areas of comparative advantage. According to Governor Ahmed, "politicisation of the forum had denied it the opportunity of a robust review of commercial agriculture development programme of the State".
Dr Ahmed, who suggested that funding windows for agriculture must take cognisance of the dynamics of commercial agriculture, added that the prevailing funding policies were counterproductive as they were designed to fund subsistence farming.
According to the Governor, "it is imperative that stakeholders see commercial agriculture as a business in a manner that would ensure that the country takes advantage of its natural endowments to promote all year farming".


feature story Chevron Brasil supports social project to boost family farming in São João da Barra
Chevron Brasil is supporting another social project in the municipality of São João da Barra, in Rio de Janeiro state. The initiative aims to strengthen the productive chain of small agricultural entrepreneurs of Alto do Cardeiro community, promoting sustainable development in the region and, consequently, greater income generation for producers.
The project is a partnership signed between Porto do Açu Operações and the Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro (UFFRJ). Lasting a year and half, the project will receive investments around US$40,000 – where 58% of resources will come from Chevron Brasil and 42%, from Porto do Açu.
“We are very pleased in being part of this partnership. Supporting initiatives that promote the development of small entrepreneurs, we are contributing for empowering the productive chain in the region and, consequently, for the local economy progress”, says Mariano Vela, Chevron Brasil Country Manager.
The pilot project is already in progress, being conducted by the UFRRJ team, working in data collection about family farming in the region. The data will help define an action plan together with participating families. Two resident agronomists are also planned to work in the community throughout the project to provide technical and management assistance for a quality, scaled, and sustainable production by the farmers.
Farming is one of the main economic activities in São João da Barra, being practiced mostly by small farming families for their subsistence or to supplement the family income. With few resources to invest in new practices and innovation, the cultivation and production activity remains in a traditional way.
The social project expects to bring the implementation opportunities of new techniques providing greater productive and crop qualities, expansion of marketplaces and further development of the sector in the region.


Late in Life with Locusts
Having spent her career as a special needs educator, in 2012 Scilla Allen bought a farm in the countryside. She expected her later decades to be peaceful.
She never expected to end up shaking locusts out of trees in the dead of night in her sixties.
Throughout much of 2020 and 2021, amid all the chaos of covid, swarms of desert locusts devastated massive swaths of East Africa and the Middle East. A lifelong Kenyan, Allen witnessed the swarms firsthand as they passed through her community.
While the conventional response to locust swarms is pesticides, Laura Stanford of The Bug Picture decided she had a better idea. An entrepreneur in the insect protein space, which is growing worldwide as traditional animal feeds and protein sources become increasingly unsustainable, Stanford saw the swarms as an opportunity.
In partnership with the Danish Emergency Fund, Concern and Sapcone, she began piloting an innovative solution: paying local farmers to capture the swarms while they were sleeping, and then turning the insects into feed for chickens. As a local farmer who was already working with insects and The Bug Picture, they asked her to join the project.
“I’m a cancer survivor, and I’m over 60, so at first, when they asked me to get involved, I didn’t think rolling around the Kenyan countryside chasing locusts during a pandemic sounded very sensible,” she explained.
She wound up doing it anyway.
For six weeks, she served as a project manager, driving around the country following the swarms. Each night when the insects settled, the team would reach out to the surrounding farmers and communities and try to gather a group to spend the night collecting.
“I can tell you, following the swarms was not easy,” she said. Sometimes they would settle in valleys, on mountains, or on private property whose owner was not eager to welcome a crowd of civilian harvesters.
At one point, she and many of her neighbors were in a forest near her farm harvesting a swarm when they ran into a bunch of elephants.
“The elephants decided pretty quickly they didn’t want us there,” she said.
She is now processing the last of the locusts, as the swarms have retreated for now and covid lockdowns restrict travel throughout Kenya.
She’s been feeding the locust protein animal feed to her chickens.
“My eggs at the moment are really tasty,” she says, laughing.
Allen’s work with insects is not limited to locusts. She has also been rearing a community of black soldier flies, which offer an innovative approach to waste management and animal feed. The flies feed on organic waste, and their eggs can be boiled, dried, and used in feed for livestock—replacing more unsustainable sources of protein like soy or fishmeal.
In addition to all this work with insects, Allen is also pursuing her PhD in Educational Psychology online at Walden University.
When I asked her if I could write a story about her, she suggested the headline: “Mad old bag farming bugs on the equator!”


No Chemicals - Stop using chemicals in your garden or lawns. The chemicals will not only harm the bees and other pollinators, but enter the ground water supply. Many farmers now buy seeds coated with clothianidin and other systemic insecticides. These can cause the entire plant to become toxic to bees and other insects. The same coatings may soon appear on garden seeds. Check your seed packets carefully.
Give them a Drink -All bees need a steady clean water supply, especially during the warmer months. Consider placing a bird bath in or around your garden, the birds and the bees will both appreciate it.
Spread the Love -One way is get some wild flower seeds and spread them where you can. The more food sources for our wild pollinators the better, let's not forget how nice the flowers will look too.


Corn Ethanol Pump
An article in Science magazine says that growing corn for ethanol is an inefficient use of farmland. (Of course, if you've been paying attention, this isn't really news.) A better option? Growing trees that can be burned to produce volts for electric vehicles. Sorry, hippie friends.
According to the authors' calculations, an acre of crops, converted to ethanol, would provide about 9,000 miles worth of fuel for a small SUV with a combustion engine. An acre's worth of trees or switchgrass, however, could be converted into electricity and provide around 14,000 miles worth of travel in a similar-sized battery-powered vehicle. Big difference.
There are environmental advantages to ditching ethanol and combustion engines, too. Obviously EVs produce fewer emissions than traditional cars--even hybrids:
Powering an electric vehicle using crops would...prevent the release of up to 10 tons of CO2 per acre compared with a similar sized gasoline-powered car. That "offset" of unreleased CO2 is roughly double that of bioethanol-powered cars.
Not only that, but given CO2-capture technology, the process of generating electricity from burning trees is potentially carbon-negative. That contrasts pretty starkly with the environmental impact of corn production, including fertilizer runoff and the effect that withholding corn for ethanol has on world food supplies. (Hint: doing so forces farmers in other countries to mow down forests and create arable land.)
So, problem solved, right? Well, except for the fact that very few people on Planet Earth have fully electric vehicles. Other than that, great news.


Tuesday, May 26, 2009
saskatoons in bloom
I've been so focussed on getting my veggies in that I didn't notice that the saskatoon bushes are blooming. Of course, the bushes were put in by my mom and dad. That's one of the best thing about living in their house - having something tangible appear each spring to remind me of their hard work and love.
Looks like there will be a good crop of saskatoons this year. There never was enough for a pie when Mom and Dad were still with us. Or, maybe there would have been if we wouldn't have stood around visiting in the garden, stuffing handfuls of the berries into our mouths as we talked.
Good times. Good memories.


Question: home root infiltration
I would like to know whether transplanting a cycad or a kenzia a couple of meters away from the house can be a problem of root infiltration; after a bad experience with the wisteria I would like to avoid inconveniences ... and more specifically, which are the trees or plants to avoid in this sense?
House root infiltration: Answer
there are many plants that present a bulky and very extensive root system, which can go to damage the foundations of a house, or the pipes; among the most common, of which we have all been able to observe the effects, there are maritime pines and elms, which can produce a very superficial root system, which ruins paths, pipes, all that it encounters in its path; another very invasive plant, the yucca, which is typically grown in pots, but in reality it can easily find a place in the garden: if in a pot, the container contains its roots, in the open ground the yuccas can develop wide roots, which also branch out near walls and paths. In general, however, most plants do not produce invasive roots, or rather, if the soil in the garden allows a plant to develop without problems, it is more likely that the roots will spread where there is land, rather than approaching the foundations of a house. In addition to this, it depends on where we place a plant: generally a tree is planted at least 3-5 meters from the house, and not in a flowerbed against the external walls. Having said this, cycas and kentia do not have very broad and powerful root systems, on the contrary, they have contained roots, which tend to develop around the stem of the plants themselves, without branching excessively. If next to these you intended to place other plants, such as the wisteria we are talking about, it is important to check that these plants have a good amount of soil available, deep and free of impediments: the wisteria produce a good root system, commensurate with the development of their ramifications; if they have good fresh and deep soil available, the roots will spread in the ground; if, instead, just below the wisteria is a rocky terrain, or other obstacles, it is clear that the roots will try to make space where they can, and also near the foundations of the house. I don't know if this is your case, but often the gardens are positioned immediately after building the house, covering the construction site, sometimes without removing the debris on the ground; therefore a land with remains of concrete, pieces of building material and other debris is covered with a meter (sometimes even less) of land, which unless expressly requested by the landlord, is the least expensive land possible. In a scenario of this type it is clear that the roots of any plant can be troublesome, because beneath the planting holes we find a long series of obstacles, which the roots will be forced to circumvent during their development. If your garden is of this type, or is positioned in an area with partly rocky terrain, then try to plant the plants in a suitable place, where they can enjoy as much substrate as possible.


00 Private Road 5552, Alba, Texas
00 Private Road 5552, Alba, Texas 75410 - With over 226 acres of waterfront on Lake Fork, this may be one of the largest waterfront tracts of land on Lake Fork. There is easy access to this property off of FM 17 & CR 3388. According to the SRA, this land has over 1000 feet of shoreline on Lake Fork. It has 3 large ponds & 1 small lake. The land is approx. 60% pastures & 40% woods. The pastures are predominantly Bermuda & in a normal season will produce approx. 3 round bales of hay per acre. It has a 2400 sq ft metal workshop with 3 bay doors. It has both 110 & 220 electrical outlets. It is insulated, has water & the ceiling is approx. 18-ft high. It has a 60 x 80 metal, covered hay barn. This property is fenced & crossed fenced & has cattle pens.
View Virtual Tour
Listing Courtesy of Lone Star Realty


The cultivation of wine in Santorini goes back to prehistoric times. The dry climate and the volcanic soil in which the unique Santorini grapes grow is responsible for the distinctive wines. Similarly, the local produce of the island is characterized by the volcano’s influence on the land.
The island features wines of exceptional tastes that you can savor during your tours. Taste wines from the indigenous white grape varieties Assyrtiko, Athiri, and Aidani and the reds Mavrotragano and Mavrathiro; learn about the local agricultural products when cooking traditional dishes on fascinating Santorini food and wine tours.


Excellent bubbles in Belgium!
By Pasquale Charland
The adventure started 15 years ago, in 2002; at first, 2 ha and now… 28 ha. Built on the association of a wine negotiator, a farmer, a winemaker from Champagne (Thierry Gobillard) and two entrepreneurs from the region, Ruffus established its domain in Belgium, but close to France to benefit from the same favorable conditions and climate found in Champagne.
It was natural to have vines of Chardonnay, Pinot noir and Pinot meunier in their vineyard, located in Haulchin, near Binche, in the “Les Agaises” lieu-dit, a terroir rich in limestone where the Ruffus Lord reigned in the 12th century. The domain is, currently, the biggest producer of wine in Belgium.
This domain produces only sparkling wines, all elaborated while following the traditional method, which means a second aging phase in the bottle and slatted for a minimal duration of twelve months.
All the cuvées have won the highest distinctions in the most famous international contests, and the vineyard was honored with the “Chevalier du Mérite Wallon” reward in 2015. The latest results have shown that the Ruffus domain managed to win the prestigious trophy in Valladolid, which is certainly the most important competition where 9000 samples (crémants, champagnes, cavas, etc.) from 50 countries are tasted by a jury of 320 specialists. Also, in 2017, the silver medal was earned by the Ruffus Chardonnay Brut in the Chardonnay du monde contest held in France. In their small kingdom, Ruffus produces wines that can withstand competition with wines originating from all the famous wine countries around the world, a proof of their consistency and their very high quality sparkling wines.
Although, it is important to note the production is sold two years in advance; it has already been a few years since they have expressed their inability to withstand the high demand for their products. Developing a vineyard is something that takes time (5-6 years, from the planting of the vines to the production of bottles), costs a lot of money (buying land, material, hiring staff, etc.) and all of it… with no immediate return on these investments. Through all that, the domain was able to maintain its family business aspect and keeps expanding gradually. Ruffus is a name that needs to be remembered and closely followed, as the Belgian wine era has started and their production is now on par with the biggest names in the wine world!


Biodynamics is a spiritual-ethical-ecological approach to agriculture, food production and nutrition. Today, the biodynamic movement encompasses thousands of successful gardens, farms, vineyards and agricultural operations of all kinds and sizes on all continents, in a wide variety of ecological and economic settings. Byodinamics was developed in central Europe in the early 1920s by Rudolf Steiner, PhD and it is now practiced on more than 350,000 acres of farmland in 47 countries. Steiner was one of the pioneers of the organic farming movement, considered by many to be the most advanced and holistic form of organic farming and gardening on the planet. Steiner’s insights have also led to innovative movements in a number of other fields such as education (Waldorf Schools), medicine, finance and social therapy.
Rudolf Steiner, PhD – The Founder of Anthroposophy
Biodynamic farmers strive to create a diversified, balanced farm ecosystem that generates health and fertility as much as possible from within the farm itself. Preparations made from fermented manure, minerals and herbs are used to help restore and harmonize the vital life forces of the farm and to enhance the nutrition, quality and flavor of the food being raised. Biodynamic practitioners also recognize and strive to work in cooperation with the subtle influences of the wider cosmos on soil, plant and animal health.
Most biodynamic initiatives seek to embody triple bottom line approaches (ecological, social and economic sustainability), taking inspiration from Steiner’s insights into social and economic life as well as agriculture. Community supported agriculture (CSA), for example, was pioneered by biodynamic farmers, and many biodynamic practitioners work in creative partnerships with other farms and with schools, medical and wellness facilities, restaurants, hotels, homes for social therapy and other organizations. Biodynamics is thus not just a holistic agricultural system but also a potent movement for new thinking and practices in all aspects of life connected to food and agriculture.
Rudolf Steiner developed biodynamics in partnership with a group of farmers who were concerned with the decline in soil and animal health that they were witnessing on their farms. This was just at the time when a highly mechanistic view of nature was beginning to take hold in agriculture, which led to the development and use of synthetically produced nitrogen fertilizers. Steiner was one of the first public figures to warn that the widespread use of chemical fertilizers would lead to the decline of soil, plant and animal health and the subsequent devitalization of food.
Biodynamics is based on a view of nature as a living, self-sustaining organism that unites material, biological and spiritual elements. A unique aspect of biodynamic agriculture is the attention paid to the influences and rhythms of the sun, moon and planets. Biodynamics is ultimately not just a set of alternative agricultural methods but a new way of seeing and understanding the natural world. Steiner called for and pioneered a new form of science—which he called spiritual science—that could grapple with both the material and nonmaterial or spiritual aspects of reality. Biodynamic farmers work to develop their capacity to sense and observe the more subtle forces at work in nature, and to use their own insights to further enhance the vitality of their farms. The biodynamic methods are thus in a continuous state of evolution and individualization.


Herbs Garden At Home
Fresh herbs make recipes taste even better and are great to have around for soups stews and salads.
Herbs garden at home. The 10 best for a home garden reader s digest editors plant these popular herbs in your garden like basil thyme and dill and enjoy some fresh from the earth taste at your dinner. Most of the herbs that you can grow at home need two things sunlight and well drained soil. Find out how to grow herbs at home and which herb plants are best for herb gardens. Herb plants edible garden the home depot store finder.
Starting an herb garden is one of the easiest things you can do. Nothing beats cooking with home grown herbs so we called upon the expert knowledge of rhs chief of horticulture guy barter and asked for his advice on what herbs are the best to grow in the garden and how we should take care of them to help. Just about every dish tastes better with fresh herbs and there s no better way to get fresh herbs than to grow them yourself in an herb garden. From classic herb favorites such as basil rosemary mint and thyme to lesser known herb varieties follow these growing tending and harvesting tips for herb garden success.
Keep reading to learn about the steps for making an herb garden in your yard. Get free shipping on qualified herb plants or buy online pick up in store today in the outdoors department.
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The African star apple fruits stored for up to 5 days were associated with severe fungal infections and had significantly reduced crude protein, crude fat and moisture content while dry matter. The African Star Apple (Agbalumo in Yoruba, Udara in Igbo) is a native of many parts of tropical Africa. It features prominently in the compound agroforestry system for fruit, food, cash income and other auxiliary uses including environmental uses (Kang, ). Chrysophyllum africanum (African star Apple) popularly known as Agbalumo among the Yorubas, Agwaluma among the Hausas and Udari among the Efiks and Ibibios in southern Nigeria is a fruit that is commonly eaten raw in the study area. It is a large berry that contains up .
African star apple pdf
African star apple validated to reduce blood sugar, cholesterol. It is called Utieagadava in Urhobo, agbalumo in Yoruba, udara in Ibo, Efik and Ibibio, ehya in Igala, agwaluma in Hausa tribes of Nigeria. In southern Benin, it is called azongogwe or azonbobwe in local language “Fon, Goun” and azonvivo, azonvovwe or azonbebi in local language “Aïzo”. Chrysophyllum africanum (African star Apple) popularly known as Agbalumo among the Yorubas, Agwaluma among the Hausas and Udari among the Efiks and Ibibios in southern Nigeria is a fruit that is commonly eaten raw in the study area. It is a large berry that contains up . • African star apple (Chrysophyllum albidum) is a wild tropical tree belonging to the Sapotacae family and occur in diverse eco-zones in Nigeria, and in other tropical African countries such as Uganda, Niger Republic, Cameroon and Cote d’Ivoire • It has good flavour and is source of vitamins C (more than oranges/guava), minerals, calcium, iron and. Oct 02, · Moreover, african star apple content calories, total fat 6 g, mg potassium, 10 g of total carbs, with 4 g of calcium. Furthermore, african star apple content tannis, flavonoids, terpenoids, proteins, carbohydates and resin. Now, we will discuss about health benefits of african star apple Author: Retakristiani. Ethno-botanical study of the African star apple (Chrysophyllum With respect to the different plant parts, the fleshy pulp of the African star apple fruit showed .Oyelade, O.J.; Odugbenro, P.O.; Abioye, A.O.; Raji, N.L., Some physical properties of African star apple (Chrysophyllum alibidum) seeds. PDF | This study was aimed at determining the usefulness of Chrysophyllum African star apple (C. albidum) is a dominant canopy tree. The nutritive value of African starapple, Chrysophyllum albidum, was evaluated chemically. Chemical analyses were carried out on the peel and the edible pulp. Abstract Damage of fruits by insect pests is one of the major problems faced by fruit sellers in many parts of the country. African star apple Chrysophyllum. PDF | The quest for processing of non-edible parts of agricultural produce African star apple seeds to adsorb Fe and Cu ions from municipal.
see the video
Health Benefits of Star Apple Fruit - Forever Health, time: 2:20


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In his second meeting with representatives of the poultry industry in a week, Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, is leading an urgent effort by the Federal Government to address challenges in the agricultural sub-sector and thereby offer relief measures to the ailing industry.
The poultry industry has had to contend with a number of challenges including an outbreak of Avian Influenza which affected almost 4 million birds in 2015, non-allocation of Foreign Exchange for the importation of needed machinery and other critical inputs, and high production costs in the industry.
Prof. Osinbajo who had met with members of the Poultry Association of Nigeria last week Thursday, summoned another meeting today where relevant ministers and agency heads came together to fashion out how to bail-out the industry.
“The poultry industry is a local industry that needs to be protected urgently,” the Acting President said at the meeting where specific measures were tabled and considered on how the FG can be of help.
He said the industry should be a major plank of the agriculture sector and asuch the Buhari administration will ensure that it gets help regarding the challenges being faced by operators of the sub-sector.
He added that by supporting the local industry, poultry related importation which is currently a drain on the country’s Foreign Exchange could be a thing of the past.
In his remarks, Dr. Ayoola Oduntan, who led the delegation of the Poultry Association of Nigeria to present industry challenges to the meeting, noted that poultry presently contributes 25% of the Agricultural Gross Domestic Product of the Nigerian economy amounting to N1.6Trn. He added that Nigeria is rated as the number one egg-producing nation in Africa, and number 4 poultry meat producer in the continent.
The FG is now in the process of concluding decisions on specific lines of action targeted at the challenges facing the industry, a sub-sector that is said to generate over 14 million direct and indirect jobs in the country.
Present at the meeting were the Finance Minister, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, Agriculture & Rural Development Minister of State Heineken Lokpobiri, Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Customs Service, Col. Hameed Ali, rtd, and the Central Bank Governor Godwin Emefiele.


This programme has been developed in collaboration with the IGNOU Regional Centre, Delhi-2.
About the Programme:
Over the years with consistent increase in population, growing urbanization and industrialization, increasing demand for agriculture produce, has led to phenomenal increase in demand for water. This has also resulted in over exploitation of limited surface as well as ground water resources, and as a consequence consistently and continuously depleting ground water table. The situation in urban areas is even more serious. Accordingly, there is an urgent need for not only conservation of water resources but also its augmentation through effective strategies and management, particularly in view of ever rising demand for water from various competing sectors. Rainwater harvesting essentially means collection and storage of the rainwater from rooftop or from a surface catchments for future use. This takes care of the ever growing requirement for water, increases soil moisture level thereby enhancing urban greenery, rise in the ground water table through artificial recharge and also improves quality of ground water. Town planners and civic authorities all over the country have introduced by-laws for encouraging rainwater harvesting. Despite various initiatives including legislative measures, very little rainfall is conserved and harvested. There is a tremendous possibility for harnessing the rainwater for augmenting the existing water resources. This calls for generating mass awareness and dissemination of knowledge and skills with regard to rain water harvesting techniques and management for the optimal use of harvested water through trained human resource. This programme would especially be useful for those living in water scarce and drought prone areas.
The programme aims at:
- sensitizing and educating learners on augmentation and utilization of water resources;
- imparting knowledge, skills and expertise to understand water harvesting techniques;
- enabling learners to act as trainers and organizers at household and community levels for efficient water management in terms of its usage and also for water conservation.


On-Line Meeting due to COVID-19
We will be returning to our regular meetings (with appropriate social distancing in place) beginning with our next meeting on June 13. Program topics will be posted as soon as we get them lined up.
Topic: Growing and Planting Sweet Potatoes
May meeting video
This video is a follow-up to the main one. It shows the sweet potato yield in a 3×4 foot area that had been planted rather than just spread into.
A quick tour around the garden (included at the end of the meeting video)
Calorie spreadsheet – This is not the same chart mentioned in the video.


NWMO Donates New Hydroponic Unit to BCPL’s Teeswater Branch Seed Library
Bruce County Public Library is thrilled to announce the generous donation from the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) of a cutting-edge hydroponic unit. The Teeswater Branch will permanently display the unit, where it will be available for patrons to help themselves to herbs and leafy greens that will be grown there.
The hydroponic unit is an indoor garden with a built-in watering system and LED lights. Watering and lights are on a timer system that ensures plants have everything they need to produce an array of healthy herbs and vegetables indoors, with little supervision. This is a valuable addition to the BCPL’s Seed Libraries, launched earlier this year. The Seed Libraries have been an astounding success, with over 600 packages picked up from the Library. This has offered library patrons a unique opportunity to learn and engage in sustainable gardening practices.
The NWMO is a not-for-profit organization responsible for designing and implementing Canada’s plan for safe, long-term nuclear fuel management. NWMO has been an active supporter of Bruce County Public Library as a major contributor to their Bookmobile project, and purchasing a 3D printer in the fall of 2020.
“We are immensely grateful to NWMO for their ongoing support and donation of the hydroponics unit; this addition to our Seed Library program aligns perfectly with the program’s goal to provide educational resources and empower Bruce County residents to embrace food sustainability. We look forward to seeing its positive impact on our patrons,” said Library Director Brooke McLean.
Seed Libraries can be found at the following BCPL Branches:
Seed Libraries are free to use with your BCPL card. Getting a card is easy, and there is no charge. You can visit your local Branch to register or sign up online at getacard.brucecounty.on.ca. Donating back to the Seed Library is not a requirement, but there are labelled envelopes for patrons to return harvested seeds. New to gardening? Bruce County Public Library carries a large selection of books and other resources to help get you started, as well as in-person and online events to help patrons learn about planting and harvesting seeds.


Gardening is a worthwhile hobby for everyone, regardless of age. Our gardens at “Hinder them not” Montessori School, in particular, offer your children fun, excitement, and learning. Your children prepare the soil, plant the seeds, weed, water, and cultivate. After, they get to harvest, eat, and enjoy the fruits of their labor—making this a truly rewarding experience for them. We let your children plant flowers, herbs, and vegetables.
For more information regarding our outdoor gardens, you may call us at 732-710-3882 or send us a message online.


Govt’s locust control policy focuses on chemical spray alone: Farm expert
PTI, Jun 1, 2020, 4:26 PM IST
New Delhi: As the country faces the worst ever desert locust outbreak in three decades, a farm expert has said the government is just focusing on chemical spray on the migratory pest, ignoring other natural methods for controlling the menace.
Presently, locusts have affected five states – Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Maharashtra. The Centre has issued a warning to the border-sharing states and has plans to step up aerial spray using drones and helicopters.
“Despite the known side effects of aerial spraying of pesticides, the government”s locust control policy is focussed on chemical spray only and other non-chemical measures are being completely ignored,” Haryana-based Kudrati Kheti Abhiyan Advisor Rajinder Chaudhary said in a statement.
“There is no doubt that the locust attack is a menace that cannot be ignored, but along with locust control, it must also be ensured that the control measures do not pollute air, water, environment, and food chain,” he said.
A representation has been made in this regard to the agriculture ministry.
“To control locusts without side effects, a number of effective non-chemical remedies have been suggested by experts from India and abroad, including by Padma Shri awardee Chintala Venkata Reddy, an organic farmer from Telangana,” he said.
“Chintala has shared safe and effective measures with the government for control of locusts through biological and non-chemical methods,” he said.
“If chemical methods cannot be junked altogether, then at least in the areas near the population and close to catchment/storage areas of water bodies, the Government must adopt the safer non-chemical measures instead of adopting chemical measures,” Chaudhary said.
Listing out some of the non-chemical measures, he said locusts, which do not travel or eat during night can be collected and used as poultry feed. The economic and physical feasibility of this method has been established.
“A person can catch up to 10 quintals of locust in a night and use them as poultry and duck feed, thereby helping control locusts,” he said.
“Another way to control locusts within 24 hours is by spraying a concoction of linseed oil, edible soda/sodium bicarbonate, and extracts of garlic, cumin, and orange. This mixture also has no side effects on crops. Timely measures can be taken by understanding the cycle of locusts and one can use available parasitic fungi that can kill locusts,” he added.
That apart, locusts can also be controlled by spraying with anything that makes the vegetative matter inedible.
Chintala has suggested taking 30-40 kg of sub-soil from four feet below the earth and dissolving it well in 200 litres of water and allowing it to rest for 10-20 minutes. The sieved water should be then filtered and sprayed on the crops. This will make all the vegetation inedible for locusts.
This sand-water can be sprayed with a normal spray pump. After the locust threat is over, spraying the crop with plain water will remove the sand layer from the leaves.
He also said that making noise, placing 50-foot high traps on the way of swarm of locusts or flying airplanes through the swarm or scattering them by any other way can avert major damage.
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New Life Artists Supports Washington State University's Bee Research
New Life is dedicated to helping environmental and other worthy causes.
For our first year, we are donating 10% of all our sales to support Washington State University's Honey Bee and Pollinator research program.
Honey bees are the single most important pollinator contributing to a healthy global food supply. Declines in insect pollinators worldwide present a challenge for food security.
Washington State University’s new Honey Bee and Pollinator Research, Extension, and Education Facility at Othello, Washington offers a new home for development of the world’s best programs help save the bees. Opening in spring 2020, this new facility is located amid the pollinator-dependent agriculture of central Washington.
Please visit their site to learn more and see how you can help!


For Year 9’s Geography excursion this term, we were lucky to be able to visit an active local raspberry farm, Paradise Fruit Farm Burpengary. As we have been learning about biomes and the reliability of our food sources, visiting a local farm really helped the Year 9s to develop their observational skills. It also enabled them to connect to what they have been learning. There was a lot of information about new farming technologies, and how interconnected the world is becoming, even with something as small as what goes on our plate. The people who spoke to us at the farm really knew what they were talking about, and really showed us the passion that they have for their work. Overall it was a lot of fun, and it was a great opportunity to see a lot of what we have been learning about in the classroom in a real-life setting.
You can learn more about Northpine’s Middle School here.
-Mr Johann Nalder, Humanities Teacher


The percent of the country experiencing abnormal dryness dropped slightly over the last week. However, the area experiencing "exceptional" drought — which is the most extreme category — ticked up slightly.
The entire state of California is experiencing drought.
The least impacted parts of California are the extreme northern and southern regions, but even they are experiencing severe drought. More than two thirds of the state is experiencing extreme drought and nearly a quarter is experiencing exceptional drought.
Fire authorities say the droughts are to blame for the extreme wildfires that have burned thousands of acres near San Diego.
Cal Fire Assistant Regional Chief Tom Porter said Thursday during a news conference that after 12 months of dryness dead vegetation has become highly volatile.
Cal Fire spokesman Daniel Berlant added that drought makes for a very busy fire season. "The drought has set the stage," he told BuzzFeed.
But California isn't the only part of the country experiencing crushing drought. Much of Central Texas also is exceptionally dry.
Western Oklahoma is seeing exceptional drought conditions too.
Even large swaths of normally rainy Hawaii are experiencing abnormal dryness.
The U.S. Drought monitor predicts continued dryness for the western U.S. over the next week, though temperatures in California should drop.
Jim Dalrymple is a reporter for BuzzFeed News and is based in Los Angeles.