Bacillus polymyxa is a facultative anaerobe that grows in soil. It is a facultative anaerobe because it can perform aerobic respiration in the presence of oxygen but can switch to fermentation when oxygen is not present. It utilizes different organic carbon sources, such as cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin, to produce a variety of metabolites, including antibiotics and antifungals.
Bacillus Polymyxa Agriculture is an agriculturally important bacterium that is found in soils in close association with plants. It can improve plant growth by increasing nitrogen fixation from the atmosphere, increasing phosphorus solubilization, and promoting the production of phytohormones. It is an effective biocontrol agent and can reduce the need for chemical fertilizers. In addition to improving soil health, Paenibacillus polymyxosus has a variety of other useful properties.
Despite being naturally occurring in the soil, Paenibacillus polymyxa has numerous uses in agriculture. It can improve the growth of crops by reducing weeds and controlling pests. It is also useful for biofertilization and biocontrol. And it is compatible with many agriculturally important crops. If you’re interested in using this beneficial microbe in your farming, get in touch with us! We’d love to hear from you!
Paenibacillus polymyxa is a beneficial microbe to cultivate
Paenibacillus polymyxa is a beneficial microbe to cultivate. The rod-shaped organisms produce pale colonies on agar and differentiate into ellipsoidal endospores. When conditions are right, endospores can germinate. However, if they are exposed to high temperatures, they will become toxic. These bacteria are known to produce antibiotics and antifungals and are useful in agricultural practices.
Bioactive bacterial strains
The use of bioactive bacterial strains in agriculture has been widely documented. Paenibacillus polymyxa is a naturally occurring bacterium with a wide range of roles in agronomic crops. Its diverse niches allow it to provide plants with a range of benefits, including nutrient-fixation, phytohormone production, and soil health. Further, the strain is an excellent choice for biocontrol.
Bacillus polymyxa is an excellent source of biocontrol agents and biofertilizers
Moreover, Bacillus polymyxa is an excellent source of biocontrol agents and biofertilizers. Its broad spectrum antibiotic activity has made it a valuable addition to agricultural fertilizers. Its strong antiadversity properties allow it to control disease and pests. Therefore, it is a great candidate for agricultural biocontrol. But how can paenibacillus polymyxa benefit your crops?
Paenibacillus polymyxa has a long history of use in agriculture. It is a key component of the core microbiome of several agriculturally important crops. It is also a useful biofertilizer, and is a valuable component of soil health.
Paenibacillus polymyxa is an endospore-forming bacterium
Paenibacillus polymyxa is an endospore-forming bacterium found in soils and is considered a biocontrol agent. The bacterium is also useful for other agricultural purposes. It improves nitrogen fixation in the soil and increases phosphorus solubilization. It reduces the need for chemical fertilizers. The bacterium also produces several antibiotic and antifungal compounds.
The bacterium is a naturally occurring bacterium that is important in agriculture. It is a member of the core microbiome of many agriculturally important crops. Besides improving the soil’s fertility, it has biocontrol and biofertilization potential. It has even been used in human food and cosmetics. This is a very beneficial microbe that has several uses.
The bacterium is an endospore-forming Gram-positive bacterium
The bacterium is an endospore-forming Gram-positive bacterium that has been used in agriculture for centuries. It has a number of beneficial effects on plants and has been found to increase the amount of nitrogen in soil, improve phosphorus solubilization, and protect plants from abiotic stress. It is important to grow crops in healthy soil. And if you can add bacteria to it, the bacterial growth will be beneficial.
P. polymyxa in agriculture
In the meantime, scientists continue to research the role of P. polymyxa in agriculture. It is an endophyte, which means it can affect plant growth. But there are also reports that the bacterium can benefit human health. For example, a study published in the journal Nature Communications suggests that bacterial growth can increase a crop’s yield. The bacterium’s ability to produce a protein called GFP in the soil allows it to work as a bio-inhibitor.


Less than two hundred years earlier, the flowers of anthurium seemed entirely different from the way they appear today. They developed even more natural looking flowers and in the Amazon rainforests of South America they rose unnoticed by man. It wasn’t until the late 1800s when one guy called Samuel Damon brought them to Hawaii. next And it wasn’t until the 1940’s that they started to look like the flowers we see today.
The 1940s is the decade that Hawaiian anthurium fans discovered how to cultivate these flowers selectively to create the spectacular varieties of flowers we have today. After that, these plants were propagated by cuttings only, so when propagated by cuttings, the plants in the child end up looking just like the plants in the parent. Yet with the increase of selective breeding three main flower varieties were produced out of this very plain-looking plant: normal, obake, and tulip.
You’ve seen a regular range if you’ve seen an anthurium chances are. Such forms of anthuriums typically come in solid colors and are heart-shaped; red is the most common colour. At the other side, though obake anthuriums are larger than normal anthuriums, so they typically come in an elongated heart form so generally come in two or three colours. Finally, tulip anthuriums are formed like tulips and come in appealing green, pink and purple colours. Typically they are smaller than normal anthuriums, or obake them.
The anthurium industry has developed a lot in Hawaii since the 1950s and has also expanded outside the State’s boundaries. In addition, production has spread to the Netherlands, Mauritius and even to South America, the ancestral home of these species.


Urban Agriculture grow kits come with one pack of organic seeds, one portioned bag of organic soil, and a stylish urban grow container for your plant.
Our tomatoes are determinant – meaning they only grow to a certain size, so no pruning is necessary unless the plants are damaged.
Soil should be kept moist, but not soggy, a good way to determine if your plant needs water is to poke your finger about an inch under the soil – if moist no need to water.
A balanced fertilizer can be helpful once the plant starts flowering and setting fruit.
Keep soil moist but do not over water. Water every other or every third day.
Jalapeños like lots of sun.
A plant food fertilizer is helpful for a healthy crop of fruit.
To help harden or strength in the plant, very gently grass the stems and move them back and forth and side to side to encourage these parts to thicken up.


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Shrinking (Ultra-) Violet
By Scott Hayes - University of Bristol
It may be a surprising thought, but plants can see. They are able to distinguish light of different colours and they compute this information to form a picture of the world around them. My PhD has given me the opportunity to really delve into the world of plants, and to discover how they understand their environment.
Being sun loving and rooted to the ground, the ability to assess the quality and composition of light is incredibly important to plants. For instance, imagine a newly established seedling happily basking in full sunlight. If a neighbour starts to encroach upon this plant, the local light environment changes drastically. When it senses the looming threat of shade, our seedling initiates a series of developmental responses, driving the elongation of stems and leaves, in the hope that it can retain access to full sunlight.
Over the course of my PhD I have discovered that even low levels of ultraviolet-B radiation (UV-B, the component of sunlight that gives you a tan) are able to put a drastic brake on these ‘shade-avoidance’ elongation responses. Under UV-B, plants stop excessive elongation and adopt a more compact structure. What really excites me is uncovering how these signals interact on a molecular level. It’s a small piece of the puzzle, but it all adds up to give us a better picture of how plants see their surroundings and how they use this information to optimise growth.
Knowing how shade-avoidance is affected is of huge importance to agriculture. Excessive elongation not only effects the aesthetics of crops (gangly looking coriander anyone?), but also reduces yields, with plants putting all their energy into over-topping competitors, rather than fighting off pathogens and producing the grains, fruit and leaves we eat. Shade-avoidance is particularly detrimental in indoor grown crops, where space is a strong limiting factor. Unfortunately, UV-B is almost entirely filtered out by glass and polytunnels.
My research adds to the increasing realisation among plant scientists that UV-B is an important informational signal in sunlight. I hope that in the future, the incorporation of UV-B into industrial growth systems may allow for the more efficient production of indoor-grown crops.
Investigating the role of UV-B light in plant development


|The SR 100 Series SpeedRake® from Kuhn Farm Machinery is available in eight-, 10- and 12-wheel configurations with working widths from 15 feet, 10 inches to 23 feet, 4 inches. The windrow width is adjustable from 36 inches to 84 inches.
The SR 108, 110 and 112 feature a high-clearance design for unrestricted crop flow. The lateral suspension springs are adjustable and provide optimum ground pressure for clean raking. Finger wheel flotation minimizes crop contamination from soil and foreign material. The heavy-duty frame fitted with large, 15-inch wheels and tires is designed for a dependable service life.
Published in the January 18, 2006 issue of Farm World.


PrettyPlant® Natural Mulch is available in two mixes that both insulate the soil from temperature extremes and conserves soil moisture. It is all natural, 100% plant derived, fully cured and made without dyes or animal waste. Our #1 blend is a triple grind and our #2 blend is a double grind.
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PrettyPlant® Natural mulch really is the perfect finishing touch! There’s nothing quite like attractive landscaping mulch to provide the perfect finishing touch for any property. PrettyPlant® Natural mulch from Zeager Bros., Inc. is a 100% natural landscaping mulch that has been a preferred choice of landscaping professionals and property owners in PA and beyond for many years. Applying PrettyPlant® Natural mulch is a cost-effective way to transform the look of your property and enhance its natural beauty.
Natural Wood Mulch for Sale in Pennsylvania and Nearby States
Since the early 70’s, Zeager has been making mulch products for PA, DE, MD and NJ customers. We believe that natural elements make the most beautiful landscapes. The right mulch minimizes evaporation, reduces weed growth, slows erosion and improves your soil. That is why our mulches are made from organic matter and natural materials. From natural mulches to colored mulches, our products will be delivered to you promptly with dependable drivers and excellent customer service.
Single, Double and Triple Ground Mulch in a Wide Variety of Gorgeous Colors
Zeager Bros, Inc. offers superior natural bark mulch for sale in Pennsylvania that is single, double and triple processed to a fine consistency. Our rich, dark mulch is naturally aged and fully cured. Our planting mulch is tested to compost standards, builds soil and plant health, is higher in plant available nitrogen, and serves as 2-in-1 planting and decorative mulch.
Our colored mulch is made from naturally occurring colorants that will not harm plants or animals. This long-lasting mulch will also maintain its color throughout the year – it will look just as gorgeous in February as it does in August! It can be purchased in an array of beautiful colors that includes Dark Walnut, Coffee Brown (available in PA only), Black, Natural and Starburst Red.
Other Key PrettyPlant® Benefits
Applying our landscaping mulch can also benefit your property. All of our mulches are made from plant materials – no manures! Our mulch helps to maintain soil moisture, which can reduce the need for extensive watering. It can also insulate your soil from temperature extremes and improve overall soil structure — you’ll appreciate how easy our mulch is to maintain, too!
PrettyPlant® Mulch Can Be Found in Many Places
PrettyPlant® mulch is used in various landscaping applications on properties throughout the region. Our brown-colored mulch is a prominent feature of the landscaping of Messiah College in Mechanicsburg, PA, and our black-colored mulch can be seen on the grounds of the Masonic Village in Elizabethtown, PA. Many home owners and landscapers have made PrettyPlant® mulch a part of their landscaping efforts, and we also serve golf courses, schools, churches, universities, hotels, retirement communities, shopping centers, and municipalities.
Our landscape mulch is also backed by excellent customer service. Our product experts can help you choose the best mulch for your property, and we can ship your order directly to your location — or you can save money by picking it up yourself. By buying directly from the manufacturer and not a distributor, you can also take advantage of money-saving cash discounts.
Buy Your Landscaping Mulch from an Experienced Company
Zeager Bros., Inc. has been in business for over 50 years. What began as a family-owned and operated sawmill has expanded into one of the largest mulch producing operations on the entire East Coast. In addition to landscaping mulch, we also offer safe playground mulch for sale, as well as other eco-friendly equine footing, green roof, animal bedding, and soil and erosion control products.
Contact Us to Learn More About Our Landscape Mulch
PrettyPlant® mulch can provide you with a lush, rich landscaping solution to enjoy throughout the year. To learn more about the wide range of environmentally friendly landscape mulch products and services, contact Zeager Bros., Inc. today. We’ll be happy to provide a no-obligation price quote.
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Meet Our Neighbors At NOMADgardens
NOMADgardens is a roaming community garden in the heart of Mission Bay San Francisco. They rent 2â€™x4â€™ raised beds to local residents to grow their own food and teach health, wellness and urban agriculture classes in the garden and throughout the community.
Through wonderful community partners, NOMADgardens is the first vacant lot in Mission Bay to be activated on behalf and for the community. Their vision is to continue to build the garden into a vibrant hub that connects its diverse community through food cultivation and education, helping to build and sustain a healthy, happy and thriving community.
To respond to the rapid growth of our neighborhood, the garden was designed to be moveable, meaning all parts of the garden can be picked up with a forklift, placed on a truck and relocated to another available parcel within Mission Bay.
â€˜I love NOMADgardens and container gardening rocks! I started out knowing almost nothing about what to grow, soil, fertilizer, etc and now while I am far from an expert I am enjoying yummy organic self-grown treats from the garden regularly. The other gardeners are wonderful, supportive and love to share their knowledge. I have grown tomatoes, carrots, celery, bell peppers, spicy peppers, lettuce of all varieties, kale, herbs, strawberries, cucumbers and so much more. When I first heard it was a 2’x4′ container I thought, well I won’t be able to get much variety, but boy was I wrong. As the containers are deep, the roots have lots of room to grow down, thus needing less spacing.â€™ â€“ Miche P., Yelp
NOMADgardens Upcoming Events:
Monthly Open Garden: August 6 and September 3, 10am-4pm
Pack a picnic, bring your family and hang out on the NOMADgardens lawn during the Monthly Open Garden. Youâ€™ll see whatâ€™s growing and learn about their mission to build healthy happy communities.
Volunteer Day at NOMADgardens: September 18, 10am-12:30pm
NOMADgardens holds a quarterly Community Volunteer Day, helping to keep the garden beautiful. Youâ€™ll not only learn, but provide valuable resources for a bourgeoning wellness center.
Container Gardening: September 18, 1-2pm
Learn how to grow food in raised beds or containers. Learn wise choices for the limited space and resources available to you in an urban garden. NOMADgardens will cover plant choice, soil fertility, watering and maintenance in this class, with plenty of time for questions and discussion.
Learn more about NOMADgardens by visiting their website and Facebook page.
Nature is your neighbor. Nurture is your reward. Escape from the concrete and surround yourself with color as everything convergesÂ atÂ ONE Mission Bay. The comfortable blend of urban pulse, modern design, resort-like amenities and the great outdoors. Join us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for construction updates, neighborhood news, events, and much more.
image credit: https://www.facebook.com/NOMADgardens


Ban Pa Bong Piang Located in Mae Chaem District Chiang Mai Province It is a village with terraced rice fields surrounded by high mountains. switch to the corn fields of the villagers It is considered a very popular tourist destination at this time. Tourism here must be said that it is divided into 3 periods. Some people want to see the atmosphere during the cultivation period, namely during the months of July-August. which the rice plant is still a small seedling, not filling the area so that the water surface of the rice field can be seen. But if you want to see green rice full of fields in September – The beginning of October will be the most beautiful. If you want the golden color of the ears of rice, come at the end of October. The color of the fields in each period that contrasts with the color of the sky Look at each other and make each other beautiful.
We have many types of big bike rentals, such as Touring Bike, Road Bike, Cruiser & Classic Bike, Big Scooter and Dirt Bike. Regularly check the condition of the big bike before service. There is a new big bike update. Along with advice on renting a big bike in the country and abroad. To support the needs of all customers who love to travel and finding new experiences by using these big bikes as a travel buddy.


A first ever report (ENA - European Nitrogen Assessment) was just released outlining the cost of nitrogen pollution on the European Union's Economy.
The study carried out by 200 experts from 21 countries and 89 organizations estimates that nitrogen pollution costs Europe between USD 101 Billion - 461.7 Billion per year or USD 212.00 and USD 1,062.00 per person per annum. These costs are more than double the income gained from using nitrogen fertilizers in European agriculture.
The report also details a number of key assessments of nitrogen pollution including:
Nitrates cause toxic algal blooms and dead zones especially in the North, Adriatic and Baltic Seas and along the West Coast of France in Brittany.
at least ten million people in Europe are potentially exposed to drinking water with nitrate levels above recommended levels.
The study also states that at least half the world's population is dependent on food that is grown with nitrogen based fertilizers but that the environmental costs of nitrogen pollution to Europe are very high and that the benefits of nitrogen abatement achieved by applying and using fertilizers more efficiently and reducing meat consumption outweigh the costs of other options.
Click here for the full report


This is the first planting bee for the beds created by Nundah Community Enterprises Co-operative (NCEC)‘s youth co op members.
We plant native tubestock for several reasons.
- It’s less digging
- It’s cheaper so not such a disaster if some get trampled, squashed by a ball, or die for any reason.
- These plants aren’t tempting to plant thieves.
- It adds to the interest watching them grow.
Plants used include:
- Dianella brevipendunctulata
- Myoporum boninense ssp.australe Extremely tough – so tough you sometimes see this on median strips. Tiny white flowers and red berries for the birds and lizards. Sprawls, trim to any shape or to keep compact.
- Chrysocephalum apiculatum (Yellow Buttons)
- Hibbertia scandens
We’ve put in some paper daisy seedlings at the front for an added pop of joy when people come out of the gate, or approach from the laneway opposite. The paper daisy plants will also fill the space quickly while the long-term plant grow. The children of the house will need to water them daily while they get established.
Clearing up and watering
Final watering at the end. One of the reasons for residents planting their own verge is access to water. Even though we plant native plants suited to the soil and climate, they need water while they get established.
Because this is a public space, it is essential that you take away all your stuff at the end of a working bee. No tools, plant pots, etc should be left in the space between sessions.
Learn more about our method of verge gardening
Our method of working with nature means an incremental building of biodiversity. That also gives time for getting to know the space, lots of conversations, and learning about gardening and the plants.
It means neighbours have time to get curious, ask questions, and be reassured that you aren’t appropriating public land for your own use or turning it into a community food garden.
What’s next for this garden
- Nundah Community Enterprises Co-operative (NCEC)‘s youth co op members will be back to clear the grass up to the fence at the far end, and do some planting
- The children of the house will water the plants while they settle in.
- By summer, these tiny plants will have grown and will start filling the space.
- As the plants grow the children can monitor the bees, butterflies and other creatures that are attracted by the plants.
Many thanks to all who came today, and ACF Community Brisbane Northside group for ongoing organisation of the working bees.


Our company was established in 2005 and had been operating actively since April 2006 with the current shareholding structure. Our main activity is the import, export, domestic sales and marketing seeds, plant nutrition and plant protection products used in agriculture. In addition to these, our company also grows its own products such as corn, sunflower and more importantly wheat in its own lands.
Our company has been one of the market leader in the sector and has adopted the priority to work with the products of the companies with the highest brand value in national and international markets. For plant nutrition, has collaboration with Compo Expert, Eurochemagro, K+S Kali, and R-Bio; In the field of plant protection, we are working with world greatest supplier BASF, DowDuPont and Polimet Kimya.
Agriculture is the most important resource for a country. As a result of the increasing world population and the decreased in agricultural areas, the food crisis is getting more and more serious. In order to become one of the leading countries in the world, we must be a self-sufficient country and we must pay more attention to do export. Only way to do is to produce high quality and abundant crops. As Eforganik, we will always support sustainable agriculture.
As Eforganik Tarım;
• Increase the yield and quality in the unit area
• Arranging continuous farmer meetings and seminars for better farming practices.
• Having proper plant nutrition and protection practices.
• Production of new methods based on traditional and scientific methods.
• To be a leading and reliable brand in the sector.
• Always be transparent and honest.
• To abide by ethical rules in competition.
• Making a difference by developing the product range.
• Having win-win strategy with all our stakeholders and all our business partners, as well as all dealers and farmers.
• Ensuring healthy products for healthy generations without harming environment
• To work with innovative, reliable information-based strategy to be an important part of agriculture and to add value for our country.


Many of us take food for granted. When hungry, all we have to do is open the refrigerator and make a sandwich. Or visit the nearest deli. Did you know more than 925 million people around the world are without food? Do you know they have not had a meal in two or three days? 65% of the world’s hungry live in India, China, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Pakistan and Ethiopia. According the World Food Program, there is enough food to feed the world population of 7 billion. So, if there is enough food to feed the entire world, how are people going hungry?
This, of course, has a multitude of reasons. The most outstanding are natural disasters. These are floods, storms and droughts. These natural disasters can cause dire repercussions in the world’s food supply, especially to the poor people living in third world countries. Currently, drought is the most prevalent natural disaster faced by many countries. Drought results in crop failure and the death of livestock. Many people living in the third world countries depend on these two commodities for their daily existence. Drought and the inability to grow crops and the death of livestock, result in the failure to sell vegetables and livestock, to cover their costs and pay for food. The lack of funds for the purchase of foods, for daily living, results in many farming families going hungry. Poverty resulting from lack of funds due to drought conditions can also result in hunger. People in the third world countries spend more than 50% to 80% of their income on food. Lack of funds results in poverty, inhibiting their purchase of foods which in turn results in hunger.
Hunger is extremely prevalent during times of war. Loss of lives and homes, loss of jobs and farmland due to war conditions also result in hunger. Displaced people have no money to purchase food. For example, Sudan went through a major food crisis in 2004, because of the war. Ironically, this occurred in an area of Sudan that generally sees good rainfall and an abundance of crops. Systems that deliver food supplies to displaced persons are also disabled and this means these people are unable to deliver foods to the hungry. Farming and food production comes to an almost standstill during war because of the unsafe environment. Sometimes, heavy military spending can also take away funds that are usually reserved for food, healthcare and education.
Food supply can also be interrupted due to the growth of the population. The rise of the population guarantees the rise in demand for food. This is a serious problem in many developing countries. This is compounded with the rising cost of food prices. The fast pace of the growth in population makes it extremely difficult to increase food supply accordingly. Land is being used for homes and this reduces the land available for growing crops. This, in turn, causes a food shortage. The increase in population also leads to lack of jobs that result in poverty which results in hunger. The lack of land available for farming and the lack of money to feed a family can cause major problems for farmers.
There are many more causes for world hunger. However, these are the most outstanding factors. Although it is an issue that requires considerable thought and requires an almost immediate solution, very few governments are doing anything about it. So, the next time you decide to throw away excess food, consider the people who are hungry around the world


Fall at the Mothership is always a time of transitions and maintenance and this year is no exception. Although the weather has remained warm during the day evenings are cool and we’ve had a few frosts. The beautiful golden colors in the mountains have come and gone and in the garden our focus for October was on planting our fall crop of garlic, growing dome maintenance, and transitioning the dome from summer crops such as tomatoes, chili peppers, spinach and cucumbers to winter hardy vegetables, herbs and greens. The abundance of tomatoes has led to a full freezer of hardy soups, red sauces, and flash frozen tomatoes that will definitely carry us through winter. We now have lettuce, baby kale, chard, cilantro, carrots, beets, and parsley growing in the dome. Additionally, our Meyer Lemon tree has a large crop turning from green to yellow. We expect to harvest them over the next few weeks. All sorts of interesting salsa and veggie recipes call for these sweet lemons.


With the extreme temperatures, coupled with the prolonged dry spell, water consumption has increased dramatically. Demand for water has doubled, and at times even tripled. With the forecast of triple digit temperatures this week, it is expected that the City’s wells and production facilities may be pushed to the limit. Therefore, the Water Department is urging all customers to water wisely during this unprecedented event in order to ensure all citizens have adequate water.
Here are some quick tips to keep in mind:
- Do not water between the hours of noon and 6:00 P.M. Water evaporates quickly during the times of high heat and watering may contribute to the grass burning in the intense sun. Optimal times to water are early morning between 4:00 A.M. to 8:00 A.M., and during the evening from 6:00 P.M. to 9 P.M. Watering after 9:00 P.M. is not recommended as it may promote non-desirable conditions which detract from the looks of the lawn.
- Be careful not to overwater. Adjust your irrigation timers appropriately so your grass gets the proper amount of water needed. If you are watering on a slope, water for a shorter amount of time and more frequently, ensuring enough time between cycles for the water to soak in.
- Trim the grass at the highest setting. Taller grass maintains better moisture content at the roots, developing a healthier root system.
- Check your irrigation system to ensure all heads are functioning properly. Adjust the heads so they are not watering asphalt or concrete, and are spraying a steady, consistent pattern, head-to-head, with larger water droplets. If replacements are needed, consider installing new MP (Matched Precipitation) Rotator sprinkler heads which water more efficiently while consuming less water. The pressure on the irrigation system should be between 30 to 45 psi, as sprinkler heads are designed to function efficiently in this range.
In order to prevent water shortages and pressure drops when temperatures consistently exceed 90 degrees, the Water Department recommends that you consider voluntary odd/even watering schedules. Odd numbered addresses water on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Even numbered addresses water on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. The Water Department understands the desire to keep lawns and green spaces healthy and visually pleasing, but we all must do our part to water wisely and ensure sufficient water for all the City’s customers.
If you have any questions or concerns, you may contact the Water Department at (208)769-2210.


Used in traditional Chinese and Tibetan medicine, Cordyceps Sinensis has recently been discovered in the west for its reported benefits in both health and energy. This medicinal mushroom powder (Bionectria ochroleuca, a fungal isolate from C. sinensis) is cultivated in pristine conditions from spores hand-collected in Nepal. It is an incredible daily anti-inflammatory immune booster and performance-enhancer (with reputed aphrodisiac qualities), currently undergoing extensive research in Asia for a wide range of potential benefits including:
- Energizing, anti-fatigue effects*
- Immune-boosting, cleansing*
- Relaxation of lung and vascular tissue*
- Cholesterol balancing*
- Testosterone enhancing*
- Blood sugar balancing*
- premium quality medicinal mushroom supplement
- whole food medicinal mushroom (no chemical isolates)
- extremely consistent nutritional profile for reliable dosage
- produced by source with decades of expertise
- tested for optimal genetics & absolute purity
- made exclusively from mycelial biomass (for increased bioactive profile)
- dried and processed BELOW 120F for maximum vitality
A 100% aseptic environment is crucial to the cultivation of pure, healthy mushrooms, so the growing chambers and the rice are sterilized at 250 F.
Then the growing medium is inoculated with pure mushroom spawns. This is one of the most crucial steps in creating a high quality final product. Our mushroom spawns are continually lab-tested and carefully nurtured and selected in order to ensure a vigorous and beneficial strain.
Once the spawn have germinated, the mycelial biomass is harvested and dehydrated BELOW 120 F (to protect beneficial compounds from heat and oxidation) then pulverized into a homogenous powder.
Finally, samples undergo rigorous microbial testing before being packaged and shipped to our warehouse for delivery to you!
IS IT CORDYCEPS SINENSIS?
The vast majority of "cordyceps" sold on the international market is, at best, of questionable origin and, at worst, of questionable efficacy and toxicity.
30 years ago, our source traveled to the highlands of Nepal to personally gather fresh cordyceps sinensis to cultivate for the American market. From their samples, they were able to isolate spores (free of microbes and toxins normally found in wild samples of cordyceps) and they began to grow this pure strain in their pristine organic and kosher certified facility.
Over the decades, this very high quality strain has been used by countless big supplement companies, boutique herb suppliers, herbalists, accupuncturists and traditional Chinese medical doctors, who have all reported this exceptional product to have incredibly powerful anti-inflammatory effects.
Recently, due to rampant uncertainty in the international cordyceps supply chain, high-end cultivators began using ribosomal DNA testing to ensure the accuracy of their spores. Our supplier discovered that their decades-old cordyceps strain was not identical to the genetic standard used to define cordyceps sinensis.
In its traditional environment, Cordyceps sinensis exist in a fungal community comprised of more than 500 species of different fungi. Western attempts to domesticate cordyceps spores have led to many different branches in the cordyceps family tree (rather than the blend found in the wild).
Our source discovered that their cultivated variety was Bionectria ochroleuca, a variety that lives in harmony with cordyceps, whose medical potential has recently begun to interest the research community. When they gave the option to their customers to switch to a validated strain of cordyceps, many said they preferred the existing strain and wished to continue using it. Thus, "Cordy-Gen®" was born as the trademark for this specific strain of fungal isolate from Cordyceps sinensis.
The complete description of this product is "mycelial biomass powder from cultured Bionectria ochroleuca, isolated from the fruiting bodies of Cordyceps sinensis collected in the Nepalese Himalayas" or for short "Bionectria ochroleuca, a fungal isolate from C. sinensis."


Yes, that is true. Although there are concerns that an increase demand in the market will lead to crops being grown for bioplastics as with bio-fuels. However, according to most of the producers of compostable plastics, the corn starch and sugar cane ethanol is extracted as a bi-product of the crop production, so the crop is being harvested for multiple purposes e.g. corn for animal production and sugar cane for sugar.
One of the issues with these materials is that they can’t be certified organic or GMO free because of the crops they come from. Another issue, previously mentioned is that even though they are plant-based they could still cause damage to animals as they won’t degrade if they become litter.


THE EUROPEAN MODEL BEHIND OUR LEMONS
Before they reach your table, our lemons are produced according to the world’s most exacting standards for food safety, traceability, environmental protection, and sustainability:
the European Production Model standards.
All of this makes European lemons unique in the world because of their origin, freshness, sustainability, and quality. You can receive them anywhere in Europe in just 48 hours, straight from the grove, and they’re so fresh!
OUR LEMON PRODUCTION
Global lemon production has been on the rise for the past decade. The global average is 5,700,000 t (2010-18).
Spanish-grown lemons represent 60% of European production at almost 1,000,000 t, adding up fresh and processed lemon production.
A Spanish fruit is number one in the world? HOORAY!
This is the main way lemons are used, with average global production of 3,600,000 t. Spain is the number one seller of fresh lemons, averaging 740,000 t.
This production is carried out for industry, which in recent years has diversified its use of lemons:
· Fresh juices and juice concentrates
· Extraction of essential oils, pulp, peel, pectin and/or flavonoid
· Manufacture of feed, fragrances, household products
· Obtaining of natural citric acid for the production of fresh preserves
Spain is the world’s second-largest producer of processed lemons, growing 236,375 t.
HOW OUR LEMONS ARE CONSUMED
Lemons are all the rage in Spain, in Europe, and around the world!
Below are some of the most important numbers to illustrate lemon consumption in recent years.
GLOBAL LEMON CONSUMPTION
In 2018, global consumption of fresh lemons reached 3,800,000 t, a 17% increase from 2010 and equivalent to 3.4 kg per person.
EUROPEAN LEMON CONSUMPTION
In 2016, 1,500,000 t of fresh lemons were consumed in Europe, an increase of 22% from 2010 and equivalent to 2.66 kg per person.
SPANISH LEMON CONSUMPTION
97% of Spaniards report that they consume lemons between two and four times a week, which is equivalent to consumption of 185,000 t (2018).


There are a number of reasons why we associate life on the farm with hard work. Independent farmers and the people they employ have some of the most demanding and time consuming jobs. Though we often think of robots changing the manufacturing floor, operating room, and even retail spaces, they’re also making things a little more automated on farms throughout the United States. The results mean greater yield in less time, fewer demands on individual farmers, and maybe even more natural crops.
Image Source: Argus Leader
Former state Agriculture Secretary Walt Bones says his father once employed 45 people full and part time on their operation northeast of Parker. ‘Now we’re farming more acres and have more cattle, and we’re doing it with eight people,’ Bones said. ‘It’s bigger tractors. It’s auto-steering and GPS mapping. We have all these sensors now on the combines and tractors.’ […] The technology revolution that has made [Dairy Farmer, Stuart] Plucker’s life simpler means less labor to help milk his cows as well. In the larger scheme, it means production agriculture has been able to move out of chemistry into biology — relying less on herbicides and pesticides to protect plants because genetic engineering has built that resistance right into the makeup of the seeds.
As with any case in which automation is being used to do jobs once done by people, there are concerns with how fewer human employment opportunities will have a local impact. However, the widespread benefits are becoming increasingly clear.
Has the increasing use of robotics and automated machinery in agriculture had an effect on your industry? What are your thoughts on the prevalence of such technology in this sector? Tell us what you think in the comments.


Arabica coffee is one of the most famous coffee varieties, with the largest cultivated area in the world.
Arabica is the most cultivated coffee in the world and accounts for about 60% of the total coffee production in the world. This is a lot, and the reason is simple, Arabica beans are the tastiest and sweetest, and coffee experts and fans highly appreciate this coffee.
Arabica is widely used in the preparation of coffee in the world. Despite the popularity of this coffee in the world,
the cultivation of Arabica coffee is a bit difficult, which is one of the reasons why it has a higher price than Robusta. These beans are a susceptible product.
You should know that Arabica has been given everything in the world of coffee, and because of its unique properties and taste, it has taken over the world market.
Due to its taste, aroma, growing conditions, and quality, Arabica coffee has a relatively higher price than Robusta coffee beans in the global coffee market. You can buy 100% Arabica coffee bags anywhere, but all coffee bags are 100% Arabica.
They are not of high quality. The type of farm, the type of cultivation, the geographical location, and the roasting significantly impact the taste and quality of coffee.
We collected high-quality Arabica coffee beans for you; for more information, contact us and visit our site.


The arid West is home to some of the longest continuously-farmed land in the United States. Indigenous
communities have farmed here for millennia, growing desert-adapted crops like the Three Sisters—corn, beans, and squash—on as few as three inches of rainfall per year and through long periods of severe drought.
Aridity is nothing new, but new pressures are taking a toll on agriculture. Extended drought and climate change are colliding with a booming population, spiking demand for food and fresh water. This demand is driving thirsty cities to turn to agricultural areas for new water supplies, which has led to water being sold off the land, and farmers and local businesses following suit.
To ensure a future with farmers, we must first ensure a future with water.


Man, this was the coolest e-mail ever.
John Phillips from the Philippines wrote to tell me how vermicomposting, prompted in part by the Urban Worm Company, has rejuvenated fertility on his property after a flood.
I just wanted to thank you for the help your advice has been to my gardens. We started using worm compost only a few months ago. After several disappointing failures in trying to grow vegetables and flowers on this previously fertile soil. When we bought the property everything was so green, but then there was a minor flood of a nearby stream that stripped away our top soil. Since that time we have not been able to grow anything except grass. The soil was dead and could not even sprout seeds!
Raised beds and worm compost using the square foot gardening techniques. NOW we have several thriving vegetable gardens and everything kind of flower and fruit tree you can imagine. Avacado, Key Lime, Lemon, Pomelo, Moringa, Banana, to name a few.
Everything is SO GREEN!
No chemicals, No pesticides, and we have very little pest problems. The reason is the SOIL IS SO HEALTHY!
We initially purchased worm compost but now have our own worm bin. As you can see from the photos attached we have brought back the dead soil to a beautiful garden of Eden.
I sometimes wonder if writing about this vermicomposting thing is worth the hassle considering how many other more authoritative resources already exist. But then along comes an e-mail like the one John just sent and it really recharges the batteries!
See the pictures below of what John is growing in what had been infertile soil.


4th European Conference on Agriculture & Horticulture is scheduled during September 16-17, 2019 in Amsterdam, the Netherlands with the theme of Innovations in Agriculture for a Sustainable Future, takes the privilege to invite speakers, participants, students, delegates and exhibitors from across the globe for the conference. Agriculture Conference is going to help the people who are directly or indirectly related to the Agriculture & Horticulture industry and academia. At this conference, people can share their views and ideas and can improve their knowledge about the advanced techniques to increase the productivity of the industries. Agriculture & Horticulture Conference invites a common platform for deans, directors, professors, students, research scholars and other participants including CEO, consultant, head of management, economist, project manager from business and industrial sectors across the world in order to establish a scientific relation between academic experts and other participants through information sharing and networking.…
A great opportunity to network with your peers from academia and industry:
Be the first to showcase your research, innovation and brand to gain competitive advantages. Meet your target audience and explore your product and services.
Beautiful location in the heart of the city


AGRICULTURAL INNOVATION OF THE YEAR AWARD, SPONSORED BY
Azarath OGBON, Winner of the FIDEA 2019 Agriculture Innovation of the Year Award with her company
In Benin, nearly one million tons of cashew apples are thrown away every year, spoiling an important economic and nutritional potential. Fresh Gulp was born out of our desire to contribute and be an important player in the realization of this potential. After two years of development, we transform cashew apple into juice to be sold through the distribution network we are developing throughout Benin and in other countries of the West African sub-region and soon in Europe.
From 10 thousand bottles in 2017 to 50 thousand bottles produced in 2019, it is more than 5 million FCFA of income generated for nearly 50 farmers in about fifteen villages in central Benin. It is also more than 100 tons of cashew apples saved from waste for the taste buds of our customers and the development of Benin.


Welcome to Home Grown Food
Get your starts going, it’s nearly time for our…
Saturday, May 5, 2018 br>
11 a.m. to 1:00 p.m br>
Avogadro’s Number br>
605 S. Mason St, Fort Collins
Check out our essential Zone 5 seed starting / sowing / transplanting calendar. Put it on your fridge, you’ll be lost without it. Designed and created by our member Robert Howard.
Click here or on the image above to download the PDF version.
One of our members, Alex Barnett, created this handy interactive calculator to help figure out when you should start your seeds indoors based upon the date you want them ready in a 2″ pot or a 4″ pot. Try it now…


Peter Staudenmaier writes in Paragraphs 41 to 43 of Anthroposophy and Ecofascism:
Biodynamic farming is based on Steiner's revelation of invisible cosmic forces and their effects on soil and flora. Anthroposophy teaches that the earth is an organism that breathes twice a day, that ethereal beings act upon the land, and that celestial bodies and their movements directly influence the growth of plants. Hence biodynamic farmers time their sowing to coincide with the proper planetary constellations, all a part of what they consider "the spiritual natural processes of the earth." [Footnote: Lindenberg, p. 134.]* Sometimes this "spiritual" approach takes unusual forms, as in the case of "preparation 500."
To make preparation 500, an integral component of anthroposophist agriculture, biodynamic farmers pack cow manure into a steer's horn and bury it in the ground. After leaving it there for one whole winter, they dig up the horn and mix the manure with water (it must be stirred for a full hour in a specific rhythm) to make a spray which is applied to the topsoil. All of this serves to channel "radiations which tend to etherealize and astralize" and thus "gather up and attract from the surrounding earth all that is ethereal and life-giving." [Footnote: Steiner, Lecture Four from the 1924 Course on Agriculture.]**
Non-anthroposophist organic growers are often inclined to dismiss such fanciful aspects of biodynamics as harmless, albeit pointless, appurtenances to an otherwise congenial cultivation technique. While this attitude has some merit, it is not reciprocated by biodynamic adherents, who emphasize that "The 'organic' farmer may well farm 'biologically' but he does not have the knowledge of how to work with dynamic forces—a knowledge that was given for the first time by Rudolf Steiner."[Footnote: Easton, p. 444]*** For better or worse, biodynamic farming is inseparable from its anthroposophic context.
This, I feel, is an accurate description of biodynamic farming. It is obvious that Peter Staudenmaier is highly suspicious of the non-sense-perceptible aspect, but he has not factually misrepresented it. That aspect makes more sense when explained by someone sympathetic to the aims of biodynamic farming should be obvious. With farming in particular a theoretical method can be judged by its effectiveness. Farmers are known for being practical and for being suspicious of highfalutin theories. The broad dissemination of biodynamic agriculture is therefore evidence of its practical success. If biodynamic farming is indeed inseparable from its anthroposophical context then this is powerful evidence that Steiner's understanding of invisible cosmic forces has real efficacy in practical reality.
* Once again Lindenberg yields a quote that is accurate. Peter Staudenmaier does his best to spin the respect for the earth and its spiritual aspects which are is inherent in Biodynamic farming into something both silly and dangerous, but the fact itself remains undisputed.
** I must note that Peter Staudenmaier has not cited a publisher or page-number for these short-phrase "quotations". The two phrases he quotes: "radiations which tend to etherealize and astralize" and "gather up and attract from the surrounding earth all that is ethereal and life-giving" are taken out of context, as Steiner never described the purpose of the preparation in those words. The first is taken from a sentence found on page 99 of the present German edition, "Dadurch, daß das Kuhhorn äußerlich von der Erde umgeben ist, strahlen alle Strahlen in seine innere Höhlung hinein, die im sinne der Ätherisierung und Astralisierung gehen." The 1958 translation by George Adams (page 74) from which Peter Staudenmaier probably took this reads, "Through the fact that it is outwardly surrounded by the earth, all radiations that tend to etherealize and astralise are poured into the inner hollow of the horn." Thus, it is not the spray that is made by mixing the contents of the horn that possesses the qualities, but the contents of the horn while it is in the earth. This is perhaps a minor point, but also very telling of the exactitude of Peter Staudenmaier's scholarship.
The second quote comes from the next sentence in the text, "And the manure inside the horn is inwardly quickened with these forces, which thus gather up and attract from the surrounding earth all that is ethereal and life-giving." The gathering up and attracting is done inside the buried cows horn, and not by the Preparation 500 once it has been spread.
In treating such a complex subject as the making of Preparation 500 and its use in such an offhand manner, Peter Staudenmaier has failed to adequately explain Steiner's carefully grounded indications. But then, his goal is merely to show how silly it all is, rather than to actually understand it.
See, Steiner, Rudolf. Agriculture. London: Bio-Dynamic Agricultural Association, 1972. Page 74.
"Unlike most farmers who farm in what they speak of as an "organic" manner, the biodynamic farmer recognizes fully that the earth has indeed lost much of its fertility and is losing more every day, and that it is simply not enough in the present age merely to refuse to use herbicides, insecticides and chemical fertilizer, and to manufacture compost from waste farm products in the traditional manner. These things in themselves are good as far as they go, but much more I needed to restore its lost fertility to the earth. The 'organic' farmer may well farm 'biologically' but he does not have the knowledge of how to work with dynamic forces—a knowledge that was given for the first time by Rudolf Steiner."
Easton 's statement is probably shared by many practicing biodynamic farmers, and represents what many would consider a simple fact. This does not mean that biodynamic farmers do not frequently make common cause with other organic farmers and supporters of sustainable agriculture. The movement is not nearly as insular as Mr. Peter Staudenmaier makes it out to be.


Fully automatic bagging machine for lithium carbonate powder was put into production and it is also a big progress of our automat bagging machine to pack chemical fine powders.
Compeletely fish meal processing and packing line was Successfully put into production in Argentina.
20t/h cattle feed batching and bagging system was installed in our client's factory. This whole system is used to produce and pack various poultry and livestock feed such as chicken, duck, cattle, pig, rabbit, etc. M&J Machinery can supply you customized solutions with advanced feed processing technology and professional service.
10 sets of corn starch packaging machines have been running for 18 months without any trouble. Our customer is very satisfied with our corn starch packaging machines.
Compeletely automatic packing machine Successfully put into production
2020-11-25How to classify packing machines


Production & Cultivars
The focus in our cellar is to produce wines of exceptional quality that can feed our own brands as well as those of other wine companies who buy in bulk from us.
Cultivars planted in our valley are:
White: Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Chardonnay, Colombar, Hanepoot, Viognier, Pinot Gris, Riesling and Clairette
Red: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Shiraz, Pinotage, Ruby Cabernet, Pontac and Tinta Barocca
The most effective equipment are employed to produce our wines and store it under the best conditions possible We also strive to make sure that our cellar practices are taking the environment into consideration. The latest initiative where the effect on the environment is minimised, is the management of our effluent water in collaboration with the Theewaterskloof Municipality, where both parties benefit from our disposal technique.
Our viticulture practices are aimed at maximizing the product quality and yield per block. Latest technology in irrigation and advice from our irrigation specialist ensures optimal application of scarce water resources.
We are lucky to have the influences of four messo climates in the Villiersdorp area who bring about different characteristics of the cultivars planted. These areas are:
- The Bossieveld north east of Villiersdorp with hotter dry conditions and lower
- Villiersdorp Valley with the cooling effect of the two mountain ranges
surrounding our valley and deep soils on the valley floor
- Theewaterskloof Dam where vines are planted on the south west side of the
dam on sandstone and clay soils. Prevailing winds over the dam have a
cooling effect on the vineyards and thus longer ripening periods
- Eerstehoop is on the northern side of the Groenlandberg between Villiersdorp
and Bot River. Soils are mainly shale.


On the 14th of December 2020, Africa University celebrated the amazing staff of the institutions’ Dream Farm Trust, recognizing individual and collective excellence and service to the institution, its community and the region of Manicaland at the annual Farm Worker of the Year Awards.
Categorized as essential services, the university farm adapted its business model at the onset of the COVID- 19 Pandemic offering door to door deliveries to ensure that families in the community retained access to fresh and nutritious food and to also keep supermarkets in the City of Mutare well stocked with farm fresh produce. Farm activities did not cease for a single day and operations continued full throttle despite national lockdown restrictions.
2020 has been a challenging year in which the COVID-19 Pandemic presented itself as a threat to many industries but also offered opportunities for new ways of doing business, for innovation and for adaptation to the VUCA environment that pushed so many economic sectors to the brink. Viewed by many as an accelerator, COVID- 19 has also urged the adoption of technology across the world , especially at Africa University , from virtual meetings, to online learning , to webinars which have become the norm. The Africa University Dream Farm was no different and has grown from the Pandemic stronger and more determined.
Vice Chancellor Professor Munashe Furusa said at the awards ceremony held on the Mutare Main Campus,
“As we go forward, agriculture shall drive our economy. We are grateful for the work our employees are doing. It gives me great pleasure to share this day with you. A day where we honor men and women who are passionate and show deep commitment to their work. Mrs. Marsha Dorgan sponsors so many students at Africa University and she is also a key pillar and founding supporter of the Dream Dairy which is a subsidiary of the Dream Farm Trust. We are immensely grateful for this undying support. We are also very grateful to Professor Abercrombie, Dr. Hope Abercrombie and the Kies Family that has carried the burden of raising resources and friends for this farm and university. We are truly blessed to have you. Friends of the farm continue to donate resources to the housing of staff and today we shall also commission the fourth such house built for this purpose. In March, the future of the farm looked bleak due to the uncertainties brought about by the COVID-19 Pandemic. While the University teaching arm went virtual, our farm adapted and did the same by embracing E- Commerce and creating an online store. These times call for new ways of thinking and doing things, new innovations, new methods and new techniques. The Dream Farm products are currently being rebranded and are going online. In fact ,ours may be the only farm in the Manicaland region that is now selling its products online.”
Prof Furusa went on to highlight the impeccable production record of the farm and the many exciting projects that are in the pipeline. The VC also thanked major partners and sponsors who have added to the successes realized throughout the year,
“I thank our partners who continue to stand with us in these difficult and uncertain times with special thanks to SeedCo who have supported us with Maize and Soybean seeds, Agriculture Research Trust, Bayer Chemicals, Command Agriculture for Wheat , Maize and Soybeans and Charter Seeds for vegetable seeds. Looking forward to 2021 and beyond, the farm plans to set up Maize and Wheat milling plants and to commercialize some of its products in line with the university’s thrust for innovation and industrialization. The College of Agriculture Health and Natural Sciences has just received approval of the food processing program meaning we will be working closely with farmers in the region to begin processing foods. We have set ourselves the task of becoming a world-class university and evidence of this is seen in the quality of our staff and students.”
Dean of the College of Health , Agriculture and Natural Sciences Professor Sungano Mharakurwa echoed the message for continuous improvement and innovation put forth by the VC saying,
” Farm workers are our unsung heroes. Our farm is reaching self- sufficiency in providing food to the university and also advancing in our Hydroponics endeavors. Farm work is not for the feint of heart, nor for the lazy. It takes hard work, honesty and determination. Our students in the Agriculture programs always fondly recall their practical lessons at our farm as it serves as preparation for the tillers and managers of our land, our heritage, that they shall become. We humbly appreciate our farm workers who do so much.”
Farm Manager Mr. Trevor Mupofu praised the amazing team that supports the vision of the farm and helps to bring it to fruition .
“I work together with a committed group of men and women who are at work at 5am and leave work into the next day departing for home at 12am. The farm and our efforts are complemented by very experienced personnel. I have learnt so much from my work mates and where we are now is a testimony to how far we have come. To keep our staff motivated we have created a performance mechanism in collaboration with Ms. Washaya of the i5Hub, where we recognize the farmer of the month. This culminates in the farm worker of the year awards which we have today. Mrs. Marsha Dorgan has been instrumental in the establishment of the AU Dream Dairy and she is a major sponsor of this event and the university. Our awards are in the following categories, Outstanding Female Worker of the Year, Farm Worker of the Year, Dairy Worker of the Year and Farm Supervisor of the Year. Our guiding principle is that with God, all things are possible.”
The farm’s activities are wide ranging with the university showing impeccably well in the industry in the areas of poultry, dairy and wheat farming. The institutions’ Broiler section has a throughput of 2000 birds per fortnight while the layers section has a capacity of 6000 birds with a production rate of 150 crates of eggs per day on average. The Dream Dairy, known for producing one of the best yogurt products on the market, is big on value addition. The Sheep and Goats section where the Dorper Sheep Project has already begun to make waves is a thriving concern. Bee Keeping has also been added to the raft of enterprises that the farm is embarking on in 2021 . In addition to this, the reclamation of seven dams that were previously used for flooding storage for flood irrigation have been reclaimed and shall become fish ponds with a carrying capacity of 5400 Tilapia Bream.
On the beef production end, a pilot project has been conducted to evaluate the capacity for beef pen fattening where the prospects look positive for the upscaling of the butchery arm of the farm. The Piggery that currently holds 50 Pig sowers has already seen the farm being recognized as the best pig breeder in Manicaland and the second in the nation.
Crops grown at the farm include Soybeans, Potatoes, Cabbages, Tomatoes and Winter Wheat with a 40 Hectare yield being recorded by the farm for the first time in its history for the year 2020.
This edition of the annual Farm Worker of the Year Awards also served as an occasion for the university to bid farewell to Mr. Larry Kies who is retiring after serving as a lecturer and the Farm Technical Advisor since joining the university in 2002 in the College of Health, Agriculture and Natural Sciences. Known to many as a friend, Mr. Kies and his wife Jane (who taught in the Intensive English Programme for international students in the College of Social Sciences, Theology, Humanities and Education) , have consistently showed their passion and love for the mission of the university answering the call to serve. Larry and Jane have been instrumental in fundraising activities for the farm that has resulted in the upgrade and modernization of critical farm equipment and machinery over the years.
In his parting remarks, Mr. Kies said on behalf of his wife and their family,
“Mazvita! (Thank you). When we meet people , whether we work together or not, we should always look for that which we have in common. What do we share together? That is the root of success. Mr. Mpofu, I am grateful that we found common ground in our passion for hard work and farming together. The same applies to the entire university for our common ground and interest in seeing Africa University grow and develop. They say you can take the boy out of Africa but you cannot take Africa out of the boy. I will continue to be involved in teaching and with Africa University. May we always find things that we can share together as we move forward.”
A farm house was also commissioned by VC Professor Munashe Furusa that shall provide accommodation to Mr. Derera, the university farm driver and his family . In line with the thrust to make Africa University the best place to serve, accommodation of farm staff remains a critical priority area due to the odd hours that the nature of work calls for with close proximity to the university farm greatly easing the lives of farm employees. The three bedroomed home has been generously built with funds donated by the First United Methodist Church in Wichita , Kansas.


We are already starting to see asparagus on the shelves in France, even if the real season starts in May.
There are two kinds of asparagus available in France : small green asparagus and larger white asparagus that grow underground. Purple asparagus is actually white asparagus that has been allowed to grow out of the ground and whose tips turn purple under the effect of light.
The green ones are popular south of the Loire where they are eaten fried with garlic and olive oil. The white ones are rather cultivated north of the Loire and are eaten boiled or steamed with various sauces: mayonnaise, hollandaise, vinaigrette.
The main producing regions are the Loire Valley, the South-West, the South-East and Alsace (the best according to the Alsatian that I am). To celebrate the opening of the asparagus season, our muse Billie puts pretty Alsatian asparagus on a Gien cake dish as Martha Stewart would do.


Continuing with our monthly ingredient series, for June we’re talking all about dates! We’re paying homage to the rich history and flavor of this ancient, special fruit. Their exceptional versatility and intrigue makes them an excellent choice to experiment with for healthy recipes. And of course they’re a bulk bin staple so readily available to buy with a reusable bag or container.
Dates have the honor of being the oldest cultivated fruit in the world. Records show dates being cultivated in the Middle East for 6,000 years. Fossil records indicate date palms living in the environment 50 million years ago.
You may have even seen the date palm here in South Florida. It’s grown throughout the area and has a very distinct appearance. Though grown easily, the conditions in Florida prevent the actual fruit from maturing enough to eat. The fruit may form but will drop before it becomes edible. Date palms are desert palms originating from the Middle East and prefer cooler climates with less humidity. They were brought to California by the Spanish in the 1800s where today 95% of the U.S. grown dates are produced. Specifically, they’re grown in the Coachella Valley. You can spot them in the Coachella Music Festival flyers.
Mostly you’ve seen dried dates. Personally we can’t say where fresh are sold, nor have we tried them. So for this article and all the recipes on the way, we’re talking about dried dates. There are hundreds of varieties of dates and about a dozen that you can purchase here in the US. We will be featuring the Medjool date that we sell in the shop. This date is often referred to as the “diamond of dates.” They are large and a dark brown-amber color. Though all dates have their purposes and reasons to shine, the Medjool is the diamond for good reason. Its prized for its perfectly chewy texture and its sticky sweetness. The Medjool date can easily be a snack on its own. They have a caramel flavor and a honey sweetness. Once reserved for Moroccan royalty and their guests, it’s considered a symbol of regality.
You may have also noticed that dates are expensive. Growing dates is very labor intensive and requires a lot of time and attention. Each tree is hand pollinated, a job usually reserved for wind. The fruits don’t ripen at the same time so they have to be meticulously checked and individually hand-picked at different times. Farmers also often need to cover ripening fruit to protect from insects or birds. All this contributes to the somewhat painful price tag of dried dates.
Not only are dates delicious and attractive, they also have a bounty of nutritional benefits. Much like their prune cousins, they’re an exceptional source of fiber and can help get things moving better than most fruits. Just eating a few a day can have noticeable effects. They also contain high amounts of potassium, copper, manganese and are a great source of antioxidants. Dates have a low glycemic index which means they don’t cause blood sugar to spike the way processed sugar does, making them an ideal sweet treat.
With their natural, caramel sweetness and health benefits, dates make an ideal ingredient to experiment with and we’re excited to share all the ways to use them. From baked goods and nut milks, to vegan desserts and energy bars, we have some great recipes coming in the next few weeks that we think you’ll enjoy!


Dr. Bedabrata Saha
Department of Life Science and Bioinformatics, Assam University, Silchar, India
Title of Presentation: Title: Genetic Engineering for climate intelligent crops
Plants being sessile needs to face the wrath of changing environment and hence a serious threat to crop productivity worldwide. In turn plants also elicits responses to tolerate/ avoid these changing environment. These stress responses vary, depending on stress, duration and intensity; and many a times plants succumbs. Genetic engineering of crop plants for re-programming of stress responses is of utmost necessity for agricultural sustainability. Here I shall present two stories: development of transgenic Brassica juncea (Indian mustard) for drought and salinity
tolerance; AtALMT1 overexpression in blackgram enhances its tolerance for aluminum toxicity in acid soil. In the first story overexpression of an Arabidopsis Late Embryogenesis Abundant protein (AtLEA4-1) rendered Indian mustard tolerant to drought and salinity in controlled environmental conditions. Whereas, in the second malate transporter (AtALMT1) overexpression led to exudation of malate in a citrate exuding plant species blackgram leading to enhanced aluminum tolerance in acid soil.
Dr. Bedabrata Saha pursued his M.Sc Biochemistry from School of Biochemistry, Devi AhilyaVishwavidyalaya followed by Ph.D from Department of Life Science and Bioinformatics, Assam University, Silchar. During his Ph.D he carried out his work on ‘Genetic engineering of Brassica juncea for drought tolerance’. In the meantime, he served as JRF/SRF in a CSIR, India funded project. He has qualified CSIR NET, GATE, NE SLET. After completion of his PhD, he is currently serving as a Research Associate under the mentorship of Prof. Sanjib Kumar Panda at Department of Life Science and Bioinformatics, Assam University, Silchar.


If itâs mild, then you can keep at it depending on the rainfall in your region. This not only means providing the water our gardens need, but using it wisely. When our trees go without a source of water, especially on warm windy days, they need almost as much water as they do in the summer. Your goal is to get water down to about 12 inches below ground level – that’s where trees can best access it. Still, donât waterlog the #3: Keep Prepare for sudden fall frosts by checking your local weather report. Succulents are considered low-maintenance plants even when grown indoors. Even in winter, itâs best to leave our grass tall. Be sure to give their weekly water bath but you may need to supplement with an extra misting once a week. Copyright Leaf Group Ltd. // Leaf Group Lifestyle. This natural compound is found in certain desert plants and helps these plants overcome the adverse growing conditions of the desert. Avoid placing your plants near If you have plants in rooms where a humidifier is working overtime, then you probably donât need to water them as much. When watering, apply around an inch of new water to your garden. Trees and larger landscape perennials should be watered between the trunk and the drip line for best effect, while smaller plants can be watered anywhere near their crowns. A general rule of thumb is supply 10 gallons of water for each diameter inch of the tree (measured 6 inches above ground level). But rather than stop watering altogether, itâs best to wean them from weekly watering to â¦ If you have brought lavenders indoors for winter protection then they will need to be watered once every 4-6 weeks so that they do not dry out completely. Plants don't need as much care in winter as they do in summer, but it's important not to neglect watering your plants over the winter. Established trees have a larger root zone and so may be able to draw enough water from the surrounding soil. If you do fertilize, do it sparingly. © 2020 LAM Tree Service, Inc. All rights reserved. It is imperative that lavenders are planted in soil that is porous and allows water to drain quickly. Once you see the plant setting new growth (typically in late February or March) you may start feeding again. If itâs a cold winter, no. Apply water at mid-day to give it time to soak in before the ground freezes at night. In fall, plants do not need as much water as they may have needed in summer. If the plants are in pots, you need Spread at least an inch of mulch over the ground. Myth: Water in the Air is Sufficient One common myth is that air plants will get all the water they need from the air. Itâs even Growing plants in containers is a great way to bring life and colour into otherwise dull spots in your garden. While it's important to irrigate trees in autumn, it might not be clear when to do so and you need to pinpoint the right time to water. Water for Plants During Winter Your plants wonât need as much water during their dormancy as they do in the spring and summer, but be sure to water them deeply a few times a month. Exceptions to drying out between watering: Potted â¦ Water is a precious resource and supplies in the UK are under pressure from the effects of climate change, population increase and the need to protect the environment, such as river levels for wildlife. Dilute the fertilizer by 50 percent or more. If youâre keeping tropical plants outside over winter, just keep the trays filled with about an inch of water and the greenhouse cover will do a fine job of keeping that moisture in and that humidity up! To further protect your valuable trees and landscape plantings, we offer a supplemental soil conditioner as part of our Winter Watering Program. But we don't just sprinkle or pour water over your plants. We have a water truck that will bring irrigation water to your property. Prepare for sudden fall frosts by checking your local weather report. Fill it up at the kitchen faucet and slowly water your plants, being careful to cover the full root zone area. If rainfall is not sufficient, youâll need to water during the winter to maintain a healthy lawn. Here is a look at when to water trees in the fall and when not to. Avoid getting water on the plants’ stems and leaves when you water in the winter. Show You Know: Be sure to take the quick quiz at the end of the post. You donât need to irrigate when the soil has sufficient moisture from rain. To prevent root damage it’s critical to provide supplemental water during extended dry periods – even in winter. The roots need a chance to absorb the water before it freezes, so try to soak them at least 24 hours before the frost. This eventually causes the roots of the sod to suffocate and die, leaving your lawn with a very shallow Keeping the plants clean Winter is a great Plants in containers do require more care than those in gardens, but by following our advice you will find this easy. Plants are inactive during the winter so they don’t need much water, but if the soil completely dries out they risk damage from wind and dehydration. To make sure water is getting to the most critical roots, apply water at least all the way to the drip line. Plants need only a little water when dormant, water sparingly as too much wet will be fatal. According to the Colorado State University Extension service, the commonly-planted trees listed below will need supplemental watering during extended dry fall and winter periods. If you have only a few smaller plants, you can use a watering can or bucket. However, making sure your plants have adequate hydration is the best way to protect them harsh weather. How often you need to water plants depends on the weather too. Watch sunny parts of your garden for shallow-rooted plants that have heaved, or raised out of the soil due to repeated freezing and thawing. Plan to give the garden a deep watering every two to three weeks until the first frost. Stop Watering In Early Dormant perennial plants don't need light over winter, but they do appreciate a little water every now and then to keep the roots from completely drying. Most of the time we donât need to water in winter, but if things are really Dry air means watering. Succulents , on the other hand, are different. Some ice or wind damage is unavoidable, but a lot of cold weather damage to plants’ cells is caused by dehydration. This is especially helpful in times of winter drought. When placed in the root zone, it helps trees and turf in much the same manner. The easiest option for watering your landscape plants and trees in winter is to call us at 303-674-8733! A good rule of thumb is, if the ground isnât frozen and weâve gone without any precipitation for a week, evergreens need to be watered. Plants naturally release water through their leaves by transpiring, so grouping them together will put that moisture to good use. This article explains how to overwinter your plants in a cold frame. But newly planted and transplanted trees and shrubs will need extra watering throughout the cold winter months. That's why you should be watering all susceptible plants at least every three weeks during the winter. Just be sure to drain it completely when you’re done. Dry air means watering. Plan the perfect garden with our interactive tool →. You’re probably wondering how to water your plants in winter when you’ve already shut off the irrigation, blown out the lines and put the hoses away. Anticipate needing to water your lawn during the fall to keep your grass healthy and prepared That's why you should be watering all susceptible plants at least every three weeks during the winter. If you do not have a humidifier, you're going to need to raise the humidity level by other means. How To Protect Potted Strawberry Plants An unheated garage, barn, or shed are all great options for giving potted strawberries protection. You’ll probably need to make multiple trips to get enough water to your plants. Grass plants do not need, and neither can use, a large amount of water, as it forces oxygen, vital to plant growth, out of the soil. How to Care for Succulents Indoors During the Winter. Our hoses can reach most areas of a typical property and our crew will ensure that all of your thirsty plants get a good soak whenever they need it throughout the winter. The roots need a chance to absorb the water before it freezes, so try to soak them at least 24 hours before the frost. If you cut your lawn severely last fall or mow it in winter so that top growth is very short, it will dry out faster. They have thickened, fleshy and engorged leaves or stems, usually to retain water in arid climates or soil conditions . Even if you have to water in the winter, you can normally water less often than you would in the summertime. Water your garden even when the ground is frozen during a long winter dry spell. All Rights Reserved. Ice sitting on foliage can kill it or cause it to break off. Watering helps aerate the soil and warm the roots, and plants can't get enough moisture from the soil when it's frozen. When you water plants, itâs often best to remove them from the saucer you keep them in and run them under a tap. Plants in windy locations will need more water. Plants in a garden can rely on rain for an occasional drink. Start by clustering your plants in groups. Covering the Foothills & Mountains West of Denver. And conifers, which retain their needles during winter, will also need regular water. In general, plants grown in a closed ecosystem like a greenhouse need more care and attention than plants grown out of doors. Watering is key to growing plants well, so here we look at how to get it just right. So, do you water grass in the winter? Mulch your garden with leaves and compost in the fall after pulling spent annuals and cutting back perennials. In many regions, normal winter precipitation is enough for plants because their cold weather watering needs are considerably less. Watering your plants during the morning when you are able is the best thing you can do for them. Then again, some houseplants will grow leggy if they donât get enough light . Patios, balconies and window boxes are all places where plants can be easily introduced in containers. Water helps plants recover from stress and the trauma of the cold snap. Drip or trickle irrigation is also successful in the home garden. Low light levels is the other problem, do not be tempted to overwinter in a shed or garage, the lack of light will mean the plant cannot thrive. Plants do have their natural survival mode and many houseplants go dormant in winter, which makes them grow slower and tolerate a little lower light levels. Watering your plants before a frost will protect them from damage caused by freezing. If you see a plant has heaved, push it back into the soil as soon as possible and give it some extra mulch to keep it shaded and prevent the soil from thawing. It also nourishes roots and keeps them warm. Provide supplemental water from October through March. If the weather looks like it’ll be warm for a few days, you may want to take out a hose and use that. Yes, but there are several caveats. Both of these ingredients are OMRI listed making this process an organic treatment. By watering in the morning, the soil and roots have time to soak up all the water because the temperatures drop in the evening. During the winter, most plants slow down so they donât need as much water. If youâre not able to reliably water your landscape this winter, keep reading for information about our Winter Watering Program, give us a call at 303-674-8733 or â¦ If you humidify winter rooms, plants won't need water as often. Top Winter Tip: As the temperature drops and the metabolism of your fish slows, your fish become slower moving and unable to find shelter in the absence of plants. A good way to direct the water to the plants is to dig a little trench around the plants and allow water to flow into it. Two special ingredients are mixed with the water to help soil retain moisture and allow plants to grow with less water. Even in years with above-average moisture, the ground can dry out quickly in fall (especially with warm, windy conditions). Make sure to pull all mulch several inches away from the base of the trunk. Plants don’t need as much care in winter as they do in summer, but it’s important not to neglect watering your plants over the winter. You should monitor your houseplants and water when they need it, rather than on a schedule. Here in Colorado, winter months (usually October through March) bring dry air, wind, low precipitation and little to no snow cover to provide soil moisture. Do you have tender plants that need care during winter? Pile up some extra mulch around any new saplings or plants that have been planted within the last year. If you’re not able to reliably water your landscape this winter, keep reading for information about our Winter Watering Program, give us a call at 303-674-8733 or click the button to request an estimate. In many regions, normal winter â¦ In some hotter places, you should even water the plants twice a day â once in the morning and once in the evening. No mulch volcanoes. Many home gardeners include a water feature, such as a pond, to add interest to the landscape and create a relaxing oasis to retreat from the chaos of daily life.Water gardens require year-round maintenance, even in winter, and unless you are lucky enough to have a professional groundskeeper, this chore will fall to you. Water your garden thoroughly in the fall, and deeply water newly planted saplings and shrubs. Water for winter thirst Water is vital in the winter months when there is not adequate rainfall. Frequency of watering will depend on the size and type of plant, size and type of pot, temperature, humidity and rate of growth. For example, a two-inch diameter tree needs 20 gallons per watering. Water plants during the winter only after long dry spells of two weeks or more. Just curious if when you plant winter seeds do you need to water them? The lack of moisture can result in death to plant roots before the winter is over. In winter plants may require water once every two weeks. Plants don’t need as much care in winter as they do in summer, but it’s important not to neglect watering your plants over the winter. All plants, including grass The first ingredient is a humic acid supplement chosen because of its ability to build healthy soil. Use Soil Conditioner for Extra Protection, ← Best Spring-Flowering Trees for the Denver Foothills, Norway, silver, red, Rocky Mountain and hybrid maples. Would be pretty weird to be honest, since the water would just freeze, no? Place 2 – 4 inches of mulch around the base of plants to help retain valuable moisture in the soil. Aim to water one to two times per month during the winter. For cold-shocked plants, one of the best things you can do, is to water them. Yes you do. The second component is a yucca extract (a concentrated plant extract meal containing steroid saponin). Although trees and shrubs are dormant during winter, they still need water to survive. We use enough water to simulate a ½” of rainfall in the root zone of the plant. Water woody plants like shrubs and saplings away from the trunk because ice can damage the bark. Water only when temperatures are above 40 degrees Fahrenheit and there is no snow cover. Mulch protects your topsoil and helps it retain water. However, making sure your plants have adequate hydration is the best way to protect them harsh weather. Some ice or wind damage is unavoidable, but a lot of cold weather damage to plants' cells is caused by dehydration. This makes them vulnerable to herons, so you should install appropriate pond netting or heron deterrents . You have a couple of options for winter watering, some of which are easier than others. Unless you live in an arid climate with warm winter temperatures, potted strawberries need protection from freezing out. For trees, layer the mulch at least as far out as the drip line. Curling leaves and dry tips are signs that your air plants may need more winter moisture. Trees can have a root zone equal to or greater than their height (that’s often beyond the edge of the drip line). On a sunny summer day you might need to water plants twice a day. Do the watering mid-day to give the plants a chance to absorb the moisture before night temperatures freeze the water. The water (including soil conditioner as described below, if desired) is injected into the soil at a 6”-12” depth where most of the absorbing roots are found. Learn which plants thrive in your Hardiness Zone with our new interactive map! The plants in your greenhouse, however, are entirely dependent on you for every drop that they receive.