Marshfield homeowners have been having a hard time lately. A very hot summer combined with severe drought conditions have combined to wreak havoc on local lawns. Once green yards are now khaki-colored and dry. As landscape contractors, we’re hearing about it. People are worried that their grass is dead, but that panic may be premature.
Here’s the thing: grass can be an incredibly resilient plant. Some varieties, including Kentucky Bluegrass, Tall Fescue, and Zoysia can tolerate prolonged drought conditions and still look pretty good. You may have noticed your Marshfield lawn service mowing less often this year, or leaving the grass a little longer than usual: these strategies help grass retain moisture, helping them survive these dry conditions.
Here is Western Massachusetts, a lot of the grasses people have in their yards are cool weather grasses. These varieties will go dormant when they’re not getting enough moisture. When grass is dormant, it looks like it is dead. It will be brown and crunchy and by all appearances look like it is no longer alive.
If your lawn is dead, you’re going to be sad until you reseed the lawn and new grass grows. Your Marshfield landscape designer can help you select grass and ground covers that are hardy enough to survive our challenging growing conditions. But if your lawn is not dead and is merely dormant, you don’t need to plant more grass. Your grass will recover its normal green appearance and begin growing again once it receives an adequate supply of water.
To tell if your grass is dead or dormant requires patience. We’re all waiting for these drought conditions to alleviate. Once rains return, dormant grass will turn green again. This may take until later in the fall, or even until next spring. If your grass doesn’t start growing in the spring, you’ll know it is truly dead and will need to have your yard reseeded.


While the seeds are sprouting in the greenhouse and the ground is thawing, there is plenty of community collaboration and resource planning to do! Over the past few weeks, I have become acquainted with some of the neighborhoods in which the Tiny Diner and Honey House Farm reside. The Tiny Diner borders four major neighborhoods – Powderhorn Park, Bancroft, Bryant, and Central. The Honey House Farm is part of the Longfellow area, which is organized by the Longfellow Community Council. Within these neighborhoods alone, I have attended workshops, meetings and events about local food and urban agriculture. There are many innovative and cooperative community-building efforts in these areas.
One event was the 2013 Urban Agriculture Expo at the Sabathani Community Center (if you have not gone to an event at Sabathani, I suggest you do. It is a hub for many diverse classes and communities in the Twin Cities). The Expo was sponsored by the NCR Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) and the University of Minnesota Extension in Hennepin County, this free (donations accepted) event included workshops on agricultural business planning, sustainable growing methods, local food policies, and community engagement. Each workshop looked quite full, 20-60 people in each.
In addition to workshops, there were vendor booths about farming techniques, local farms and CSAs, and other local food initiatives in the Twin Cities. I visited each booth to meet and greet, discuss their projects, and to tell them about the up-and-coming Tiny Diner restaurant and Farm just east of Sabathani. The vendors included Stone’s Throw and Growing Lots urban farms, Homegrown Minneapolis, Wirth Cooperative Grocery Store, Gardens of Eagan, The Women’s Environmental Institute, Permaculture Research Institute – Cold Climate, Southwoods Permaculture Design, and many other vendors. Maybe next year, the Tiny Diner and Honey House Farm can add a booth to this rich urban farming event.
Another event I attended was the Hack Factory’s Minne Faire. This event showcased electronic, wood, and metal makers’ inventions and art
pieces. As an interactive event, there was a mobile sauna, a woman carving a violin, a peddle-powered honey extractor (Beez Kneez Delivery), a catapult in the street, a pedi-truck, and other intricate and innovative inventions I couldn’t begin to describe. With food and indoor/outdoor exhibits, this is a good place to peruse and find builders and designers who can build the idea you’ve had stuck in your head.
My next stop: checking in on the land. – Koby JH


While not directly connected to Stanford University, Luther Burbank (1849 - 1926) was an acquaintance of David Starr Jordan, and Burbank Hall is named in honor of him.
A trained botanist and horticulturist, Burbank developed hundreds of strains of plants through experimental crossbreeding, using the basics of heredity to cultivate new varieties of plants for human usage: the Shasta daisy and the Russet Burbank Potato, for example. Many of these plants are still in use today.
Fascinated by the breeding of plants, Burbank attempted to apply his knowledge of plant heredity to human reproduction. In his 1907 The Training of the Human Plant, Burbank described a system of eugenics that would treat humans in the same manner as a horticulturist treated plants. Just as the bad qualities of plants can be bred out through crossbreeding, so too could “unfit” qualities in humans be eradicated through eugenics.
As such, according to Burbank, “it would, if possible, be best absolutely to prohibit in every State in the Union the marriage of the physically, mentally and morally unfit.”
Burbank Hall is named after Luther Burbank.


Who We Are
Vanguard Farms International Is The
World’s Premier Cannabis Company
We are expert farmers and cultivators of Cannabis and CBD Flower. We strive to reform the industry with a 100% organtic and ethical approach. We are motivated to refine the entire process of Cannabis production using a modern stable genetic profile to enhance the entire ecosystem. Exception and evolution define our priorities.
WHAT INSPIRES US?
Natural Green Plants
Our vision is to provide Cannabis and information to all those who desire quality, education, and growth under one roof. Our aim supports the Cannabis industry through innovation that restores health through integrity and our desire to serve our customers. With every plant, extract, or any raw product, you will find our foundation built on respect for nature and ethics.
Eco Friendly Farming
We plant by hand with optimal spacing to achieve high yields with unaffected quality. It produces the results we desire with as little effect on the environment as possible.
Pesticide and Chemical Free
Besides nurturing soil with fresh Gunnison River water, we tend to our Cannabis plants with care. That’s why we only use organic nutrients that enhance the plants’ qualities.
Our team carefully harvests the plants by hand, following our protocols to ensure they retain maximum quality. It takes significantly more time, but we believe it’s worth it.
We dry and store the harvested plants in refrigerated containers that allow us to control the humidity and the temperature. Our team constantly monitors these factors to ensure the exact outcome we are looking for.
Why Vanguard Farms International
Vanguard Farms Int. Takes Immense Pride In Our Core Values That Inspire Us
We are a trusted name in the cannabis industry. At Vanguard Farms Int., we are passionate about providing you with premium cannabis products to choose from. We swear upon these fundamental work values; integrity, passion, respect, compassion, inclusivity, teamwork, results, and commitment. At Vanguard Farms, all these values work in harmony to build a robust foundation in the industry.
We Are Farmers
We Are Genetics
We Are Florist
We Are Scientists
What We Do?
We are the leading producer of American Cannabis, and our quality products are there to change people’s lives. Our experts efficiently harvest our plants by hand using the latest techniques according to state-approved regulations to produce remarkable Cannabis.
Vanguard Farms Int. firmly believes that premium hand harvested Cannabis should be easily accessible to the public. We are constantly available to provide you with the essential information, product knowledge, and support regarding our practices and finished products
Smiles Are True Testimonials!
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Iowa Healthiest State Initiative is now inviting direct marketing produce farmers to apply to participate in the 2019 Double Up Food Bucks season, expected to run from May 1 – October 31. Applications are being collected by the Iowa Healthiest State Initiative (HSI) which facilitates the Double Up Food Bucks (DUFB) program at farmers markets throughout the state.
Questions? Please contact the Iowa Healthiest State Initiative at firstname.lastname@example.org
All fields marked with * are required.
To qualify, produce vendors must:
If vendor is responsible for SNAP EBT card acceptance please complete the following questions:
Double Up Food Bucks Surveys
Iowa Double Up Food Bucks Stakeholder Meeting Invite
Double Up Locations in Iowa


Vertical gardening has been gaining popularity lately. Besides being a planting solution that saves space, vertical gardens are a unique and highly customisable option to display your favourite plants at home.
We break down the key benefits of installing a green wall (or more!) at home, and show you how to get on this growing trend!
Why get a vertical garden?
Just in case you need more reasons why vertical gardening is the new greening way to go:
1. A vertical garden is a great conversation starter. Transform a plain wall with greenery that will surely impress your guests. With your vertical garden as the focal decorative showpiece in your flat, there is also no need to invest in expensive art to dress up your walls.
2. It improves the air quality in your home. Plants help to purify and clean the air in their surroundings, acting as natural air-filters and contributing to your health.
3. A vertical garden lets you grow your own food at home. Imagine the convenience of snipping the herbs you need for your pasta dish right off your home garden!
Turn it into a shared passion with your loved ones, and enjoy the fruits of your labour together!
How do I construct a vertical garden at home?
First, decide where you plan to install your new vertical garden at home. Pick a wall that will show off your green wall to maximum impact, while considering factors such as sufficient light to keep your plants healthy.
Next, choose the type of planter system that best suits the plants you wish to grow. There are various types of green wall systems on the market, but maintainability should be your primary concern.
(Photo credit:Urban Green Lab)
For ease of assembly and replacement of plants, go for a modular pot system or hanging planters. You can even DIY your own system using different materials such as steel mesh, wooden crates or rods!
How do I maintain my vertical garden?
The same gardening rules apply for vertical gardens too! Make sure your plants receive regular watering, fertilising and pruning. Look into setting up an automated drip irrigation system for easier watering.
Soil is often not used in vertical gardens due to their weight, especially when wet. Media that are more porous such as pumice is a good alternative that enables healthy root growth with adequate drainage and aeration. While going soilless helps you avoid houseplant pests, you would need to feed your plants using water-soluble fertiliser to provide them with nutrients.
Pruning is essential for vertical gardens, to ensure that faster-growing plants do not crowd or invade the space of others. This will help prevent pest and disease problems, and ensure that your plants are evenly exposed to light.
What plants can I grow in my vertical garden?
While not all plants will thrive in vertical gardens, you can still select from a wide variety of species from ferns to vines, depending on the existing environmental conditions such as sunlight.
For gardening newbies, consider perennials like the heart-leaf philodendron and pothos that are low-maintenance and hardy. Their growth pattern allows them to climb the support structure to create a lush effect.
Edible herbs such as basil and thyme can also be a practical option if you love cooking, while succulents are an ideal choice for a smaller vertical garden and can withstand less frequent watering.
Are you cultivating your own vertical garden? Tag us @singaporeHDB on Instagram – we’d love to see it!


The urban garden movement is growing in San Francisco. City dwellers here are discovering new and innovative ways to bring the outside in by urban gardening. Even if you live in a high rise, lacking a backyard or spacious patio, you can still transform your balcony, window sill or just about any space into your own oasis featuring fresh flowers, herbs and even fruits and vegetables.
The first step is to set up your space. Start by considering how much room you have and pay close attention to the available lighting. From there, you can determine what kinds of plants to grow. If you are lucky enough to have some outside space or even a roof-top, then the sky’s the limit!
There are many articles on-line with amazing ideas on urban gardening like this one. I particularly like the idea of using mason jars as planters and shipping pallets for extra vertical storage. You will also find info on potential plants that will grow well in an urban setting. One thing I noticed when researching this blog was the importance of lighting in your urban garden.
Those city dwellers with absolutely no room for a garden of their own, can still get their hands dirty thanks to the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department’s Community Gardens Program. Check here on the “Join an Existing Garden” page to locate a garden that’s growing on city-owned land, and apply for membership (the process often involves a waiting list). If there is no existing community garden near-by, you can start a new community garden. Or, contact other public agencies and private property owners who spearhead community garden sites throughout the city. Here’s a list of San Francisco community gardens.
If you are looking for a residence that is inspiringly beautiful and has space for your own urban garden, please contact me via email at Daniel.DerVartanian@sothebyshomes.com or give me a call at (415) 200-7744. In the meantime, be sure to check my website.


A new project is studying how auctions in Northwest Ohio can be used to pay corn and soybean producers for adopting agricultural best management practices (BMPs) that improve water quality. As part of this research project, we will host the Fulton-Tiffin Watershed BMP Auction. Through the auction, we will pay corn and soybean producers in Fulton County who farm within the Tiffin River Watershed to adopt new BMPs that reduce the amount of phosphorus that enters the Tiffin River and flows into Lake Erie. Reducing excess phosphorus improves our water quality and limits the frequency and size of algal blooms. For more information, please visit our website at www.FultonTiffinBMpAuction.org.
Growers can bid to adopt, 1) cover crops, 2) Filter strips, and /or 3) subsurface drainage control structures. Bids are confidential and will be accepted from July 21 to Sept. 30, 2014. Project researchers will evaluate bids and select projects that reduce the most phosphorus runoff per dollar until our budget runs out. Funding will be provided for new BMPs, not ones that are already used on a specific field. Bid packets can be picked up from the SWCD Office or printed from the auction website. To have a bid packet mailed to you, please call or email Leah Harris (Phone: 804-357-8510; Email: email@example.com).
There will be an information meeting on Thursday, July 24th from 8:30am-9:30am at the Clover Room of the Robert Fulton Agriculture Center, 8770 State Route 108, Wauseon, OH. Please RSVP to Scott Swinton at (517) 353-7218.


Soil erosion blamed on overdevelopment
CHINA lost 1.6 billion tons of soil to erosion in 2004, which equals 1 centimeter's thickness over 125,000 square kilometers of land, the Ministry of Water Resources said yesterday. Overdevelopment and irrational construction projects are the main culprits, environment officials said. The worst soil erosion occurred in the areas of the Yangtze River and the Yellow River, which amounted to 932 million tons and 491 million tons respectively, according to a ministry document on soil conservation. The problem of soil erosion afflicts almost the entire nation, especially the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, the middle section of the Yellow River, the northeastern Heilongjiang Province and the Pearl River Delta, said the ministry. China suffers from some of the world's worst soil erosion. A total of 3.6 million square kilometers of land is being eroded, accounting for 37 percent of the country's territory, said E Jingping, vice minister with the Ministry of Water Resources. "Soil erosion can bring more frequent floods and droughts, undermine the infrastructures and rein in the sustainable development," said E.


Growing Climate Migration Threatens Livestock Farmers in Zimbabwe’s Highlands – September 6, 2018
Refugees from the lowlands are settling on areas reserved for livestock pastures, wetlands, and even river banks
Ernest Munyama, a smallholder livestock and crop farmer in eastern Zimbabwe’s Mpudzi Resettlement area, looks weary and apprehensive. His herd of cattle dwindling fast as grazing land is becoming scarce in this part of the country. Munyama blames the dwindling pastures on the ballooning number of people migrating from the region’s lower dry areas to the Eastern Highlands in search of good soils, water, and pastures.
photo courtesy of Andrew Mambondiyani/Thomson Reuters Foundation… more
by: Andrew Mambondiyani


"On our farm we believe animals should be raised as naturally as possible. We do not think animals should be pumped full of hormones and antibiotics. Or that grazing animals should eat grain.
We are determined to raise food that will better our health and the land."
Grazing Acres Farms caught our eye and captured our hearts with this very statement. When we went to visit we were floored with the care taken of the land and animals. We knew we had found our egg supplier with future plans of beef and honey.
We appreciate the hard work Jason and his team put into conscientious farming and look forward to the beautiful product he delivers.
Check out their youtube channel for more information!


Williamson Tea is a tea farming business with experience of almost 150 years. They are widely known for the art of growing, selecting and blending fine teas. In contrast to other tea brands, they stand out due to their sustainable tea from Kenyan Tea Farmers.
Currently, this is our client’s fifth-generation who is committed to growing one of the highest quality sustainable teas. They are doing this to benefit Kenya, its wildlife, the environment, and the community as a whole. All of the teas are grown on their farms. With this, they can control the quality of the product from shrub to cup.
Williamson Tea has the most hard-working Kenyan Tea Farmers working towards growing sustainable and high-quality teas. The main aim is to provide pure balance and energetic fullness in a cup.


Received: 10.08. 2021 Revision: 20. 08. 2021 Accepted: 31. 08 .2021 Published: 10. 09. 2021
Chansa Chomba*1,and Idani Lichilo2
1School of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, Mulungushi University, P. O. Box 80415, Kabwe, Zambia
2School of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mulungushi University, Kabwe, Zambia
Abstract: A study was carried out between September and December 2020 to characterize the dairy farming activities in Mpima Dairy Cooperative Society area of Kabwe central Zambia. Data were collected through Focused Group Discussion with cooperative leadership and a questionnaire survey to the 40 household heads included in the sample. The questions in the questionnaire were designed to capture information on cattle breeds used, number of cattle per housed hold and number of years in dairy cattle management, herd size, milking routines and milk yields, grazing regime practiced and size of land, feeding including quantity and quality of feed given, knowledge on the food conversion ratio and nutrients needed by individual dairy animals. Water access and quantity /supply, and management improvements needed to increase milk yields were also considered. Data entry and storage were carried out using a data entry form earlier prepared which were later entered in Excel Spread sheet where descriptive statistics were performed and later imported into Mini Tab Statistical software package. Chi-square goodness of fit test was applied to compare between expected and observed frequencies of the identified parameters. Graphical presentations were prepared using Microsoft Excel Version 2016. Results obtained showed that farmers had adequate number of years in cattle keeping (6 - 25 years), but that all of the households faced water shortages in the dry season, and fodder was also limited during this time as almost all farmers practiced open range/free ranging grazing regime. Supplementary feeding was limited as most farmers did not make hay or silage and did not have sufficient financial resources to source supplements from outside the district. The amount of feed given to each animal per day was generally low although it varied among farmers with most farmers 74%, n = 26, feeding their animals on 20kg and less per day, and only 26% of the farmers provided ≥ 26kg of feed per day per animal. Otherwise, only 14%, n = 5, provided feed of 30 - 40kgs. The quantity of milk produced was low 6 (5.9) liters per cow with most farmers 70% (n = 28) milking twice per day, and the remaining 30% (n = 12) milking only once. The quantity of milk slightly increased during the rainy season although the quantity was not specified but with farmers having Friesian and Jersey breeds producing slightly higher quantities of milk than other breeds. It was concluded that all farmers were aware of the potential of the breeds they own to produce larger quantities of milk than what is currently produced, and acknowledged that severe management constraints were the main factors preventing them from realizing their potential.
The Mpima Dairy Producers Agricultural Co-operative Society was established in 2004 with 10 members, replacing an earlier state-run dairy farm established during the first republic. The Co-operative initially received 30 dairy animals from the Zambia Agribusiness and an additional 20 members were recruited. Since then, the membership has grown.
The cooperative was among other things established to promote the living standards of the members and the community of Mpima socially, economically, and environmentally by undertaking and encouraging its members to engage in keeping dairy animals to produce more milk (Personal comm.).
In 2015, famers lost about 50% of the pure breed stock due to disease and particularly exotic breeds such as the Friesian breed which the farmers said were difficult to manage while most crosses survived. Even after the high losses in 2015, the co-operative has not received any consistent and comprehensive veterinary care support or extension services from the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, yet the co-operative was established to enhance milk production and help contribute to the improvement of nutrition in central province and the nation at large.
The Mpima area also experiences severe water shortages as streams are intermittent and most boreholes were reported to be dry boreholes. The small dam across Mpima stream barely sustains the animals in the dry season and farmers ferry water using ox drawn scotch carts from afar. In amelioration, government had promised to sink one bore hole but this has not yet materialized.
This study therefore, was carried out within the ambits of government’s intentions through the National Food and Nutrition Commission to improve the health status of the citizens. This is because the importance of dairy farming cannot be overemphasized because as milk is critical in the diets of all mammals. Milk provides many essential nutrients which include carbohydrate, protein, fat, vitamins which are critical for mental development and long-term good health of citizens. Poor nutrition can lead to stunting and brain underdevelopment both of which are inimical to the well being of the human society and development of the country in general.
Mzumara et al., (2018) showed that the consequences of stunting included short adult height, effect on health and negative impact on economic development over time. In the long-term, stunting has effects on individuals and societies, including diminished cognitive and physical development, reduced productive capacity and poor health, and increased risk of degenerative diseases which may eventually become a burden on the social and health care systems.
In Zambia for instance, Mzumara et al., (2018) and the National Food and Nutritional Commission report of 2012 (GRZ, 2012), provided a detailed summary report on levels of stunting in the country. The national average stunting was 45% in 2012 apportioned by province as follows; Luapula 56 % and the highest, Central 53%, Northern 49%, Eastern 50%, Northwestern and Copperbelt 44%, Lusaka 37% and the lowest were Western and Southern provinces at 36%. Such levels of stunting portrayed a nation that may be considered severely undernourished and the economic future at risk of self dilapidation. The national average slightly reduced by 11% from 45% in 2012 to 40.4% in 2018, distributed by province as follows; northern province was this time the highest 49% (representing no change between 2012 – 2018), Muchinga 44% ( new addition), Eastern 43% (a reduction of 7%) , Luapula 43% ( a reduction of 13%), Central 43% ( a reduction of 10%), Southern 37% (an increase of 1%), Northwestern 37% (a reduction of 7%), Copperbelt 36% (a reduction of 8%), Western 36% ( an increase of 1% and Lusaka 36% (a reduction of 1%). Luapula and Central provinces had the highest reduction (Mzumara et al., 2018).
A growing body of knowledge now suggests that nutritional factors have a direct influence on cognitive growth including brain development of children which later manifest into adulthood and negatively impact the nation as a whole. Even though according to Hamer et al., (2016) brain development is fairly robust in principle, it can be modified by early environment, nutrition, illness and other experiences. However, nutritional deficiencies combined with repeated infections seemed to form a vicious cycle reinforcing each other, ultimately undermining the physical and cognitive development of children with subsequent effects on education and economic productivity of individuals and their families and the nation at large. At 45% stunting as a national average in 2012 (GRZ (2012) Zambia was enlisted as having one of the highest rates of childhood stunting (6 to 59 months) in the world which was higher than the 42% average for Africa. Other forms of under nutrition were reported to be wasting or acute malnutrition, with 5% of children under 5 years being under weight at 15%. In addition, 54% of children had vitamin A deficiency and 53% had iron deficiency, 9.3 % were born with low birth weight, all indicative of poor maternal nutrition.
It was postulated that if the levels of stunting remained unchanged in Zambia, over the next decade(s), the country would lose an estimated USD 775 million in economic underperformance (GRZ, 2012). Therefore, addressing under nutrition was essential to improved economic performance of the country and critical if the country was to meet the relevant Sustainable Development Goals. This is partly the reason why we emphasized the important role of milk production and consumption can play in changing the status quo to address the current nutritional challenges at micro, meso and macro scales.
To further underscore the importance of milk in enhancing the nutritional status of particularly children, the WHO and FAO launched in April 2003 an independent report on diet and nutrition, which served as the basis for developing a global strategy to combat the growing burden of chronic diseases mainly linked to poor nutrition (GRZ, 2012).
This global strategy of enhancing the nutritional status of people is very relevant to Zambia where under nutrition remains high. GRZ (2012) stated that food consumption in Zambia among all age groups was inadequate. Available data suggests high deficiencies in dietary frequency, quality and diversity. The Central Statistical Office data (CSO, 2014) showed that 51% of households could only afford two meals a day, 11 % one meal a day, and only 35% could afford three meals a day. Even the three meals per day did not consider the variety and quality of food. It was shown that the over reliance on maize cereal was not only insufficient to fulfill energy needs but was also not diverse to provide adequate quality and quantity of protein, and was highly deficient in micronutrients all of which had acute or severe implications on nutritional well being of the population.
A survey carried out in 2008 (GRZ, 2012) found that on average, only four out of 13 food groups were consumed in a day by households. The food groups regularly consumed were; cereal and cereal products, 98.9%, dark leafy vegetables 80.0%, oils and fats 60.06%, sugary foods 48.8%, legumes, nuts and oil seeds 40.7%. Only 1 % of the dietary energy supply was provided by fruit and vegetables. The low supply (5%) of food of animal origin (meat, milk, eggs, and fish) contributed to the iron and protein deficiency. The study also showed that 27% to 65% of the population could not afford a minimum cost of nutritionally adequate diet. This data underscores the importance of milk as a source of nutrition because it is inherently packed with a high variety of macro and micro nutrients.
Nutritionally, milk is nature’s perfect highly dense food source providing high quality protein and micronutrients in an easily absorbed form that can benefit both vulnerable and healthy people when consumed in appropriate amounts. It is a well-known fact that the critical window for adequate child growth and cognitive development is the first 1,000 days (GRZ, 2012) and no wonder all mammals start with milk during their most critical stage in life. IDFA (2021) and University of Kansas Medical Center (2015) demonstrated that milk products contain casein (C17H125N22O39P) a protein found only in milk and is used as a standard for evaluating proteins of other foods. Therefore, milk makes a significant contribution to meeting the required nutrient intakes of calcium, magnesium, selenium, riboflavin (C17H20N4O6) vitamin B12, pantothenic acid (C9H17NO5) and others. Milk from some animal species can also be a source of zinc and vitamins A, C, D and B6 (FAO, 2002, 2020; Pereira, et al., 2014). The calcium found in milk is readily absorbed by the body while phosphorous plays a role in calcium absorption and utilization. Phosphorous essentially is needed in the proper ratio to calcium to form bones. Milk is also a source of riboflavin (vitamin B2) which helps to promote healthy skin and eyes as well as vitamins A and D. In adults, a calcium deficiency along with other factors may result in bone deterioration called osteoporosis (IDFA, 2021).
Pereira, et al., (2014) underscored the role of milk in the young and adults alike. Despite the opposing views that milk might not be good for some individuals (Nelson and Jurmain, 1991) and age groups, the author argued that milk is a nutrient dense food supplying all essential components for growth and development. It contains water (87%) readily digestible fats (3 – 4%), high biological value proteins (3, 5%), lactose (5%), minerals (1.2%) and vitamins (0.1%) in addition to many other constituents that have positive human health. It was concluded that adequate intake of milk and dairy products particularly during childhood, might have beneficial effects on health and reduce risk of osteoporosis, hypertension and obesity during adulthood (Pereira, 2014).
Teklu (2021) acknowledged that milk was a complete food that contains all nutritional principles necessary for life, which is why it has been used by humans as food since times immemorial. Due to this perception of a complete food product, milk has acquired a strong cultural imprint in the symbolic system of health. Evidently, this precious food item must not be missing from the table of any nutritionally responsible household.
Recent studies by Hyland (2015) suggest that older adults who drink milk tend to have higher levels of the naturally occurring antioxidant called glutathione (C10H17N3O6S) in the brain. Glutathione helps to stave off oxidative stress and the resulting damage caused by reactive chemical compounds produced during the normal metabolic process in the brain. It is like removing the buildup of rust on your car. Oxidative stress is known to be associated with a number of different diseases and conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and many other conditions.
Mudd et al., (2017) in their experiment using a process called diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) technique assessed how fast and where water molecules are moving in the brain. By knowing how the water moves, they were able to understand how neurons are aligned and how myelination is occurring in the brain; as these are important ways of measuring brain development. When babies are born, they do not have much myelin surrounding their axons, so water can flow out of the axons fairly easily; this would result in a high radial diffusivity measure. However, as babies’ brains develop, myelin wraps around axons and there is less room for water to move out of the axons, resulting in lower radial diffusivity. When a neuron cell body receives information from other neurons, the cell body processes that information and sends a new message along the axon to reach other neurons within the brain or in other sites within the body. Studies in human babies have also shown that the addition of milk fat globule membrane to a baby’s diet can help the brain to develop. This might be because milk fat globule membrane contains a molecule called sphingomyelin which is required for the production of myelin (Figure 1).
Figure Image is Available in PDF Format
Figure 1. Myelin in a Common Neuron
(Source: Shier, Butler and Lewis 2007, Human anatomy and physiology)
It is undeniable that although there are views to the contrary regarding the health benefits of consuming milk in adults which in some is due to lactose intolerance (Nelson and Jurmain, 1991) and other complications, overwhelming evidence suggests that milk is a miracle food source and its presence on each household’s dinner table is equivalent to good health (Hamer and Biemba, 2016). In an undernourished population such as is the case with Zambia, milk consumption is supposed to be diplomatically mandatory to improve the health and brain capacity of the citizens so that their contribution to economic activity can be maximized and disease burden reduced which also reduces the budgetary constraints of the Ministry of Health. This way, one would confidently suggest that a good diet is indeed the most efficient hospital.
Choi et al., (2015) also reiterated the importance of milk in nourishing the brain. Choi’s team asked 60 participants in the study about their diets in the days leading up to brain scans, which they used to monitor levels of glutathione, a powerful antioxidant in the brain. The researchers found that participants who had indicated that they had drunk milk recently had higher levels of glutathione in their brains. This is important, the researchers said, because glutathione could help stave off oxidative stress and resulting damage caused by reactive chemical compounds produced during the normal metabolic process in the brain.
Crishton et al., (2012) further suggested pouring at least one glass of milk each day could not only boost your intake of much needed key nutrients, but it could also positively impact your brain and mental performance. They noted that adults with higher intake of milk and milk products scored significantly higher on memory and other brain functions tests than those who drank little to no milk. Milk drinkers were five times less likely to fail the test, compared to non milk drinkers. Researchers at the University of Maine put more than 900 men and women aged 23 – 98 years through a series of brain tests including visual – spatial, verbal and working memory tests and tracked the milk consumption habits of the participants (Crichton et al., 2012). In the series of eight different measures of mental performance, regardless of age and through all tests, those who drank at least one glass of milk each day had an advantage. The highest score for all eight outcomes were observed for those with the highest intakes of milk and milk products compared to those with low and infrequent milk intakes. The benefits persisted even after controlling for other factors that can affect brain health, including cardiovascular health and other lifestyle and diet factors. In fact, milk drinkers tended to have healthier diets overall, but there was something about milk intake specifically that offered the brain health advantage, according to the researchers. In addition to the many established health benefits of milk from bone health to cardiovascular health, the potential to stave off mental decline was one of the novel benefits with great potential to impact the aging population. While more research is needed, the scientist suggested some of milk’s nutrients that may have a direct effect on brain function and which slow down or prevent neuropsychological dysfunction. Crichton et al., (2012) concluded that new and emerging brain health benefits are just one more reason to start each day with low fat or fat free milk. Whether in a latte, in a smoothie, on your favourite cereal or straight from the glass, milk at breakfast can be a key part of a healthy breakfast that help sets you up for a successful day.
In the report by the National Food and Nutrition Commission of 2012 (GRZ, 2012), central province had the second highest level of stunting (53%) although this had declined to 43% in 2018, we decided in this study to examine some of the efforts by government to address the issue of under nutrition. We selected Mpima Dairy cooperative society for the following reasons, i) the proximity of Mpima to Kabwe the capital of the province, ii) its proximity to Mulungushi University our work place. We were convinced that the performance of the dairy enterprise at Mpima though at small scale in comparison with the size of the province, (94,394km2) in extent) with a population of 1.69 million (2017 figures) about 10% of the national population, it would still have a domino effect on other similar projects. It was hoped that if the Mpima dairy worked well, it would inspire other organized groups and individuals in the province to undertake dairy farming as a business and as a means of improving nutrition to the population.
With respect to the availability of land to support the expansion of dairy farming in the province, records showed that even though wholesale and retail was listed as the main economic activity, it was agriculture that was the main, livelihood of the people of central province, practiced at subsistence level. According to the rural agricultural survey of 2015 (IAPRI, 2016a, b), small holder farmers in central province had cultivated fields averaging 3.3 hectares which can be pooled for dairy farming where this was practical. Southern province which has more cattle had 3.1 hectares and eastern 2.3 hectares (IAPRI, 2016a, b). The availability of land by small holder farmers therefore, provides an opportunity for them to consider dairy farming.
Contrary to the widely held notions of ample access to land in Zambia, evidence here suggests that available average size of farm land ownership in central province as with the rest of the provinces, is predominantly of small-scale sized farming where by very little land is actually available for expansion (IAPRI, 2016) and may not support free ranging grazing regimes.
On the aspect of livestock in general, records on ownership and production showed that the most common type of livestock owned by the majority of households were chickens, followed by goats and cattle. On average, more than 80% of the households had at least one chicken, 35% owned goats, 31% had cattle and only 16% owned pigs (RALS, 2015). In fact, according to the CSO (2016) there were about 3 million cattle in Zambia in 2015, of the ten provinces, only southern province had 1 million cattle accounting for 45% of the national herd, eastern province had 19%, central province was third with 15% and western province 13%. The remaining provinces had 2% or less each.
In selecting central province as our study area of interest we also took cognizance of the fact that the area already had cattle keeping traditions and transforming these mainly beef cattle farmers to dairy may not be a daunting task. We also considered the fact that although the province has provident skill in cattle keeping, they, like many other small holder farmers face numerous challenges related to human capacity. And the practice of cattle keeping is more or less ornamental as can be deciphered from low milk yields.
In general terms therefore, almost all small holder farmers experience low livestock productivity mainly attributed to; high incidences of animal diseases, inadequate animal nutrition, poor husbandry and management practices, poor marketing infrastructure, and ineffective extension and research services GRZ (2004). Yet, the 2004 records showed that smallholder dairy farmers contributed the largest proportion of about 50% of the marketed milk (150 million in 2004), while 23% was supplied by large-scale commercial farmers, while the remaining 27% was imported as milk and milk products (GRZ, 2004). The dairy sub-sector despite the poor performance continues to attract new membership and more farmers continue to join the dairy co-operatives/farmer groups. Although current figures on the contribution of small holder dairy farmers to the national milk basket may not be readily available, it is assumed that the pattern earlier observed could still be the same, implying that the stallholder farmers still contribute the largest proportion to the national milk basket.
If that is true, then, we can state that the prominence of the smallholder farmers in milk production underscores the importance of addressing challenges faced by the group(s) because they contribute the largest proportion of milk in the country. If the country has to increase milk production and ultimately improve milk per capita consumption, then dairy science research and extension services should focus on the smallholder farmers to elevate their capacity to manage the enterprise effectively and efficiently.
It was for this reason that we decided to investigate and analyze the management capacity of the Mpima Dairy Cooperative Society, because success scored by one co-operative society can easily be replicated in other areas, and ultimately improving the entire smallholder community in the country.
This study therefore, focused on the areas that are critical in managing dairy animals for increased milk production; water provision, feed, experience in cattle keeping, grazing systems employed and size of land owned, number of cows per household, and how milk production can be improved.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Location and Description of Study Area
The study was carried out between September and December 2020 to characterize the dairy farming in Mpima Dairy Cooperative Society area located about 25 km east of Kabwe town centre (Figure 2) and is situated at coordinates, Latitude 14o 23’ 4” S and Longitude 28o 32’ 9’’ E.
Figure Image is Available in PDF Format
Figure Image is Available in PDF Format
Figure 2. Location of Mpima Dairy Area in Kabwe, the Provincial Capital of Central Province, Zambia
The area experiences rainy season between November/December – March/April, followed by a cool dry season lasting until July and a hot season ending November at the beginning of the rainy season. The area is located in Agro-ecological region II receiving rainfall of between 800 mm – 1,000 mm/yr -1. Streams are largely seasonal/ intermittent making water availability a major constraint. The common vegetation community is this area is mainly open miombo woodland (Brachystegia, Julbernardia, Isoberlinia woodland) with undergrowth dominated by many species of grass (Poaceae) most of which are not palatable to grazers.
2.2 Sampling techniques
A Focused Group Discussion (FGD) was held with cooperative society leadership at the milk receiving center. Secondly, a total of 40 dairy farming house hold heads were randomly selected from a prepared list of the Mpima Dairy Cooperative Society membership using simple random sampling selection criterion. The sample size was determined based on the formula by Bennet et al (1991). A nondiscriminatory criterion used to include household heads in the sample was possession of at least one lactating cow.
2.3 Data Collection
Data were collected through FGD with cooperative leadership, and a questionnaire to the 40 household heads included in the sample. The questions in the questionnaire were designed to capture information on; breeds used, number of cattle per housed hold and number of years in dairy cattle management, milking routines and yields, grazing regime practiced and size of land, feeding including quantity and quality of feed given, knowledge on the food conversion ratio and nutrients needed by individual dairy animals, water access and quantity /supply, and management improvements needed to increase milk yields.
2.4 Data Analysis
Data entry and storage were carried out using a data entry form earlier prepared which were later entered in Excel Spread sheet where descriptive statistics were performed and later imported into Mini Tab Statistical software package. Chi-square goodness of fit test was applied to compare between expected and observed frequencies of the identified parameters. Graphical presentations were prepared using Microsoft Excel Version 2016.
Number of years in dairy animal management and breeds preferred
The mean number of years in dairy animal management was four years but ranged between one and 25 years, the difference of which was found to be significantly different (χ2 = 51.0, DF = 8, α = 0.05, P < 0.05). Despite the difference in the number of years among farmers, the majority of the farmers, 82.5% had between 6 – 25 years of experience broken down as follows; 6.0 – 10.0 years, 40%, n = 16; 11.0 – 15 years, 20%, n = 8; 16.0 – 20 years 15%, n = 6; and 21.0 – 25 years, 7.5%, n = 3, which is long enough to acquire relevant skills needed to improve milk yield. In general terms, all farmers had adequate number of years in dairy cattle management.
The length of experience was taken as a yard stick to measure other parameters. Therefore, from the aspect of experience, all the farmers had adequate number of years in dairy animal management and were expected to be competent in all other critical areas of animal management and milk production.
Sources Of Water
Water is an important component in managing dairy cows as milk itself contains up to 87% of water. Having a reliable source of good quality and quantity water is a very important management factor. Farmers were asked to indicate the sources of water and whether such sources were reliable guaranteeing accessibility both in quality and quantity all year round.
It was found that farmers derived their water from different sources (χ2 = 125.0, DF = 9, α = 0.05, P < 0.05). The quality and quantity of water was not guaranteed. Water therefore, was a major constraint among all dairy farmers. Most farmers, 62.5% n = 25, derived their water from seasonal or intermittent streams, and the least derived from borehole 5%, n = 2 (Figure 3).
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Figure 3. Major Sources of Water for Mpima Dairy Cooperative Society Members, Kabwe Central Province, 2020
Nutrition and Fodder, Grazing System and Size of Land for Pasture
Natural pastures are the cheapest way of feeding cattle. Although they are mostly used for beef cattle, good grazing management can give very good results for dairy cattle as well. Most of the allocated grazing area should be left for natural grazing. During the rainy season, the nutritive value of natural grasses is high. Thus, dairy animals can solely be maintained on these pastures. In the dry season however, supplementary feeding becomes inevitable.
Thus, quality feed to meet animal nutritional needs for increased milk production does not only depend on quantity given but also the nutritional value of the food. Farmers are expected to know the type of nutrients and sources dairy animals require for good health and optimal milk production. In this study, farmers were asked to indicate the types of nutrients and sources of food from which such nutrients can be derived. The major nutrient groups for which farmers were required to indicate sources were energy, protein, vitamins and minerals. In the four categories indicated the majority of farmers did not know food types where such nutrients could be obtained; protein 44%, n = 18; energy 47%, n = 19; vitamins 64 % n = 26, minerals 64%, n = 26 (Figure 4). In addition to unreliable sources of good quantity and quality water, low levels of knowledge about the nutritional content of feed given to animals was seen as another major constraint.
Figure Image is Available in PDF Format
Figure Image is Available in PDF Format
Figure 4. Knowledge about Sources on Nutrients for Dairy Cows
The next parameter related to nutritional value was the quantity of food given to each animal per unit time. Food facilitates increased milk yields and maintains body metabolic functions.
In this study, the amount of feed given to each animal per day varied among farmers. Most farmers 74%, n = 26, fed their animals on 20kg and less per day, and only 26% of the farmers provided ≥ 26kg of feed per day per animal. Otherwise, only a minority 14%, n = 5, provided feed within the range of 30 - 40kgs of quality feed each day (Figure 5).
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Figure 5. Quantity of Feed Given to an Individual Animal per Day, Mpima Dairy Cooperative Society, Kabwe 2020
In order to satisfy animal feed needs in terms of quantity and quality, it is in most instances desirable to have an adequate size of land to grow own fodder entirely or to supplement with purchases from outside. We investigated the size of land owned versus the grazing regime practiced. For good management and optimal milk yields, zero grazing is the most suitable form of management.
In this study, the commonest form of grazing was open range, 72.5%, n = 29, and yet the majority of the farmers 52.5%, n – 21, owned ≤ 10 hectares which was grossly inadequate for free ranging. In fact, free ranging is only suitable for beef cattle and not dairy cows (Figure 6a, b). In both systems, the differences were significantly different (Grazing systems - χ2 = 74.0, DF = 4, α = 0.05, P < 0.05; Size of land - χ2 = 18.0, DF = 6, α = 0.05, P < 0.05).
Figure Image is Available in PDF Format
Figure Image is Available in PDF Format
Figure 6. A) Grazing Regime Practiced, and B) Size of Land Owned by Dairy Farmers
3.4 Milk Yields
The inadequacy of water supply and limitation of good quantity and quality of food were assumed to be responsible for low milk yields (Figure 6), although the other factor considered were the breeds kept by each dairy farmer.
All famers (n = 40) reported seasonal effects on milk volume produced. The mean quantity produced was 6 (5.9) liters per cow with most farmers 70% (n = 28) milking twice per day, and the remaining 30% (n = 30) milking only once. This quantity slightly increased during the rainy season but farmers did not state the quantity. The two farmers who milked 11-15 litres per cow / day had Friesian lactating cows and milked twice per day.
When we compared feeding routines to milk volume, we found that farmers who had Friesian cows and gave above 30 kg of feed per cow /day are the ones that mostly yielded ≥ 10 litres/day.
In this study, farmers generally stated inadequate feed for their animals, particularly during the dry season as a major constraint. The low average yield of 6 litres /day was attributed to insufficient quality feed in consortium with other factors stated above. Majority of the farmers 50% (n = 20) reported yielding 6 litres and less per cow/day, followed by 45% (n = 18) having 6 -10 litres and the least were those producing 11-15 litres per cow /day 5% (n = 2) (Figure 7).
In a separate interview with executive members of the Co-operative however, different figures on milk yields/day were given as follows; that most farmers obtained 8 litres /day from cross breeds and 26 litres /day in the wet season and 20 litres/day in the dry season from pure breeds particularly the exotic breeds, milking twice a day.
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Figure 7. Milk Yield per Cow per Day, Mpima Dairy Cooperative Society, 2020.
Farmers had five breeds, the highest being Cross 37% (n = 21) essentially because it is more suited to the local environment than pure breeds and yields more milk than local breeds, Friesian 35% (n = 19), Jersey 22 % (n = 12) the two being preferred for higher milk yields although they are less suited to the local environment and are difficult to manage, Angoni 4% (n = 2), Boran 2% (n= 1) (Figure 8). Despite having some of the high milk yielding breeds such as Friesian and Jersey (57%, n = 31), milk yields were still much lower than was expected under a good management regime.
Figure Image is Available in PDF Format
Figure 8. Dairy Cow Breeds Kept by Mpima Dairy Farmers for Milk Production, 2020.
Further inquiry was launched to find out what the dairy farmers would like to change in order to improver milk production. Assessing the level of knowledge on what needs to be changed was necessary to identify areas of intervention. Results showed that food, water supply and breed were the main parameters needed to change in order to increase milk yields (Figure 9a, b).
Figure Image is Available in PDF Format
Figure Image is Available in PDF Format
Figure 9. Farmer’s Response to Improved Milk Yield (A) and What Farmers Would like to Change to Improve Animal Management, Mpima Dairy Cooperative Society, 2020.
Generally, all farmers were aware of the potential of the breeds they have to produce larger quantities of milk, but had severe management constraints which limited the attainment of such potential.
In general terms, milk yield among smallholder farmers in Zambia is low. The main reasons for low livestock productivity include the high incidence of animal diseases, inadequate animal nutrition, poor husbandry and management practices, poor marketing infrastructure, and ineffective extension and research services (GRZ, 2004; Yambayamba, 2008). Despite these challenges, the small holder dairy farmers still play a major part in the livestock sub sector. In fact, production of milk for the market is dominated by smallholders largely due to a somewhat exponential increase in the number of farmers joining the dairy co-operatives/farmer groups. In Zambia for instance, the 2004 figures showed that the smallholder dairy farmers contributed the largest proportion of about 50% of the marketed milk (150 million litres by 2004), while 23% was supplied by large-scale commercial farmers, and the remaining 27% was imported as milk and milk products (GRZ, 2004). We assumed that although the figures might have changed over time, it is expected that the pattern has remained the same since 2004 and the small holder farmers still dominate the market. If that is true then we can state that the prominence of the smallholder farmers in milk production underscores the importance of addressing challenges they face because they still contribute the largest proportion of milk in the country. If the country has to increase the milk yield and improve milk per capita consumption, then dairy science research and extension services should selectively focus on the smallholder farmers to elevate to higher levels where their yields per cow would reach near optimum potential for each breed.
The important role smallholder farmers play in milk production at national level in Africa was also reported in Kenya where small-scale dairy farmers keep over 70% of the 3.5 million dairy cattle and produced a total of 4.2 billion litres of milk every year providing employment to over 350,000 people at farm level and over 400,000 people in the informal and close to 50,000 people in the formal marketing sector (Gachuiri, et al., 2012). The report also noted that although small scale farmers in Kenya had good quality exotic cows, milk production was also low despite their potential. This low productivity was as earlier reported for Zambia, attributed to; i) poor management especially inadequate feeding, ii) poor health management, iii) poor breeding management that leads to long calving intervals, the factors of which also apply to the small holder dairy farmers in Mpima Dairy Cooperative Society. However, the small scale farmers in Kenya had a better pasture management system and managed their animals under three production systems arranged in order of importance as follows: i) Zero-grazing, where the animals are housed and the farmers bring all the feed and water to the animals which results in higher milk yields per cow of 15-30 litres; ii) Semi zero-grazing where the animals are confined but released to graze at least for a few hours per day; iii) Open range, animals are grazed in open fields throughout the day and given water and minerals in the gazing field (Gachuiri et al., 2012).
At Mpima Dairy Cooperative Society, the common grazing system was open range /free ranging, while in Kenya almost all smallholder farmers practice zero and semi-zero grazing which explains why they are able to produce more milk per cow per day which is much higher that the milk yields recorded by small scale dairy farmers in Zambia (Hofer, 2015).
4.1 Feeding and Water
Dairy animals require proper nutrition which provides all the necessary nutrients to keep them healthy and in good body condition (Yambayamba, 2008; McGuckin, 1983). Dairy cattle must eat a balanced diet. Poor quality feed coupled with less quantities would result in animals losing body condition which then becomes a predisposing factor to disease while over supplying of feed is a waste of resources. Lack of essential nutrients in the diet often results in ill-health, failure to reach full production potential and sometimes death. From the results obtained in this study, poor nutrition and undersupplying feed for lactating dairy cows could be one of the leading factors contributing to low milk yields (mean = 6 litres/day).
Common food stuffs with desirable nutrients are bulk forages and pastures – grass, hay, straw, stovers; cereal by-products - maize, maize bran and maize germ, wheat, pollard, wheat bran, rice bran and rice polishing; root crops – cassava chips; oil seed products, molasses; fat;
Protein- legume crops and forages – desmodium (Family-Fabaceae), sweet potato vines or calliandra (Subfamily – Caesalpinioideae) leaves; plant by-products - mostly from extracted oil seeds (cotton seed cake, sunflower cake, soybean cake), copra cake, groundnut cake; animal origin fish meal; non protein nitrogen sources (NPN); urea; poultry litter. Farmers are expected to have this basic information because good nutrition determines body condition and performance of their animals, which was not the case in Mpima area where most farmers did not know the various nutrients and food types from which such nutrients can be derived.
Next to feed is the farm lay out, which relates to watering points, pasture, paddocks and the milking parlour which are important. Animals walking long distances will utilize a lot of energy, which should go to milk synthesis. Since all farmers reported open range grazing, with one reliable water source in the dry season, there is no doubt that even lactating cows were subjected to walking long distances searching for pasture and water.
Few farmers (12 %, n = 5) made some effort to make hay and silage while 40% purchased although the quantity purchased was withheld, yet supplementary feeding is one way of bridging the gap when the farmer cannot grow own feed or provide a balanced diet. Supplements are feeds with a higher concentration of energy or protein or both, i.e., more nutrients per volume or weight of feed compared to forages. Certain forages such as legumes, commercial dairy concentrates and cereal by-products are high in protein and should have been considered as priority by farmers in Mpima area. They are fed in relatively small amounts together with the bulk feeds and are most often fed to productive animals such as lactating or pregnant cows.
The minerals did not feature prominently in the diet of animals in the study area yet; dairy cattle require at least 17 minerals and three vitamins in their diet for optimal milk production, reproductive performance, and herd health. Even small imbalances or deficiencies can develop into reproductive, health, and milk production problems (Gachuiri, et al., 2012; FAO, 2002). Generally, the two sources of minerals include natural feeds (forages and grains) and mineral supplements to balance the minerals present in the forages and grains.
Vitamins on the other hand fall into two groups: fat soluble and water soluble. The water-soluble vitamins are synthesized in the rumen thus only the fat soluble (A, D, E) are required in the diet. Vitamin K is not required in the ration because it is synthesized in the rumen (largest chamber of ruminants).
4.2 Size of Land and Its Uses
Since the framers practice free ranging, it would be preferable to have slightly larger tracts of land. This is because farmers would have enough pasture some of which can be harvested and conserved as silage or hay. Given 50 hectares of land for instance, 30 hectares can be maintained as natural pasture and 20 ha to be developed for improved pasture. The 30 hectares natural pasture can be divided into 6 paddocks of approximately 5 ha each. This would guarantee availability of feed all year round and particularly in the dry season when pasture is limited and of low nutritional value.
The development of improved pasture may include Rhode’s grass (Chloris gayana) star grass (Cynodon nlemfuensis), and Lucerne /Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) among the popular ones. Gachuiri, et al., (2012) suggested that it would be cheaper to buy hay from else where and that the suggested species for pasture improvement would be apportioned as follows: i) Star grass 15 ha (no fertilizer, no irrigation), divide this paddock into five (5) areas of 3 ha each; ii) Lucerne 5 ha (fertilized and irrigated during dry season), divide this paddock into five (5) areas of 1 ha each.
Although water is not a nutrient as such, it is essential for life and it is critical for milk production because it is estimated that up to 87 - 90% of milk is water (Gachuiri, et al., 2012; Gakige and Gioopy, 2016). The amount required depends mainly on milk yield, water content of feed, amount of feed consumed, salt content of feed and the environmental temperature as well as the physiology of individual animals. For example, lactating cows need larger proportions of water relative to body weight than dry cows or livestock of other species. Cows will drink more water if it is availed at all times and when warm water is offered on cold days. Dairy cows suffer from a limited intake of water more quickly and severely than from a deficiency of any other dietary nutrient. So, lack of water has a big effect on feed intake (especially if the feed is low in moisture) and thus on milk yield. The shortage of water in Mpima Dairy area is supposedly one of the major factors responsible for low milk yields.
The cattle breeds commonly used in Zambia for milk production differ in milk yield. The breeds used by small scale farmers are mainly local breeds, Angoni, Barotse and Tonga, and exotic, Friesian, Holstein and Jersey and crosses between these breeds (Olofsson, 2013; Zulu et al., 2003). The local breeds in Zambia are low yielding ranging from 1.9 – 5.3 kg/day and are seldom fed to maximize the production that their genetic potential could result in (Olofsson, 2013; Kaluba, 2015; Aregheore, 2009). Exotic crosses on the other hand can produce ≥10 kg milk per day (Olofsson, 2013; Kaluba, 2015; Aregheore, 2009) but require good management practices and in warm climates zones usually only receiving 45 – 60 % of the feed needed to maximize their genetic potential. In these areas, Olofsson (2013), Kaluba (2015) and Aregheore, (2009) suggested combination of 50 % exotic and 50 % local breed as being the most economic profitable considering milk production (McDowell et al., 1996) if the cattle are fed properly. In the Mpima dairy farming area, the combination of breeds seemed right, because farmers had at least two popular breeds; Friesian and Jersey. The Friesian breed is a high yielding breed. In Kenya, it was recorded to produce (40 – 60 litres /day with low fat content of about 3.2%. Jersey was recorded to yield an average 22 litres/day and about 5.3% butter fat, the figures of which were much higher than the ones recorded at Mpima Dairy farm suggesting poor management at the latter. The feed requirement was recorded to be low at 65-85 Kg fresh forage, yet the majority (74%) dairy farmers in Mpima gave 20 kg and less. We suggest that perhaps the challenge was with other management aspects such as water, feed and disease management rather than breeds (see Figure 7).
It is also prudent to suggest that poor nutrition, free-ranging grazing system which is not suitable for dairy animals as they are not required to cover long distances looking for food or water, coupled with other animal management factors collectively reduced milk yields preventing the animals from reaching their full potential.
McDowell et al., (1996) however, held a different opinion on breeds. They showed that although local breeds had lower milk yields, they should also be encouraged because of the other benefits such as, resistance to heat stress in warm climates such as Zambia, better udder health (Olofsson, 2013; Giovambattista et al., 2001; Habeeb 1991; Mason and Maule, 1960; Mason, 1996) and a lower tick burden (Wambura et al., 1998) and thereby having less tick related diseases which lowers the cost of veterinary care (Jonsson et al., 2008). Ticks may cause a production loss as they irritate the animals and cause anaemia. They may also spread diseases such as East coast fever (Makala et al., 2003) that also lowers milk yield (Onono et al., 2013; Habeeb, 1991). So, farmers can weigh up the risks and make an appropriate choice assisted with skilled and experienced extension workers from line ministries. This assertion however, does not justify lower milk yields attributed to poor animal management. It should be taken from the context of animal – local environment compatibility and the possibility of lowering management costs arising from frequent diseases, heavy tick burden and others which often disadvantage most exotic high milk yielding breeds.
The farmers in this study produced an average 6 litres of milk per cow/day, which is in line with earlier studies (Olofsson, 2013; Kaluba, 2015). Milk yield ranged from less than 1 liter per cow/day up to 15 liters. Farmers that had Friesian breed, fed at least 30kg or more and milked two times per day and had milk yield ranging 10 – 15 litres /day. The low mean yield of 6 litres/day could be attributes to a number of factors including, milking frequency, variation in breed, quantity and quality of feed and others. The 26 litres /day reported by executive members of the Co-operative perhaps was erroneous because; i) figures that farmers might have given were according to farmers own estimation, and the information may not be completely correct; ii) executive members of the cooperative may have only considered figures from the best performing households with high milk yielding exotic breeds and those that provide supplementary feed ignoring the poorer performers. The other explanation could also be associated with the earlier observations made by Stelwagen and Knight (1997), who recorded that an increase in milking frequency improved milk yield. They observed a higher yield in instances where calves were completely separated from the cows than vice versa as also observed by Ugarte, (1991), and Mejia et al., (1998). It is therefore, likely that within the small holder farmers some may have had slightly better practices than others and this may have caused the slight increases in milk yields reported by the executive members of the co-operative.
With all the explanations being considered, still a large proportion of the farmers in Mpima area experienced lack of feed (45 %) especially in the dry season, which is in line with other studies from sub-Saharan Africa (e.g., Orodho, 2006; Tolera and Abebe, 2007; Rurinda et al., 2014) including Zambia (Hicks, 1995). A lack of feed lowers milk yields (Moran, 2005) and this was confirmed in this study where access to forage and concentrate did affect milk production.
A significant difference in yield was seen between farmers that had or did not have supplements in addition to open range grazing and farmers that gave forage year around compared to only in the dry season. Also, farmers that gave concentrate in early lactation had a higher milk yield as well as farmers that gave concentrate compared to those not giving any concentrate at all.
This is also in line with the findings by Moran (2005) where it was observed that energy and especially protein influenced milk yield. The general body condition class of 3 given by one of the executive committee members could indicate that feeding may be fair but insufficient for a high milk production. Increasing forage may be difficult because most practice free ranging/open range, and concentrate was not on-farm produced and if farmers could produce it from crops available on-farm, maybe access to concentrates could increase and protein levels as well as energy levels be enough to increase milk yield. Secondly, there was no supplier or any agent for molasses in the locality making it difficult for cows to utilize dry matter including crop residue in the dry season. Even though a majority did not have criteria for assessing nutritious feed, the major problem may not have been quality alone but a general lack of feed (both in energy, protein, vitamins and minerals). This again could also be attributed to farmers lacking knowledge on how much feed, and of which quality, is needed to maintain a high milk production (see Figure 3). We therefore, postulate that the findings of this study and several other related studies which indicate that management factors influence milk yield could be correct and reliable.
The art of dairy animal management for enhanced milk production requires knowledge, skill and passion. The results of this study suggest that dairy animal management practices in the Mpima area are generally inadequate to promote high milk yields per cow/day. We therefore conclude as follows;
The mean milk yield of 6.9 liter per cow / day was low in comparison with the breeds’ potential.
A slightly higher milk yield was found for farmers that in addition to grazing, supplemented their cows with forage and concentrates, especially if done all year around and not only in the dry season.
Breeds such as Friesian or Jersey though difficult to manage are high milk yielding breeds, but poor management prevents them from attaining their potential.
The breed mix was appropriate, but the water supply, feed quality and quantity were poor and the practice of open range grazing is inappropriate for dairy animals as it takes away energy that is supposed to be invested in milk synthesis.
Improvement in feeding (both energy and protein) could improve milk yield for the herds in the Mpima area.
That the lack of veterinary care is a major threat to herd health as disease can reduce milk yield and can also easily eliminate the entire herd as was the case in 2015 when 50% of the animals were lost.
Lack of capacity and/or initiative to conserve natural pastures. These pastures are normally left to the course of nature until they grow and mature into roughage of low quality with very little value to the animals. There is total absence of the use of prescribed fires to improve the pasture.
To achieve the objective of improved milk yield, we proposed that the following strategies be considered:
Engage partners on agreed terms including government to provide adequate water resources perhaps by sinking boreholes based on the density, distribution and settlement patterns of the small holder farmers.
Institute and sustain capacity-building through short courses and field visits by experts in agribusiness, dairy husbandry, breeding and artificial insemination, clean milk production and improved dairy nutrition.
Engage the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock and request for the establishment of a specialized dairy extension system for small-scale dairy farmers including field visits by veterinary officers to address the issues relating to disease outbreaks.
Consider the possibility of introducing dairy goat production among the small-scale farmers to take advantage of browse.
Teach small holder farmers the art and skill of hay making (This would include the growing of leguminous forage such as Lucerne and known nutritious species of grass which can be harvested for making better quality hay).
Provide skills in silage production which is high-moisture fodder preserved through fermentation in the absence of air (Silage can be made from grasses, fodder sorghum, green oats, green maize or Napier grass - an ideal crop for silage making should;
contain an adequate level of fermentable sugars in the form of water-soluble carbohydrates,
have dry matter content in the fresh crop above 20%,
possess a physical structure that will allow it to compact readily in the silo after harvesting (Crops not fulfilling these requirements may require pre-treatment such as- field wilting, to reduce moisture, fine chopping, generally 20–25 mm preferred to allow compaction and use of additives to increase soluble carbohydrates).
4.6.1 Dairy Science Research
The art of dairy science is not yet fully understood in Zambia. It may be necessary to engage government through the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock in conjunction with the local universities to establish a modern dairy research facility. This will enable the country to take advantage of the current levels of technology and advances in cell and molecular biology to improve milk production in the country.
We wish to thank numerous people who reviewed the drafts. We also thank those individuals who were willing to be interviewed and who gave us information about cattle keeping and milk production.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
The authors of this article declare no competing professional or personal interests to affect the results/ findings or the validity of this research publication.
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Zambia. Central Statistical Office. (2016). 2015 Living Conditions Monitoring Survey Report. Central Statistical Office.
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Goopy, J. P., & Gakige, J. K. (2016). Smallholder dairy farmer training manual. ILRI (aka ILCA and ILRAD).
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Ellegren, H. (1999). Inbreeding and relatedness in Scandinavian grey wolves Canis lupus. Hereditas, 130(3), 239-244.
Hamer, H.D. and Biemba, G. (2016). Improving early childhood development in Zambia. Protocol v5. Lusaka.
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Chapoto, A., Zulu-Mbata, O., Beaver, M., Chisanga, B., Kabwe, S., Kuteya, A. N., ... & Sitko, N. (2016). Rural agricultural livelihoods survey: 2015 survey report. Indaba Agricultural Policy Research Institute (IAPRI).
Mofya-Mukuka, R., & Simoloka, A. (2016). Nutrition and Food Security: The Role of Forest Resources in Eastern Zambia (No. 1092-2016-87637).
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Jonsson, N. N., Bock, R. E., & Jorgensen, W. K. (2008). Productivity and health effects of anaplasmosis and babesiosis on Bos indicus cattle and their crosses, and the effects of differing intensity of tick control in Australia. Veterinary parasitology, 155(1-2), 1-9.
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Makala, L. H., Mangani, P., Fujisaki, K., & Nagasawa, H. (2003). The current status of major tick borne diseases in Zambia. Veterinary Research, 34(1), 27-45.
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Mason, I.L. (1996). A World Dictionary of Livestock Breeds, Types and Varieties, 4th ed. CAB International, Wallingford, UK.
McDowell, R. E., Wilk, J. C., & Talbott, C. W. (1996). Economic viability of crosses of Bos taurus and Bos indicus for dairying in warm climates. Journal of Dairy Science, 79(7), 1292-1303.
McGuckin, T. (1983). Alfalfa management strategies for a Wisconsin dairy farm: an application of stochastic dominance. North Central Journal of Agricultural Economics, 43-49.
Mejia, C.E., Preston, T.R., and Fajersson, P. (1998). Effects of restricted suckling versus artificial rearing on milk production, calf performance and reproductive efficiency of dual purpose Mpwapwa cattle in a semi-arid climate. Livestock Research for RuralDevelopment, http://www.fao.org/ag/aga/agap/frg/lrrd/lrrd10/1/meji101.htm. [2014-10-15].
Moran, J. (2005). Tropical dairy farming: feeding management for small holder dairy farmers in the humid tropics. Csiro publishing.
Mudd, A., Alexander, L., Waworuntu, R., Berg, B., Donovan, S., and Dilger, R. (2017). What Is in Milk? How nnutritioniInfluences the ddeveloping brain. Front. Young minds. 5:16. Doi: 10.3389/frym.2017.00016.
Mzumara, B., Bwembya, P., Halwiindi, H., Mugode, R., & Banda, J. (2018). Factors associated with stunting among children below five years of age in Zambia: evidence from the 2014 Zambia demographic and health survey. BMC nutrition, 4(1), 1-8.
Nelson, H., and Jurmain, R. (1991). Introduction to physical anthropology. West Publishing Company, New York.
Olofsson, L. (2013). Milking routines and hygiene in small-scale dairy farms in Mapepe, Choma and Batoka districts in Zambia.
Onono, J. O., Wieland, B., & Rushton, J. (2013). Constraints to cattle production in a semiarid pastoral system in Kenya. Tropical animal health and production, 45(6), 1415-1422.
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Rurinda, J., Mapfumo, P., Van Wijk, M. T., Mtambanengwe, F., Rufino, M. C., Chikowo, R., & Giller, K. E. (2014). Sources of vulnerability to a variable and changing climate among smallholder households in Zimbabwe: A participatory analysis. Climate Risk Management, 3, 65-78.
STELWAGEN, K., & KNIGHT, C. H. (1997). Effect of unilateral once or twice daily milking of cows on milk yield and udder characteristics in early and late lactation. Journal of Dairy Research, 64(4), 487-494.
Ugarte, J. (1991). Restricted suckling in dual purpose systems. Feeding Dairy Cows in the Tropics. FAO Animal Production Health paper, (86), 199-207.
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AMIGIS: Organic EVOO (Extra Virgin Olive Oil)
Niko and his family have been producing olive oil from their olive grove for many years. The olive grove produces extra virgin olive oil imported from Tanagra, Greece and bottled in America. The name, Amigis pronounced (A-ME-YEES) from the greek word meaning pure. Our first trees were planted in the 1930's by Niko's yiayia(grandmother) and her siblings, and we have kept them healthy and growing olives for all these years to now produce our olive oil for you! Amigis olive oil is grown, pressed and farmed by family and shared with friends.


Potassium is an element essential for human and plant health. It is found in the environment in the form of natural salts and used heavily by plants. Potassium is easily depleted in soil, and is thus an ingredient in many fertilizers.
Potash is the term used to describe potassium chloride and other salt deposits that are mined for commercial used in fertilizers and other applications such as electroplating and melting snow and ice. Potash can also be created by burning hardwood to harvest the potassium-rich ashes, as was once done in Potash Cove in Thompson Lake, near Poland, Maine. Today, Canada is the world's largest potash producer.
What is the "Available Potassium" test?
Available potassium is the amount of bio-available potassium in soil or other solid samples. Most of the potassium in soil cannot be used by plants. Available potassium is sometimes used to determine how much fertilizer to add to farmland.
Maine Maximum Exposure Guideline limit: not established
USA Primary Drinking Water Standard limit: not established
USA Secondary Drinking Water Standard limit: not established
Mindat.org, "The Mineralogy of Potassium"
MEL Test Method for Potassium:
Drinking Water – 200.7 (not regulated by SDWA)
Wastewater – EPA 200.7 R4.4 (NPDES Compliant)
Solids – EPA 6010B, 6010C (SW846) (RCRA Compliant)
Container: plastic, glass
Hold Time: 6 months if preserved with HNO3 to pH<2, otherwise 2 weeks
Preservation: HNO3 to pH<2
Container: plastic, glass, baggie
Volume: a least 150g
Hold Time: 6 months


Monday, April 5, 2010
A sweet lady, named Allison, found out about our new business and wanted to come over to our place and interview us, for her online magazine of sorts. It was a pleasure to meet her and have her sit around with us for quite a while and hear our stories of why we started Urban Eden. If interested in reading more, please visit:
Sunday, March 28, 2010
We were honored to be asked to set up a booth yesterday, to introduce Urban Eden, at the Green Impact Zone event. The Green Impact zone is for the folks who live in a 150 block radius stretching between Troost and Prospect. We met a couple hundred people, and they were beyond kind and intrigued! The purpose of this event is to meet people, once again invest in them (giving them opportunities to gain skills like gardening, etc). Grant and I totally dug it. This is what we wish we could do full-time... empower neighborhoods and whole communities to grow their own sustainable gardens and set them up for success! We know how much it has affected our lives to be able to grow our own food (physically, spirtually, etc.) and we want to be able to assist anyone who has even a twinkle in their eye about the possibility! We love our 'job!'
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Grant and I have been working so hard these past couple of weeks. And to proudly show for it, we have installed garden beds for 3 different families already! In particular, Grant was so privileged to custom build an outdoor tabletop garden bed for an elderly gentleman. He has had severe arthritis and has not been able to garden for many years. I wish I would have taken a picture, to capture his facial expressions, when we carried it into his back yard. Overjoyed. This is just one of the reasons why we absolutely love Square Foot Gardening. It makes gardening accessible to everyone!
Sunday, March 7, 2010
While Paige and I are starting this business doing organic Square Foot Gardening installation, consultation, and eco-friendly lawn care, we also want to provide opportunities for people to learn how to grow their own food. This is for a number of reason that I will write about at another time, but for now I want you all to know about an upcoming class I am teaching through Communiversity.
9:00 AM to 11:30 AM; Saturday, March 13th; UMKC campus, Flarsheim Hall, Room 262.
If any are interested, I am teaching a class on the All-New Square Foot Gardening. Learn an organic way to grow 100% of the harvest using: 20% of the space, 10% of the water, 5% of the seeds, 2% of the work, and 0% of the weeds! Sounds impossible? Come and learn how this efficient, productive, and eco-effective system works. Square Foot Gardening is also very beginner friendly. Class will participate in practical learning activities. Cost for class is $9 to Communiversity. There is a $2 fee for handouts, and an optional book for $20. You can register for the class through Communiversity.
The class I taught in February was a great group. I enjoyed getting to teach, and learn from the people that attended. If you can't make it this Saturday, or have a group of 12 or more who would be interested in having me come and teach a class, please don't hesitate to get in touch with me. I am passionate about spreading the word, and empowering people by creating access to good organic food. Be blessed.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Grant started growing our veggie seeds last week! We already have so many varieties growing strong! These include two different kinds of kale, collards, lettuce, Cherokee and Brandywine tomatoes, and jalepenos! Next will be, by my earnest request, lots of basil and cilantro. We use these fresh herbs in almost every meal (and snack)! To me, nothing beats Grant's homemade pasta sauce, tossed over whole wheat pasta, with a handful of chopped sweet basil!
We are growing these organic seeds, using organic methods, because we want to know where our food comes from and that it is safe. For those who use our services, we want to make these seedlings available for purchase and/or planting! Pricing information to come. Thanks!
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
For those of you who are wanting to get your own green thumb (at an extremely economical cost), Grant has already taught a Square Foot Gardening class through Communiversity, and is going to teach another one in March! It's only $9 to sign up! Hooray for gardening season just around the corner!


AGRICULTURE, Fisheries and Forestry Minister John McVeigh and Environment and Heritage Protection Minister Andrew Powell have vowed to stand up to Canberra over its plans to allow fresh imports of Malaysian pineapples and Fijian ginger.
Both ministers met with pineapple growers and agronomists at Beerwah last week to discuss concerns with the Federal Government's release of import risk analysis reports on pineapples and ginger.
Mr McVeigh said Queensland had been Australia's major pineapple producer for a century.
"Allowing these imports could devastate the industry by allowing in exotic diseases like bacterial heart rot and fruit collapse," Mr McVeigh said.
"We must ensure our pineapple industry is not threatened by diseases from imported pineapples.
"If the worst happens, like it has in Hawaii, crop losses would be huge and local jobs will be lost."
Growcom pineapple industry development officer Cherie Gambley said bacterial fruit collapse was a devastating disease affecting pineapples across Malaysia.
"This disease is undetectable in its latent phase and currently untreatable," Ms Gambley said.
"If it establishes in Australia, it will be highly damaging to our iconic pineapple industry."
Mr Powell said pineapple growers were a key part of the region's history and future.
"This industry is worth $80 million annually and underpins 1000 jobs on farms and in the supply chain in Queensland during the peak season," he said.
"The farmers don't want their livelihoods jeopardised.
"It's not good enough," Mr Powell said.


Before We Left:
Our garden is putting out more produce than we have time to process. Travis and I processed acorn squash, squash seeds, tomatoes, and cucumbers before we left. Then we had and have to process more once we got home! Yep during the time we were gone a few tomatoes juiced, and fruit flies occurred. Boo!
We have lots of cabbage, Spaghetti Squash, and kale as well. The Spaghetti Squash and cabbage I use in dishes. The kale we steam for breakfast. We're getting to the point where kale will be washed, dried, and ground for winter smoothies.
Travis picks tomatoes. I line the red ones up in 1 window, the 1/2 red ones in another window, and the green ones in yet another window. I rotate them. Once I have about a gallon of tomatoes I boil them, give them an ice bath, peel them, and deseed them. I make the boys help. Isaak's always been a pretty good helper. Mica on the other hand...well we struggle.
Travis pours the extra tomato juice in ice cube trays for vegetable juice. Once we have quite a few gallon bags of tomatoes we can them. We usually just can jars of tomatoes. Then we can use them for whatever recipe we want to down the road.
A 24 Quart Pot Ready to Can:
I've been making Sun Dried Tomatoes with the Cherry Tomatoes.
Sun Dried Tomatoes are Really Easy to Make:
- Set the oven to 200 degrees
- Spray a pan
- Wash and cut the tomatoes in 1/2
- Deseed the tomatoes
- You can season them how you wish - basil, salt and pepper is usually what I use
- Bake for about 5 hours, stir, check on them every hour after that - usually they end up baking for about 8 hours
I just put them in a closed container in the refrigerator. I know people store them in oil to.
We use them in eggs, on cheese toast (melt the cheese over them), and on salads.
This weekend it's time to can relish. I want to try cinnamon pickles. We have lots of dill, and bread and butter pickles.
What would you make with lots of tomatoes and Cucumbers?


So you want a raised garden for vegetables, but don’t have a boatload of cash? Use what America is built with: pressure treated 2×4’s.
But but but, chemicals!
When originally looking into building raised beds I saw many articles requiring cedar, and shying away from pressure treated pine because of Arsenic. This has been factually incorrect for more than 10 years. CCA (Chromated Copper Arsenate) hasn’t been used to treat lumber since 2003 (see the EPA). And there the big issue isn’t actually leaching, but burning the wood and dealing with the ash. That said, use cedar if it’s reasonable. It smells great and looks awesome too, if you ask me. But at my lumberyard here, cedar 2x4x8’s are >$8 a piece. Pressure treated pine are ~$3 a pop.
What to buy
- 9 2x4x8 Boards
- 1 4x4x8 Board
- Deck screws certified for pressure treated lumber
For the last one, I personally love these guys: FastenMaster FMGD003-75 GuardDog Exterior Wood Screw, Tan, 3-Inch, 75-Pack. They even come with a pozisquare bit in the package which has all the great features of a Phillips and a Robertson head… end result: let your drill bit fly and don’t worry about stripping it.
- Cut 3 x 2x4x8 boards in half
- Cut 4 x 1.5 foot sections from the 4x4x8
- The 4 x 4x4x1.5 pieces are vertical posts
- The 6 x 2x4x4 pieces are for the short sides (stacked 3 high)
- The 6 x 2x4x8 pieces are for the long sides (stacked 3 high)
Assuming you are placing this somewhere that is currently grass.
- Drop your mower as low as it will possibly go and mow the area.
- Feel free to do stuff to physically (not chemically!) abuse whatever vegetation is left.
- Dig 4 holes at each corner for the posts
- Place the frame on the ground with the posts in your new holes
- Use a mattock or shovel or your hands if you have to, and break up the soil as much as possible to approximately 12″ below the surface.
- Do soily stuff
- Plant plants
This is worthy of a section of its own because your soil is where all of your hard work should go. If you want good plants focus on good soil, the rest will come.
There are a few ways to go with this.
Buy in bulk
If you have a local supplier who is worthy of your business, you can buy garden soil by the yard and haul it yourself or have it delivered. Just remember that 1 square yard covers 27 square feet 1 ft deep in soil. Make sure that the soil has been composted or “cooked”. You want the temperature to have been high enough to kill off residual seeds of weeds and such. You want the soil to have lots of awesome organic components to feed your plants and to provide that nice structural balance that promotes root growth and proper water retention. If they send you something that looks like topsoil send it back immediately. I have heard horror stories of raised gardens full of clay. Try not to let anyone unload anything other than rich, near-black, spongy awesomeness in your driveway/yard.
Buy by the bag
It’s easy enough to get bags of organic garden soil at your local garden center or big box retailer. And this is one of those times organic really pays off. Rather than just adding fertilizer to soil + filler, your typical organic soil will have those sweet sweet organic components that will continue to pay dividends both chemically and in terms of consistency for years.
Ammend your soil
This takes a lot more knowledge and work. You need to know your existing soil and know how to work it to get it the right consistency and achieve the correct chemical balance to make typical vegetables happy. This is more than a topic in itself.
Start composting for next year
I can’t emphasize this enough. You will want it to amend your soil and for your expansion plans which will naturally result after you get hooked. You can start with just a pile or get a fancy composter. But get to work.
I got into setting up a rain barrel, and also setting up a drip-irrigation system. I’ve enjoyed playing with both. The latter especially seemed to help get bountiful vegetables and prevent disease by keeping leaves dry (in my humid climate).
Read science backed articles
I cannot emphasize this enough. Don’t use that spray you found on Pintrest to kill weeds. Yes it will kill the weed, but it will also make the soil you hit with it barren. Look at your state university’s agricultural information it’s often incredibly useful. Look for people citing sources.
When you can’t find science, go back to folk wisdom
It’s closer to science than internet wisdom. Talk to people at locally owned and operated nurseries and garden centers. Ask what works. Judge what they say by what you know. If they make crap up about something you know, then they’re probably not reputable.


443: Mini Arabidopsis Multi-Start Puzzle
|Name:||443: Mini Arabidopsis Multi-Start Puzzle|
|Expired:||08/06/2011 - 09:00|
|Description:||This small unsolved Arabidopsis protein only has 59 residues and negatively controls the biosynthesis of starch in plants and regulates leaf and seed composition. We are giving you 5 Zhang server models as starts for this puzzle. Each time you reset the puzzle one of them will randomly be chosen. They are also in the Alignment Tool so you can use partial threading and an extended chain. More info in the puzzle comments.|
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May 05, 2022 - May 31, 2022
May Community Partner/Project
From the Local and Global Impact Team of CCWC
Do you have a green thumb in the garden? Do you want to learn how to have a green thumb? Then CCWC’s May Community Project is just for you! Learn more about gardening, share your knowledge, and enjoy time with your church family! Sign up at the table at the Next Steps area if you would like to help plan, establish, or even have your own plot in our community garden this upcoming growing season!