Whether you’re looking for a shade plant to protect your yard, a place for butterflies to thrive or a food and medicine source, elderberry is a versatile shrub that’s easy to grow. These shrubs perform well in most climates and require little maintenance, so they’re the ideal choice for any gardener.
Early Life and Education
John elderberry grew up in a small historic Mississippi River hamlet called Hartsburg, Missouri. He earned his bachelor of science degree in agriculture from Missouri State University and then began working at Eridu Farm, a pioneering organic farm in the area. He was an ardent advocate of educating consumers about the benefits of organic agriculture and helping to develop a new market for elderberries in the United States.
With a commitment to developing a new industry from the ground up, Durham founded River Hills Elderberry Producers (RHEP), the first dedicated grower-supported elderberry collective in the country. RHEP would work to recruit, educate and develop new independent growers and co-ops across the United States to expand the elderberry market. This was a challenging task given the fact that there was no existing elderberry market in the United States.
Durham’s journey began in 1978 in the tiny historic Mississippi River hamlet of Hartsburg, Missouri, where he grew organic vegetables at Eridu Farm. He was drawn to the organic movement as a means of improving the quality of life of farmers and their families, while also promoting conservation of resources. In the years that followed, Durham established himself as an industry leader in his field. During this time, he helped to develop a brand-new elderberry market in the United States.
In addition to his work with Eridu Farm, Durham founded Elderberry Farms in 2002. The business specializes in the cultivation of elderberry, a unique edible flowering plant that grows only in a few select places in the United States. The company’s mission is to “rewild” the elderberry plant by introducing the crop to an entirely new market and promoting the benefits of the fruit.
Achievements and Honors
John elderberry has received several awards for his work. He has also been recognized for his leadership in the development of the Elderberry Improvement Project. This project has involved the State Fruit Experiment Station (SFES) at Southwest Missouri State University, Andrew Thomas of the University of Missouri–SWREC, and Patrick Byers.
The project is dedicated to improving the performance of the native and European elderberry (Sambucus nigra L.). The project aims to identify superior germplasm and cultivars, and also perform cultural studies.
The project was launched in 2003 with ten selections and two commercial cultivars (‘Adams 2’ and ‘Johns’) planted at Mt. Vernon and Mountain Grove in southwest Missouri and Corvallis, Oregon (Byers and Thomas, 2005). Later plantings include six selections and three commercial cultivars (‘York’, ‘Wyldewood’, and ‘Bob Gordon’) at Mt. Vernon, Mountain Grove and Lincoln University in Missouri.
John Elderberry is a husband and father of three children. He enjoys spending time outdoors with his family, especially when hunting for elderberries, and is passionate about his craft of wood turning. He has been turning wood since he was 12 years old and has spent the past 15 years mastering his craft.
In addition to working on his craft, John spends a lot of time helping people in his community, and is particularly involved with an organization called The Refuge, which provides free discipleship to men and women who are struggling with drug addiction. A portion of all sales from Spoonful of Elderberry goes directly to The Refuge to help them with their mission. They also work with several other organizations that support families.
Your net worth is the sum of your assets minus your liabilities (debts). A positive net worth indicates that you own more money than you owe. Conversely, a negative net worth shows that you have less money than you owe. Your net worth is one of the most reliable financial indicators and a good place to start when assessing your financial situation. You can use this calculator to find out your current net worth and estimate how it will change in the future based on the rate of growth you expect for your assets and liabilities. You can also enter a negative figure for your liabilities if you expect to shrink them over time. This is a handy tool for anyone who wants to track their financial progress on a regular basis and make sure they are on track to meet their goals.


I think Nepal is the country of rice. They eat it twice a day. They grow it everywhere and basically every farmer has at least one rice field.
July is the time of the year where the rice gets planted, and since I am currently staying in a village in Nepal, I get to witness this process every day.
Only witnessing however, is quite boring. Seeing the men break the mud up with their ox-driven carts and watching the women bend over standing ankle-deep in the mud to place the little green grass-like rice plants in the watery mud is only interesting for so long. So what does an interested volunteer do? That’s right. They plant rice.
So I rolled up my pants and stepped into the mud. the watery soil squishing through my feet, the water sloshing along my calves occasionally sending sprays of mud-water onto my black cotton pants. At first I stood there watching Aayusha give water to the women, but then I joined in. After all, it doesn’t look that hard.
So in the time that every woman on the field placed something like 10 little bushels within the mud, I was able to tear one plant apart from the bushel in my hand and place it in the field. I think I was disturbing the women more than I was helping. After only a couple of minutes, and a handful of rice planted later Ayusha motions me to go back home. Obviously I was not very good at rice planting.
I guess I wont become a rice farmer. I think I’ll live.
Having said that, it was actually really quite cool (to be doing that for a couple minutes). However, I do not understand how these woman can stand in the fields all day. The sun burning down, the only cool part of the body being the feet, and maybe the right hand from placing the rice in the mud. I was sweating after only such a short time. The women had been working since day break. It’ actually quite amazing.
I will definitely keep watching these completely covered up women do their work. with their colourful scarves draped around their faces so only their eyes peek out to protect their head, face and neck from the burning Terai sun. Wearing their long sleeved button-down shirts over their traditional shirts and pants to protect their arms.
It really is quite a sight.


They say that fruit is nature’s candy—so let’s get more of that candy in our lives. One way to do so is to grow your own fruit. If you have daydreamed about growing your own fruit before but then remembered you are lacking the yard with acres of space for trees, don’t you worry. For those living in apartments or without much of a backyard, growing fruit indoors is surprisingly doable. With these plant suggestions, you’ll be happily snacking on your own homegrown fruit in no time (plus growing time)!
Calamondin Orange Tree
Picture combining a kumquat and an orange and you will end up with the calamondin orange. One perk of this fruit is that it is self-fertile and after its first two years, it will be in bloom almost year round. You'll know that these fruits are ready when they are firm and yellow or yellow-orange. You want to use these little guys soon after you pick them from your tree. These fruits are used in similar ways as limes or lemons and can be used to make a yummy marmalade.
Ahh, strawberries are many people's favorite fruit. Thankfully strawberries are one of the easiest plants to grow indoors! Be deliberate in choosing the ever-bearing strawberry variety if you want more than one harvest a year, which of course you do! Make sure you keep these plants by your windows and after you plant them, water them daily when they are still growing and then switch to watering them only when the top inch of the soil is dry after.
Fig trees are great for two reasons: one, they self-pollinate and two, you get to choose the size your fig tree grows to. You decide the fig tree size based on how you prune your tree and what size pot you choose. With this plant, you’ll want to fertilize your tree monthly and if you want to have fruits in your first year, make sure to buy a tree that is at least two years old! With these details, go and plant your own fig tree. Soon you’ll be making your own fig bars and some fancy salads.
Dwarf Meyer Lemon Tree
One of the great things about lemon trees is that you get to enjoy them twice. You’ll enjoy the smell of lemon wafting throughout your apartment and you’ll also get to enjoy their flavor as you start cooking with your new citrus plant. Because normally lemon trees grow in sunny, more humid environments, make sure to keep your lemon tree by a window and to spray its leaves with a water in a spray bottle. These tart fruits are hardy once they are grown so you don’t need to be in a rush to pick them as soon as they are ripe.
Now you can fulfill your daydreams about picking a fresh fruit and casually eating it in the comfort of your own home. Enjoy an extra piece of fruit for me!


The Seed Library at OCPL is free and available at all our branches. Simply stop by and check out the variety of seeds you want. We offer 20 varieties of heirloom, non-gmo vegetable, herb, and fruit seeds. Patrons may check out up to 5 packets of each variety. Take these home and plant them in your home garden. At the end of the growing season, collect and save seeds from your harvest. Return some of your saved seeds to the library, and keep some for yourself for next year. We understand that gardening can be an uncertain venture, so you will never be penalized for not returning seeds if your crops fail. The purpose of the Seed Library is to promote healthy habits, community involvement, and sustainable living.
Seed Library Kick-off
It’s planting time! The 2015 OCPL Seed Library will be available at all libraries starting March 16th. Drop in the Main Library from 10-noon on Saturday, March 14th for a small celebration of the Seed Library. This will be the first opportunity to check out seeds. We’ll have a few planting opportunities available that day to help you get started on your garden.
Share your garden! Connect with other gardeners on our facebook Seed Library group page; share tips, post pictures of your garden, get advice from other growers. Check out our Pinterest Board for gardening tips!


- Written by Leira Vic G. Colongon
- Published: 19 June 2018
The farmers, traders, municipal agriculturists, and agency representatives from the different parts of Oriental Mindoro gathered to attend the Stakeholders’ Consultation for the crafting of the Value Chain Analysis for Saba Banana.
The saba banana, aside from calamansi and cashew, is also one of the top agricultural commodities in the Provinces of Oriental Mindoro and Palawan.
After approval of Palawan’s Value Chain Analysis (VCA) for saba banana, MIMAROPA prepares for a regional VCA of the said industry in Oriental Mindoro to address issues and concerns.


Hutson School of Agriculture dean Dr. Tony Brannon says the online bachelor’s degree is modeled after the successful Master of Science program.
Brannon says the online degree option is designed for those who may be limited by geography, time or other circumstances yet want to better themselves with a degree in higher education.
Dr. Brian Parr, head of the agricultural sciences department, believes that this newest online degree offering through the University’s school of agriculture will afford opportunities for more students.
The degree, which can be completed in four years, can also be pursued in a traditional format on the University’s main campus in Murray.
Possible career options for students with this degree include precision agriculture technician, agricultural extension agent, agricultural service technician, agricultural sales and many other careers related to emerging technologies in agriculture.
The Hutson School of Agriculture has been at the forefront of innovative and proactive approaches to delivering curriculums in an online format. In fact, the school’s master’s program has tripled in size over the past three years and enrolls students from multiple states and continents.


Trust. Collaboration. Action.
United against environmental destruction and poverty, we stand.
Project Director: Apoorva Rangan
The first step was to secure seed funds to launch this program. In the beginning of 2009, Ashoka Youth Venture was accepting applications for a seed grant of $1000 from bay area youth who wish to launch social ventures. We came up with a detailed plan. We chose Somana Halli Higher Primary school from Rural India and the Mission of Hope School from Haiti. Apoorva came up with a detailed program proposal for the school from rural India where as Callie took upon the task of writing a proposal for the school from Haiti. we defended our proposal in front of a community panel and we were awarded the seed grant for the Adopt a Rural School program for 2010.
First Model: Somana Halli Higher Primary School in Hunsur area
A Collaboration between Project Jatropha, Talent High School from Hunsur, India and Somana Halli Higher Primary (Elementary) School from Hunsur India.
During our 2010 summer project site visit, we successfully launched this program in our first model school.
Step I : Selection of science kits, School books and saplings for garden:
We held a meeting with the science and humanities teacher, Ms. Nalina. She explained to us the necessities to establish a solid, basic science curriculum. We did research on the available science kits in Mysore. We visited several learning supplies stores, libraries, and book stores. We compiled a list of books that are usually read by elementary school kids. We took our parents to help us choose some of the books in local language. We shared the list with Ms. Nalina to seek her approval. Most of the books we chose were appropriate for the school children. We bought books in local language Kannada. and English. Choosing the science kits was a fun experience. We purchased almost all of the kits that were available after getting a firsthand experience of using them.
The last part was choosing the plants for our fruit orchard program. In our previous visit, we had assessed the land availability in the school premises. Based on the availability of land, we came up with a precise list of plants. We visited the local plant nurseries and spent time in choosing the appropriate varieties. The list includes Teak, Pongamia, Mango, Curry Leaves, Sapota Guava, moringa etc. We purchased the plants the previous day itself so that it was easier for us to pick them up next day morning before going to the school.
Stpe II : Collaboration with Talent School of Hunsur for Anchor:
That Friday Aug 13th was a special day for the students and teachers of both Somana Halli and Talent School. We reached the Somana Halli school at 9 AM. The Talent school students joined us soon after. We had a special assembly at the school premises. The kids were very excited about this.
We gave the science kits, and books to the teachers. We spoke to the kids. We dug pits, planted the saplings both in front of the school and within their premises involving the kids of Somana Halli and Talent schools. We watered the plants along with the kids. It is a gated facility. This is of great importance prevent the cattle grazers from entering.
STEP IV : Assigning Responsibilities to School Children:
We spoke to the kids at length in small groups and explained the importance of those plants. With the help of the teachers, the students were divided into groups and given responsibility of specific plants. Each group is assigned with weekly duties. They have a sense of ownership.
STEP V : Bonding with the students:
The last activity was mingling with the kids. We sang and danced together. By the end of the day, we were like their older siblings. We were all teary when the time came to say good bye. However, we told them that it was just the beginning of a wonderful relationship. We returned return again in the summer of 2011 to see the progress. The first year was critical as it was a new concept to all of them. However, our venture is a huge success.
Our sincere thanks to Amy Wilson, Ravi Mistry and John Granados for all their help, support, and timely advice. Finally, thanks to Ashoka Youth Venture for providing us the seed grant.


AN EXQUISITE TOUR FOR CHOCOLATE
Visit a cocoa farm and learn about the cultivation and production process of cocoa. Participate in a chocolate tasting and recognize the different varieties and flavors. Tour several cocoa plantations, get up close to cocoa plants, and learn about their care and harvesting. Discover sustainable agricultural practices and the importance of preserving the origin of cocoa. Learn about chocolate and observe the process of transforming cocoa into chocolate. Participate in making your own chocolate with natural ingredients. Embark on a level 1 trekking route, reach a waterfall, and exfoliate your skin with cocoa. Have lunch by the river like a typical Colombian. Relax in the river, enjoy the sounds of nature, and soak in the waterfall. Finally, immerse yourself in the local culture: visit nearby villages, experience their architecture, gastronomy, and handicrafts. Indulge in traditional cocoa-based dishes and discover the versatility of chocolate in local cuisine. Come back to your resting spot.


Better Biochar is a Climate Change Antidote
Across the Pacific Northwest, 40 producers, engineers, and scientists are working together to better understand the use of biochar - charcoal produced from plant matter. Their goal is to advance a research and development program to encourage the production and higher use of biochar as it can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and withdraw CO2 from the atmosphere.
In 2022, the U.S. market for biochar is expected to be $341.1 million, according to a report from Global Industry Analysts, Inc., a California-based market research company.
“There are a number of different ways to create biochar. We want to emphasize the need to maximize climate change mitigation with its use,” said Dr. Jim Amonette, geochemist at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Amonette is also an adjunct research professor of soil chemistry at the Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources at Washington State University.
The four primary technologies to make biochar are a portable flame cap kiln, a low-tech method with 25% to 55% carbon efficiency, an air curtain incinerator with high throughput but only 5% to 15% carbon efficiency, a slow pyrolysis kiln, which has 50% to 55% carbon efficiency, and gasifiers, with carbon efficiencies that range up to 60%.
“The biochar created from all of these processes is similar. We’re trying to make the best technologies available at the lowest cost to the most people. One way to do that is for people interested in creating biochar to pool resources. They can buy a large efficient system and run it with the material they collect,” said Amonette.
Virtual workshop, real report
In 2020, Amonette and his colleagues organized a virtual workshop with biochar producers and engineers. The group brainstormed how to implement biochar technologies in the Pacific Northwest. Federal and state funding supported both the workshop and resulting report, Biomass to Biochar: Maximizing the Carbon Value.
It can be hard to encourage biochar production because state and federal agencies have trouble regulating biochar processes.
It’s easier to burn a large pile of wood and other plant material than only a little bit at a time. Yet burning that much at once results in soot and methane. In addition, a small-scale producer who wants to create biochar has to get a U.S. EPA Title V permit. Testing for (that) costs up to $50,000 per year, (which) is prohibitive,” said Amonette.
One solution is to get agriculture and forestry producers to sell their residual biomass to larger entities like companies that make and use biochar commercially. For example, biochar is a primary ingredient in many different potting mixes.
“After that, we need to know who buys biochar. The list includes cannabis cultivators, “truck gardeners,” who grow produce on the outskirts of cities, master gardeners, and a few commodity crops, (like) wheat (and) corn, farmers,” said Amonette.
Biochar tends to be alkaline, which is not good for plants. However, composting helps decrease biochar's alkalinity, and in turn, the biochar helps minimize greenhouse gas emissions during composting.
Biochar can also be used in concrete to substitute aggregate materials like gravel and sand. It can be added to asphalt for highway construction too.
“Our workshop recommended a long-term national study involving 20 field sites with several in the Pacific Northwest. We want to see what solutions are financially and logistically feasible to collect and create biochar in Oregon and Washington,” said Amonette.
Amonette said the group is currently gathering support and potentially funding for the study from federal agencies and private foundations.
“The potential cost of a national study would be approximately $150 million a year for ten years. We’d gather crop yield and carbon offset information from growers using biochar. Then we’d follow their progress over the next few decades,” said Amonette.
Amonette said due to the cost, biochar supply exceeds demand. Carbon credits for biochar could help change this.
[Like what you read in The Carbonic? Help support climate journalism]
“Ultimately, we’re limited by the amount of biomass available to create biochar. Most of it is already spoken for. We have to be careful about how much plant material we take out of the forests, in particular,” said Amonette.
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As the summer winds down and the cool months of autumn start to set in, you might start thinking about preparing your lawn for the upcoming winter months.
After the summer, your lawn may be looking a little rough as the result of the heat, bugs, and weeds that are commonplace during the warmer times of the year, and properly preparing your lawn for the colder parts of the year will not only ensure that your lawn survives, but comes back in the spring greener and healthier than ever.
Today I’d like to offer you some tips to help you get your lawn ready for winter, and I’ll also be recommending some tools and gadgets you can use to make preparing your lawn as easy as possible.
Table of Contents
Tips For Preparing Your Lawn For Winter
Let’s get right into some tips to help you correctly prepare your lawn for winter. Getting your lawn ready for the winter isn’t an inherently difficult task, but there is a fair amount you have to remember. Let’s start with the basics.
Remove Fallen Leaves
If you live in a more northerly area, then you’re familiar with your lawn being covered in leaves when the trees begin shedding them. You may be tempted to simply leave all of the fallen leaves on your lawn throughout the winter, but this is generally inadvisable as letting leaves lie on top of your grass all winter can kill your lawn by smothering it.
If you don’t want to just throw your leaves out, however, you can add them to your compost pile (if you have one). Dry leaves will insulate your compost and prevent it from becoming too wet.
You can also recycle your dry, fallen leaves by grinding them up with a mulching mower and then leaving them to decompose on your lawn, which won’t negatively affect it.
Aerate Your Lawn
If you have a lawn made of cool-season grasses, then you’ll probably want to aerate your lawn in the autumn. Aeration involves breaking up layers of compacted soil, making it easier for the grassroots under the soil to absorb air, water, and other nutrients they need to survive.
There are a few types of aeration, although the best type is core aeration, which involves using a tool to dig up hundreds of small cylindrical plugs of soil from your lawn.
Dethatch Your Lawn
Thatch is a layer of mostly-dead grass that builds up on your lawn above the soil but below the green part of your grass. If your lawn has too much thatch, it will elevate the growing point of your grass above the soil. Grass needs to be under a sufficient layer of soil in the winter so that it’s insulated properly; otherwise, your grass will be far more susceptible to frost damage.
You can use core aeration to break up the layer of thatch under your grass, or you can use a dethatcher, which is a machine that is able to cut into the thatch below the grass and pull it up and out of your lawn.
Damaged turf can be repaired over the winter if you fertilize your lawn at the right time. For cold-season grasses, you should ideally fertilize your lawn twice before winter arrives; once in the early fall (mid-August to mid-September) and once in the late fall (mid-to late-October).
It’s important that you do your best to find the right time for fertilizing your lawn. Fertilizing it too early will cause your grass to grow too much before winter starts, which actually makes it more susceptible to damage, whereas fertilizing it too late will simply have no effect at all.
Ideally, you should use a fertilizer containing nitrogen and potash, and you should distribute your fertilizer, so your lawn gets about 1 pound of nitrogen for every 1,000 square feet.
Properly fertilizing your lawn in the autumn has numerous benefits:
- It increases the chlorophyll content of your grass, making it more vibrantly green
- It makes your grass less susceptible to freezing during the winter
- It helps your grass develop stronger, healthier roots
- it helps your grass sprout sooner in the spring
Trim Your Lawn
Making sure that your lawn is the right height before the snow hits will help it survive through the winter. In the autumn months, you should cut your grass to a slightly longer length than you normally would.
The length of your roots is proportional to the length that you permit your grass to grow; the longer your leaves are, the longer your roots will be too. Longer roots help your grass take in more nutrients and also make your grass more resistant to environmental stresses. Longer leaves also help insulate your lawn during the winter.
However, if you let your grass get too long before winter sets in, it can get matted, which leaves it susceptible to various diseases.
Tools For Preparing Your Lawn For Winter
Next, I’d like to suggest a few tools you can use to help you prepare your lawn for winter. These tools will make it far easier for you to complete all the tasks you need to ensure that your lawn is ready for snow.
1. Ergonomic Leaf Rake
The rake is a tried-and-true method for removing leaves and other debris from lawns. While it doesn’t work as quickly as a leaf blower, the upside is that a rake is way quieter.
What’s cool about this rake is that it features a handle with a D-grip, giving you extra control over your movements. It also features 24 durable steel teeth so you can rake up pretty much anything that might be lying on your lawn.
2. Core Aerator Tool
If you need a tool for core aeration, you should definitely consider something like this. This aerator is incredibly simple to use and makes it easy to aerate areas of your lawn relatively quickly.
Consisting of two hollow tines attached to a shovel-like handle, this aerator tool is made of durable steel and features a 37” handle designed to let you work for a long time without hunching over too much and hurting your back. This tool is also available as a spike aerator.
3. Electric Dethatcher
An electric dethatcher can make the process of removing thatch from your lawn incredibly easy. This electric dethatcher is similar to a powered push mower, but instead of mower blades, it has a rotating barrel covered in stainless steel tines.
These tines dig into your lawn, grab onto the layer of thatch, and pull it right out. This dethatcher plugs into a wall socket and comes with a 150′ power cord to help you cover the entirety of your lawn.
As we’ve mentioned, it’s good to use a fertilizer that contains plenty of nitrogen, as this will help your lawn survive through the winter. A nitrogen-based fertilizer will ensure that your lawn develops strong roots and looks bright and healthy in the spring.
A spreader can help you distribute your fertilizer as evenly as possible over your lawn. This spreader resembles a wheelbarrow with an opening at the bottom to distribute your fertilizer mixture; a rotating blade scatters the mixture evenly on the ground.
6. Robotic Lawn Mower
If you have a lawn that frequently needs to be trimmed, but you don’t feel like doing it yourself, then why not invest in a robotic lawnmower? True, they’re pretty expensive, but you also get a lot for your money.
This particular mower can cut up to half an acre of grass on a single charge. It can navigate your lawn almost entirely on its own, and it can even detect when it’s raining out so it can return to a sheltered area and wait out the storm.
If you’re looking for a cool gadget that can save you time on your lawn care, then a robot lawnmower is definitely worth considering.
Preparing your lawn for winter is incredibly important since it ensures the continued growth of your lawn when winter ends. Not preparing your lawn will lead to grass that looks patchy, brown, and unattractive.
There are lots of things you can do and tools you can use to help get your lawn ready for the winter. I hope that after reading what I have to share with you that you’re now fully prepared to start prepping your lawn for the first snowfall of the year!


Furera Isma Jumare holds a B.Sc. in Botany, M.Sc. in Crop Physiology and M.Sc. in Rural Development from Ahmadu Bello University, and M.A. in International Development Management from the University of Manchester funded by the Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Programme.
She has thirty years’ experience in the fields of agriculture and development – at the CBN, as an independent consultant with ENABLE2 (DFID), working with agencies such as Kano State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development and Jigawa State Investment Promotion Agency.
She served as a member of the Kaduna State Council of Agriculture (2004-2007)
Furera is the founder and CEO of MicroDevelopment Consulting Limited, leading its research, project management and capacity development activities.
She is a member of Nigerian Institute of Management (Chartered), member Institute of Directors, fellow of the Institute of Management Consultants (IMC) and an Independent Director on the board of Union Bank of Nigeria Plc.


Growing Food. Growing Community.
Dig It Farm: Year Four, GO! We are a small, growing, fresh produce farm, bringing the tastiest plant delights to you most Saturdays at the South Durham Farmers' Market and the Chapel Hill Farmers' Market, and directly to you through our mid-week CSA (Sign-up now to get a weekly delivery of veggies to a location near you!). I'm proud to be a part of the growing local food movement spreading across the country that gives communities direct access to tasty, fresh & healthy food raised in a responsible manner. Please peruse the website to see pictures of what we grow and how, and consult my handy-dandy chart to see when most items are available. Want to work/volunteer on a small-scale farm?! Or just have any questions, shoot me an email at David (at) DigItFarmNC (dot) com.


Connecting buyers with sellers of southern land
If you value integrity and are interested in buying or selling farm/agricultural, timber, recreational or other large tracts of land in North Florida, Southwest Georgia or Southeast Alabama, please contact us. As avid outdoorsmen and accomplished professionals, we strive to provide the most enjoyable experience for buyers and sellers of southern land.
What’s the story?
Look for warm and dry conditions ahead
In the USDA’s recently released Water and Climate Update, the three-month outlook for November through January is showing a high probability for warm and dry conditions across the southern U.S.
What does that mean for the outdoorsmen, hunter and farmer? It’s worth paying attention to the projected trends for planning and planting. Drill down a bit into the report to see how it will affect your land.
Read more »


The TrenchIt GLT Grader Blade has been designed for use in the drainage of agriculture and horticultural land.
Ideal for levelling, finish grading, backfilling at building sites, feedlots, tracks, races, paddock levelling and more!!
Trailed grader blade for tractors from 40-100hp.
GPS & Laser compatible Working widths 2m & 2.4m
Goose neck type for low down grading grunt.
Heavy duty construction, built in NZ.
Reversible and replaceable cutting edge.
In cab control box for auto or manual control.
Designed for dual receivers if running laser equipment.
Can be set up with 2D dual machine control laser.
To download the spec sheet for this machine click the button below.
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Want to find out more? Email us by clicking here, or call 0800 873 624 (TollFree NZ) or +64 7 578 1612


The first methanization unit located Île-de-France specialized in biowaste
The commissioning of the territorial methanization unit Equimeth was announced on September, 16th by CVE, Atlante Gestion’s partner for the financing of biogas projects. Atlante Gestion contributed last July to the financing of this plant located in Moret-Loing-et-Orvanne (77250), in Seine-et-Marne.
This operation was developed by CVE in partnership with the operator of the Energy Transition of the region, Île-de-France Énergies, 15% shareholder of Equimeth and which contributed up to €900,000 in subsidies. The project also received support from Ademe Île-de-France (€680,000) and the European Regional Development Fund (€680,000). In total, nearly €12 million has been invested in the project.
Promote the development of renewable energies
This unit aims to treat and recover the organic matter of the territory. With an installed capacity of 23 GWh per year, it is one of the largest biomethane production units in the Ile-de-France region and the first project developed by the CVE group in France.
Thus, up to 25,000 tons of organic matter will be treated each year by the facility, half of which is biowaste. This is equivalent to the annual gas consumption of nearly 4,000 French households. The organic matter residue comes out of the site in the form of digestate, a natural fertilizer that can then be used by about twenty farmers partners of the project.


Why do a spring cleanup?
A well maintained landscape begins with a spring cleanup.
A spring cleanup typically occurs between mid-February and mid-March, just before the first cut of the season and shortly after the last leaf removal. The cleanup serves two purposes. The most obvious one is aesthetics. Removing all the winter debris and last few leaves from the fall dramatically transforms the yard. The second one, described with more detail below, is function. Weeds are invasive, taking space away from other plants while smothering spring bulbs. Creating space for the healthy growth of desirable plants is an important aspect of the cleanup.
Components of a spring cleanup
Begin by removing those last few leaves in the bushes and turf.
Pull the remaining winter weeds and the spring weeds that grow much faster than anything else this time of year.
Blanket spray the beds to prevent those tiny little weeds that no one sees until several days after weeding. Applying a pre-emergent treatment will inhibit weeds from growing for a little while, and also contains a small percentage of fertilizer. This helps new and established plants sprout and shake off those winter time blues a little bit better. All the previous tasks prepare your bed space for a fresh application of mulch.
Leaves remaining on your turf areas, if left for a while, will block the turf from sunlight. Over an extended period of time, this will destroy the grass beneath it. This will create bare spots. Bare spots are areas of soil containing no turf, leaving room for weeds to move in. Place a handful of seed in the bare spots when the remainder of the leaves are removed. Wait until the seed has germinated before treating with a pre-emergent, if possible. If not, scratch the areas with a rake to break the barrier before applying the seed.
Contact Us today to schedule your spring cleanup!


The romantic images of rural life always include cows with bells around their necks, but that is by no means a thing of the past – it is still standard practice on some farms, especially in the mountains. However, these bells could soon be replaced with a chip that makes it possible to track down livestock even in terrain where they aren’t immediately visible. It remains to be seen whether or not the chip will replace cowbells entirely. One thing is certain, though – technological advances have brought radical change to agriculture in the last few decades, and that looks set to continue. Even rural life has long since arrived in the 21st century. This new reality is called “smart farming”.
Is there enough for everyone?
The world’s population just keeps on growing – by 2050, it is expected to be around 10 billion. This also means increased demand on food – after all, everyone needs to be fed. However, natural resources such as water are in limited supply, and valuable farming land is being built over – around 73 hectares a day in Germany alone. Monocultures and the use of fertilizers and crop protection products put pressure on the soil. Furthermore, not only does agriculture contribute to climate change globally by being responsible for around 23 percent of the world’s CO2 emissions, it is also a victim of the effects, with increased weather extremes such as droughts and heavy rain causing harvests to fail – resulting in the loss of food and resources. The key question is therefore how to safeguard food supplies for so many people without harming the environment.
of the world’s agricultural land could be barren by the year 2050 if we continue our current practices, according to the World Agricultural Report.
Sustainable development goals
Sustainable agriculture has a positive effect on all 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations, especially the following: 2, 6, 8, 12, 13, 15.
Digital and sustainable
Sustainable agriculture offers an answer to the question. Environmental impacts can be reduced by more targeted use of fertilizers and pesticides, resources such as water can be used more sparingly, fields can be managed more efficiently, and work processes can be made easier. Digital and connected technologies can be vital tools in this. Some examples of intelligent, more sustainable agriculture can already be seen. And it is still early days. The expansion of the 5G network will open up many more innovative applications in the future, as it can transfer large volumes of data in real time. This would make it possible to monitor self-driving machinery remotely, for instance.
Self-driving agricultural machinery uses satellite navigation to sow, fertilize, and plow with centimeter accuracy, thus avoiding the need for several passes. Our precision positioning system makes it possible to calculate the position of vehicles and machinery with an extremely high degree of accuracy. Sensors recognize when fields need irrigating, and intelligent software solutions automatically adjust the water volume to the soil conditions and the weather forecast for the coming days. Drones monitor the fields from the air and recognize where the targeted use of pesticides is required and where not, making it unnecessary to treat the entire field. With the help of an app, farmers can see how their animals are doing any time, and wherever they are, and provide them with the best possible care. The result is higher yields and less impact on the environment. More than that, simplified work processes also save time and money, safeguarding the farms’ existence.
Tim Höttges, Chairman of the Board of Management, Deutsche Telekom AG
“The most digital farmer has the biggest potatoes! Just like any other industry, agriculture is becoming more digitalized. […] Deutsche Telekom partners many agricultural companies in ‘smart farming’, for example in a pilot project with the ‘nPotato’ digital potato.”
Digital harvest helper
The “nPotato” – a kind of digital potato equipped with sensors – also came out of the Smart Farming World project. The nPotato can record movements caused by impact and rotation in real time and send messages about these to the farmer. This makes it possible, for example, to optimize the driving style of the harvesting vehicle to prevent damage to the harvested potatoes.
Without data, everything grinds to a halt.
If different types of agricultural machinery are connected to each other, they can share information relating to areas such as the weather, soil conditions, or the state of the plants. To ensure equipment from different manufacturers can be connected, we worked with agricultural machinery manufacturers on the “Smart Farming World” project to develop the necessary technological basis. Among other things, this enables optimum control of harvesting machines, targeted use of pesticides, and remote diagnostics in response to error messages.
Always on track
Farmers in Germany cultivated an average of 62.5 hectares of land each in 2019 – that’s roughly the equivalent of 87 soccer fields! To make it easier to manage these huge swathes of land, Deutsche Telekom has developed a highly accurate positioning and navigation system (Precise Positioning). This makes it possible to calculate the position of vehicles and machinery with great precision, even across the borders of German federal states. The technology thereby solves a previous problem – namely that no matter how good reception was, there could sometimes be discrepancies in positioning in the border areas between the federal states. With this equipment, vehicles and machinery can move around the fields with great precision using satellite navigation and automatic steering systems. Deutsche Telekom offers the technology via the mobile network, meaning no expensive infrastructure is needed. This cuts costs and removes one of the purchasing obstacles.
More precise than ever before
The margin of error in previous positioning technologies was around five meters. With Precise Positioning, on the other hand, accurate navigation is possible with a precision down to ten centimeters.
The latest trend – smart gardening
There’s work to be done at home in private gardens, too – and it isn’t always fun, and it can be time-consuming. You could say smart gardening is the hobby version of smart farming. Smart garden equipment from Gardena has been integrated into Deutsche Telekom smart home systems since 2019. This makes it possible to control smart robot lawn mowers or automatic watering systems, for example, saving time and resources.
Vegetables from the living room
Is it possible to grow lettuce, vegetables, and chili peppers in your living room? It is according to BerlinGreen, a start-up supported by Deutsche Telekom. The company has developed a smart mini-garden for indoors that is sure to fit in any apartment – it’s called the GreenBox. The box supplies the plants with the nutrients, light, and water they need. Via an app, integrated sensors indicate whether the room temperature is right, when the water needs refilling, and when the lettuce etc. are ready to be picked. It’s fun to grow things in your own home – and food that has been picked at home is fresh and doesn’t need to be transported. The intelligent mini-garden can easily be integrated into the Deutsche Telekom smart home system, which can also control it.
When clothing becomes a lifesaver
With the big machines and dangerous equipment they involve, there is a huge potential for accidents in agriculture and forestry. If the incident happens in a remote field or in a forest, smart clothing can help locate the injured person – and save lives.
How smart can the future be?
The potential for using smart technologies in agriculture is huge. However, similar sectors can also benefit from it. Take food traceability, for example. Increasing numbers of consumers want to know where the meat on their plate has come from, under what conditions the animals were kept and transported, whether the vegetables were treated with pesticides, and whether the coffee was grown under socially acceptable conditions. Smart solutions could bring more transparency to this in the future. The “Thank My Farmer” app can already find out where your morning cup of coffee came from. Quite smart, isn’t it?


LETTUCE EAT PLANTS!
Wolf Creek Farms is a Non-GMO, chemical free grower of produce and herbs. We are looking to provide affordable, healthy, naturally grown foods through sustainable & environmentally responsible methods that enhance our soil, protect our resources and are critter/bee friendly.
Wolf Creek features the best combinations of lettuce & more to develop the freshest, best tasting salads for homes, restaurants or food trucks. We also help support other local farms, which allows us to provide a variety of products for our customers.
THE WOLF CREEK WAY
We are the home of sustainable, small acre farming with the mission of providing great food for neighbors and customers, with smiles and service that makes customers comfortable with what they’re buying and placing on their tables and in their homes.
NEIGHBORHOOD FARMERS MARKET
Come out to the farm, and go through the store to see what’s available from other West Texas and local minded businesses like ours. The farm store will be open 10-6 Tuesday through Friday (year around), and 10-5 Saturdays (October - April)
For more information on our vendors and what we sell, head on over to our products page!
We are proud members of the West Texas Growers and Producers Association and GoTexan.
The WTGPA has a focus on transparency in growing practices, locality and sustainability. GoTexan is a Texas Department of Agriculture marketing arm for authentic Texas made or grown products throughout the state and around the world.


The first week of June is almost ready to bid us farewell. I woke up early this morning and grabbed my laptop first thing to check my messages and Facebook. Although I have a number of goals from here on end, I would say that killing my reflex of immediately reaching for my electronics would be high on the list.
Because we have been having lovely hot weather recently, I decided to take up a new challenge: Planting potatoes! I have been told that even if you have never worked with vegetables, the potato plant is a great place to begin. I bought healthy soil, followed the instructions I found on the internet, and after a month I was pleasantly surprised to find actual plants coming out of the ground. I showed them off to whoever stepped in the door and talked with neighbors to see if they could give me some tips. I was hoping to harvest my first crop this year, but after a trip to Korea I came back home to my house to find potatoes that had been long neglected while I was away. There was absolutely no rain while I was gone, and the potatoes started to rise out of the dirt, exposing themselves to the hot sun.
I was sad at the possibility of my potato planting efforts being in vain. However, as I was walking back home from the station this past week, I saw my neighbor Morita-san walking up the mountain ahead of me. He lives two minutes down the hill and he loves to talk about gardening. I ran up the mountain to catch up to him. In the beginning of my potato planting adventure, I mentioned often to him that I started making use of the big plot of land that I have. He would give me loads of advice and was excited about my new hobby. I was sad to have to let him know this time about the bad news. He immediately invited himself over to the house and told me he would check on them and give me a diagnosis.
He jumped right in and started covering the potatoes with dirt. He instructed me that no matter what you do, you have to hide them from the sun unless you want to eat very bitter vegetables. After a few minutes, he bid his farewell with a, “帰るわ！ Kaeruwa!”, and left as quickly as he came.
I followed his instructions and covered my precious potatoes with dirt and weeded the garden. I thought that that would be the end of gardening for this week, but this morning I heard a loud pounding on my front door at 8:00 AM. Who would that be at this time? My sisters? My mom?
I let out a timid, Hello? with no answer and slowly opened the door to find Morita-san with gloves and a little bag in hand. I was surprised to see him so early. He had come again to help with the garden and also had brought new sweet potato plants to grow. After working in the garden for a bit, he explained to me what I had to do, and again was quickly on his way.
After he left I watered my new sweet potatoes and headed back into the house with a smile on my face. I now have something better to do than going straight to the internet in the morning: working on my new potatoes from Morita-san.


The Glades region of western Palm Beach County is a vast and verdant swath comprised primarily of the designated Everglades Agricultural Area. Within those boundaries and along the southeastern rim of Lake Okeechobee lie the cities of Belle Glade, Pahokee, and South Bay, the westernmost communities in Palm Beach County. These greenbelt cities possess a unique vantage point. They are…
- Within a 100-mile radius of 75% of the state’s population.
- A gateway, at only 38 miles from the Palm Beaches and Florida’s Atlantic East Coast; 90 miles from Ft. Myers, Florida’s West Coast, and the Gulf of Mexico; and 90 miles north of Miami.
- The epicenter of agricultural production – primarily sugar cane and winter vegetables – with 500,000 acres of fertile muck soils.
- The launch pad to Lake Okeechobee itself: natural wonder, bass fishing paradise, and vital fresh-water resource.
- The home of 21st-century food processing, sugar milling and refining, manufacturing, distribution, and operations centers with a firm understanding of sustainability.
The Lake Region is home to a unique set of industry clusters that play to its strengths:
Distribution / Logistics
Area: Belle Glade
With a population of 18,061 Belle Glade is the largest of the three cities in the Lake Region. Its motto is, “Her Soil is Her Fortune,” and agriculture is the number one industry here, as it is in Pahokee and South Bay, where the soil is perfect for growing sugarcane, vegetables, ornamental landscaping, and sod. “Minutes away and a world apart,” Belle Glade is delightfully different from the Florida known to most visitors. Situated on the southern shores of Lake Okeechobee, the second largest fresh water lake within the continental United States, Belle Glade offers what its residents consider “the perfect combination of modern growth tempered with a relaxed country lifestyle.”
That’s “Grassy Waters” in Seminole. Pahokee is the only town located directly on the shores of Lake Okeechobee, known as Palm Beach County’s “Other” Coast. Seven miles of majestic towering Royal Palm trees greet visitors driving into this quaint old Florida community, population 6,029 and characterized by a tropical climate and moderating balmy breezes from the Lake.
Like the rest of the Glades, Pahokee is built upon nature’s richest organic soil, making the town a natural home for those now-rare Royal Palms. The town prides itself on preserving its a quaint “Old Florida” feeling, which has attracted residents eager to get away from the bustle of the coastal cities.
Area: South Bay
“The Crossroads of South Florida,” South Bay is nestled where East-West State Road 80 and North-South U.S. 27 intersect. As with Belle Glade and Pahokee, available labor, low taxes, willing government, and strong infrastructure make South Bay well suited for virtually any industry — from distribution to manufacturing to tourism and recreation. Its population is 5,015.
Area: Major Employers
Duda & Sons
DUDA’s diversified operations include Duda Farm Fresh Foods, a wholly-owned subsidiary of DUDA that manages the company’s fresh produce operations; Duda Ranches, a business unit within DUDA that manages the company’s four agriculture operating divisions: sod, cattle, sugarcane and citrus; and The Viera Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of DUDA that operates the company’s real estate and community development business. Founded in 1926, Duda Farm Fresh Foods is one of the world’s largest celery producers and is a full-service grower, packer, shipper, processor, marketer, importer, and exporter of fresh fruits and vegetables. Duda Farm Fresh Foods is in its fifth generation of family ownership and remains committed to its founding vision of providing fresh, flavorful, quality produce at affordable prices.
Everglades Farm Equipment
Everglades Farm Equipment is a family-owned business that started in 1963 serving the agricultural industry around Lake Okeechobee and has grown to 12 locations covering South and Central Florida. It serves a wide range of customers from some of the largest agricultural producers of sugar, citrus and vegetables to individual farmers, nurseries, and commercial landscape management companies as well as large and small property owners. It is also one of the largest John Deere dealers in the world. The family also runs a farm operation.
Employing approximately 2,000 people any given time of year, Florida Crystals is one of the largest private employers in Palm Beach County. This company offers an array of agriculture products, including organic foods. Florida Crystals operates a one-of-a-kind renewable energy facility that provides clean power for its operations along with tens of thousands of area homes.
Palm Beach County features three sugar mills and one sugar refinery that Florida Crystals utilizes to create its products that reaches tables and coffee cups around the world every day!
Hugh Branch, Inc.
Since 1957, its founding principles still drive Branch Farms: integrity, quality, service, – a commitment to its industry and the sustainability our environment. As a family owned and operated business, it is a premier grower, packer, shipper of sweet corn in the United States, also offering customers green beans, leafy greens, radishes and celery. A family of farms, its growers drive its business. Branch has a rich history of strong, vested relationship with each one.
- D&D Ag
- Grassy Waters Produce
- Growers Management, Inc.
- Integrity Farms
- JET Farms Georgia, Inc.
- King Ranch
- Long Leaf Farms
- Michael Farms
- Mouzin Brothers Farm
- My T Acres
- Pope Management
- C. Hatton, Inc.
- Riverview Plantation
- Sakata Farms, Inc.
- Strano Farms
Currently, Hundley farms approximately 16,000 acres of land that includes a majority of sweet corn and sugar cane. It continues to diversify growth by producing GAP certified annually, non-GMO field corn, radishes, celery, green beans, and cattle. Along with the diversification and growth of the farm, the Hundley family has continued to grow and evolve into a family owned, run and operated business. Hundley Farms complies with South Florida Water Management District’s best management practices and utilizes many conservation techniques to ensure that the farm will be sustainable for future generations.
Morning Star Harvesting
Established 65 years ago, Pioneer Growers is one of the largest distributors of sweet corn in the industry, growing over 13,000 acres annually, in addition to 6,000 acres of green beans, radishes, celery and cabbage. In the summer of 1950, a small group of local farmers established a marketing cooperative to handle and market their fresh vegetables. In 2012 Pioneer expanded in partnership with Hundley Farms to build a state-of-the-art corn packing line. They have the ability to pack over 25,000 crates a day to the highest standards in the industry.
Royal Family Businesses
Sugar Cane Growers Cooperative of Florida
The Sugar Cane Growers Cooperative of Florida is a cooperative that is made up of 45 farms which annually grows approximately 350,000 tons of raw sugar. This cooperative grows its sugarcane within the Everglades Agricultural Area, which is among the most fertile farmland in the USA. This cooperative alone produces enough sugar to satisfy the demand of over 9 million consumers, annually.
TKM Bengard Farms
Officially incorporating in 1996, TKM Bengard Farms, LLC has employed over 1,000 workers at its site in Belle Glade during peak seasons. This company harvests and distributes a countless amount of vegetables throughout the USA. TKM Bengard Farms, LLC has received the prestigious American Vegetable Grower’s Achievement Award, and it is proudly owned and operated by the Basore family.
U.S. Sugar Corporation
U.S. Sugar grows and processes sugarcane, citrus, and sweet corn for well-known national brands. The company farms more than 215,000 acres in Glades, Hendry, Palm Beach, and Martin counties and is a vital part of those rural communities, employing 1,700 people and donating generously to local causes. U.S. Sugar is responsible for 10% of sugar produced in the United States, up to 90 million gallons of orange juice, and half of Florida’s sweet corn crop.


PARKWAY AG HISTORY
OUR MISSION: To provide our customer with the products and services he needs in an efficient and timely manner.
Parkway Ag was formed in November of 1997. Shareholders consisted of local farmers Don Anderson, Richard Anderson, Bill Clark, Ben C. Mayo; veteran fertilizer executive Raymond Meiggs; and local fertilizer company manager Jeff Webb. In January of 2001, Parkway Ag Center purchased two fertilizer and grain locations. These new locations were formed under a new company, Parkway Ag Supply, LLC and are currently run by Shelton Harris.


We all understand that light is a very essential element that plants and animals need in order to survive and grow healthy. If you are growing your plants in an outdoor setup, they will benefit from the natural sunlight. However, in instances where there is no enough sunlight or if you are practicing indoor gardening, then you will be required to mimic the sun by purchasing the best grow lights that will serve as the source of light.
There are many types of hydroponics/aquaponics lighting systems available in the market and many individuals often get confused when it comes to selecting the right grow lights for their system. The type of grow light chosen depends on a number of underlying factors such as;
a) The type of plants that you are growing in your indoor system
If your system is growing plants that will not flower or bear fruits, the right grow lights are the ones with less intense lights. On the other hand, if your system grows plants that are going to fruit or flower, they require more intense grow lighting system.
b) The grow light spectrum
Different grow lights produce different colors of light each with specific target of plants. Therefore, understanding the idea behind the different colors of grow light is very essential. For instance a grow light spectrum contains;
White light– which mimics the sun full spectrum solar light that is about 500-600nm.
Red light- It is used specifically when plants are at fruiting stage
Blue light– this is essential to your plants when they are at green foliage stage
Visible light– This is popularly known as PAR (Photosynthetic Active Radiation) and it is very essential to different varieties of plants
c) Grow light strength and proficiency
Different light spectrum have different grow light intensity and proficiency. Grow light intensity is measured in terms of lumens. Go for grow light with PAR spectrum that has several lumens that shine throughout the system and down to your plants.
A grow light that is energy proficient utilizes energy to the fullest thus, minimizing both power loss and cost.
d) Cost of grow lights
Cost is a primary consideration when it comes to selecting the best grow lights. There are various elements of costs that come into place that you should be aware of to guide you in making the right decision. They include;
- The initial cost (market value) of the chosen grow light
- The replacement expenses
- Recurrent expenditure that you will have to cater for in order to run the lighting structure
There are hundreds of different grow lights in the market to choose from. So as to help you select the best grow lights that match your grow system requirements, this article has highlighted the most common grow lights in the market detailing their specifications.
Related; Hydroponics Vs Aquaponics
Carefully read the below analysis to discover the best grow lights for your indoor garden system.
#1. High Intensity Discharge (HID) Grow Lights
There are 3 varieties of HID grow lights in the market each with specific target plants.
a) Metal Halide (MH)
Metal halide bulbs are designed to produce blue grow light. Therefore, metal halide bulbs are suitable for systems with plants during their vegetative growth phases.
They are perfect choice to farmers who grow plants for vegetation purposes.
b) High Pressure Sodium (HPS)
HPS bulbs are very popular and their distinctive feature is high red/orange spectrum light output. The red/orange spectrum is necessary when growing plants at flowering and fruiting stages.
c) Ceramic Metal Halide (CMH)
Ceramic metal Halide bulbs are improved versions of HID grow lights which were designed and developed to offer a more improved efficiency and blended spectral output.
#2. Light Emitting Diode (LED)
LED grow light bulbs have gained a lot of popularity among many gardeners due to their high energy proficiency with less light intensity loss. The improved versions of high-quality full spectrum LED grow lights performs better compared to other types of grow lights.
However, LED grow light bulbs are quite expensive when purchasing them (but cost-effective in the long-run) and you have to review your budget before making your final decision.
Some of the proven pros of LED grow lights are;
- They use less energy
- Highly durable thus reducing the replacement costs
- They are smaller and they occupy less space
- Less light intensity loss
#3. Plasma Grow Lights
Plasma indoor grow lights are designed to last longer thus, reducing the need for regular maintenance. In addition, plasma grow light bulbs have a more balanced spectrum of light, therefore, making them a perfect choice by a gardener who grows plants both for flowering and vegetation.
READ ALSO; 8 Essential Landscaping maintenance tips
The only hallmark of plasma grow light is cost. For you to enjoy this integrated lighting functionality, you will be required to dig deep into your pocket.
#4. Fluorescent Grow Lights
Fluorescent grow bulbs are popularly used by many gardeners due to their ability of low energy output, and durability compared to other grow bulbs such as HID bulbs.
Fluorescent indoor grow lights are perfect for indoor gardening systems that require low light intensity especially for plants at vegetation stage. They are easily available in the market in different varieties at fair prices.
In conclusion, knowing your indoor garden system light requirements is the primary guide that will help you purchase the best grow lights that are efficient, reliable, and durable thus, giving you value for your money.
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Posted by: Ron
Peanuts are touted to be good for you, “supposed” to cut your risk of heart disease and are super convenient. Their dark side often goes unmentioned.
Avoid all commercial peanuts and peanut butter
In past posts, I’ve mentioned nuts and legumes in general being tough to digest without first sprouting them. I want to go a little deeper and give you more information about why peanuts are so dangerous.
First of all, despite having “nut” in their name, peanuts are legumes. They grow underground and along with beans and peas belong to the Leguminosae plant family.
Second of all, peanuts are one of the most sprayed crops out there. They’re full of pesticides in an effort to keep pests and fungi from attacking them. The pesticide content alone should be enough to deter you from consuming commercial peanuts and products made from them like peanut butter.
Thirdly, if you can find pesticide free, organic peanuts, you’re still dealing with the anti-nutrients it contains that makes them difficult to digest. Then there’s the issue of aflatoxin. Aflatoxin is a carcinogenic (cancer causing) mold produced by fungi, that’s frequently found on peanuts, both organic and commercial. They thrive in moist conditions which is where peanuts grow.
On top of all that, the fourth point is that peanuts are high in omega 6 fatty acids, which are known to be pro inflammatory. In an ideal world, your omega 3 to omega 6 intake would be relatively equal. A good goal to should be to aim for a 1:1 ratio. In modern western diets, that ratio is anywhere from 1:15 to as much as 1:50 (omega 3:omega 6). That explains quite a bit of where all these chronic inflammation conditions originate. Conditions like:
and the list keeps going on.
I suggest you definitely avoid peanuts for their fat content (bad fats) and if you’re eating them for their protein content, I suggest you look elsewhere since it is an incomplete protein, much like soy, and it has roughly the same incomplete protein content.
If you’ve already kicked your peanut butter or peanut habit, what did you replace it with?


This was the last day our field looked this way. Now it is cut and drying to get baled and put into the barn. No rain forcast in the next few days so we are happy about that.
This old farm had its day. The barn in the picture is now empty along with the house. So many stories and family times come from this farm. It is so sad to see it just sitting with no life to it. No family, no animals, no family excitment over looking after the land. Not to say the nice people that own it don't care..they do but it is not being used as an active farm supporting a famil like it was for so many years. How sad and that is the way it is all over our countries. The falling apart of the family farm is part of what has gone wrong with our countries. The owner of this farm was nice enough to let us take the hay off which was nice of him. This has nothing to do with him. A lot of it boils down to the price of the land and how much equipment costs..and just how HARD it is to work a farm. Breaks my heart to see the barn falling apart and the house in the shape it really should be taken down. Oh well I guess that is another thing we can not change..time marches on. In any case some of the story will continue int that the little yellow barn got its hay from these fields.
Have a great day everyone..don't forget the sunblock it is supposed to be a cooker..yahoo..lol. Finally we are into SUMMER!!!


Planting Seeds With Preschoolers
This post may contain affiliate links.
More notes on planting with preschoolers…
- We used a large, vinyl tablecloth underneath our planting area for easy clean-up, since it was too cold to plant outdoors.
- We read our books beforehand, then as we planted, we discussed the things we’d learned: how seeds need soil, water and time to grow.
- We placed our seeds in a bright location.
- We covered them with a clear plastic container, to make a greenhouse. Large lettuce containers and rotisserie chicken containers from the grocery store are good for this.
- I taught my 4-year-old to mist his seeds daily, including misting the inside of the plastic greenhouse container, which makes it “rain” on the seeds.
- After we finished planting the seeds, I encouraged him to play freely with the remaining dirt, containers, shovels and scoops.
For more fun with preschoolers, follow Preschool: Learning is Fun! on Pinterest.


A big shout out to Gib Earl for helping us move the shed
to be part of the garden! Mr. Pugh and Mr. Linehan, too!
You are awesome!
Thanks to Sheryl Templeton for writing the grant that created the garden
and all the volunteers that helped create it!
Thanks also to Jessica and Mary Sety, as well as Leanne Verbeck for
donating bulbs that will bloom in the spring.
Also, to Margo Sety for painting our shed sign, and Mary Kersey for the weathervane on the shed.
Thanks especially to the students who joined the garden club to weed the garden
and plant bulbs during their recesses!
If you are a gardener interested in helping out in the spring or summer,
let us know! Send an email to email@example.com or give
Jeff a call at 685-6800 ext. 4110.
Gess Elementary is a repeat
Washington State Achievement Award Winner!
For the second year in a row, Gess Elementary has been recognized as
a High Progress school with special recognition in the area of our Math growth.
This award is given to the top 10% of the Title 1 elementary schools in the state.
This is a result of staff, students, and parents working together!


A government agency in the GCC wanted to look into a solution for the ever depleting agricultural land. The mandate included an analysis of the current problems, research of potential solutions, a plan to engage local investors, developers as well as the young generation into the food production sector.
The GCC imports 50% to 80% of its food. Also, Food prices are subject to high volatility due to international economic and political factors. Therefore, long-term rates will continue to rise.
GCC population is growing at a 3.5% rate, much higher than the international standard. On the contrary, food production is growing at a negative rate. Net food imports will increase across all countries. Harsh climate, hot weather, and limited fertile land will only increase the difficulties to boost production levels.
The design uses a combination of passive control systems and revolutionary natural solutions. Also, power consumption is less than 30% of competitive solutions. The farms will offer production throughout the year.
Smaller scale field tests showed high success rates. Further analysis suggested an initial development phase at 40,000 square meters. Then, to expand it to 40,000,000 square meters. Also, investors will enjoy a plug and play farming solutions.
By the same token, the research suggested the most sought after locations. Currently, an international group of designers and agro specialists in several fields are finalizing designs for the first commercial project.
Freshwater is very scarce in the GCC. The underground water table is depleting quickly due to past domestic and farming use. Accordingly, most GCC countries will be out of freshwater by 2030, making desalination the only source of water.
The specially designed farms include a combination of vegetable, fruit, and meat production systems. The Farms will maintain a maximum air temperature of 34 degrees Celsius and a water temperature of 24 degrees Celsius extending the productive season by 45-60 days. Further, the system is 70% more efficient in water consumption in comparison to current alternatives.
In conclusion, a strategic land acquisition strategy and joint venture structure model ensured the highest possible IRR. The project generates a 37%+ IRR.


Smart Control Irrigation Rebate
The CVRD (Comox Valley Regional District) is now accepting application for the 2016 Smart Control Irrigation Rebate Program.
Be eligible for a $300 rebate by purchasing a quality smart irrigation controller.
This program will help residents in the CVRD to use water more efficiently. Commercial and residential property owners connected to the CVRD water system are eligible for a $300 rebate on the purchase of a qualifying smart irrigation controller that adjusts the watering schedule according to the weather.
For more information: CVRD Irrigation


Farming – in all its forms is traditionally labour intensive especially in areas such as fruit picking. So it’s interesting to have a look at how driverless technology, robotics and other innovations can help farmers become less dependent on seasonal labour. A resource that in many developed countries is in short supply. In an increasingly populated world, our ability to grow food more productively will be a necessity.
There are a whole host of developments that have been ‘growing’ down on the farm. There are drones capable of spraying 33 acres per hour! Driverless tractors that can do row after row – hour after hour. Seeding systems that can seed with precision and at far greater speeds than traditional methods. This ‘Gears matter blog’ from AGMA’s site takes a look at what is on the horizon.
In Australia, fruit-picking is a vital requirement in the economies of many regions and relies on transitory labour to fulfil this need. So, it is not surprising that Australia is at the forefront of finding alternatives. The University of Sydney has developed this research prototype to automate fruit picking in orchards…
Farming is destined to become increasingly high tech – it’s a really fertile area!


The owner of Laslappies started farming during 1978 after taking over his retired father’s farm of 13Ha. Today it has developed into a family business of roughly 1000Ha including citrus, game and three guest houses.
Not only have we established a citrus producing company exporting about 60% of a million cartons packed of a wide range of different varieties to more than 70 countries over the world, but were involved in two transformation projects in line with our dream to change specifically the face of the Agricultural sector in striving to a better life for our employees.
In 2003 Mr Potgieter sold a 75% share in his farm – Brandwag – now “Luthando” – meaning “to love”- to his own farm workers. With a 50% subsidy from the government and 50% bank financing we manage to establish about 70 employees (including some spouses) on the farm. The initial agreement was that Mr Potgieter would be involved in their training and education for a period of 5 years. During this time he and his management team visited several citrus producing areas in South Africa as well as fruit destinations in Europe and Finland. With the help of “Fairtrade” they also established a guest house, community hall and pre-primary school on the premises. After that period of 5 years, with the agreement of Luthando, he sold his 25% share to the Sundays River Citrus Company – a packing and marketing company which is until today actively involved in the day to day management of the farm as well as training and mentoring in order to transfer farming and business skills to its employees.
Initiated by the Sunday River Citrus Company and then joined by a couple of farmers, a major land reform project was formed during 2019. An undeveloped farm measuring 1191Ha has been purchased and registered in the name of “Ikamvu Lethu farms (Pty) Ltd” – meaning “our future”.
The full development of the farm is expected to be completed over four phases from 2019 to 2022. It is anticipated that the development will cost approximately R120 million which amount will be contributed by the 17 farmers who have agreed to participate in the project.
A trust is established with a approximately 300 of their black employees for their own benefit with at least 59% shareholding. The project is further expected to create approximately 800 jobs. On this basis Ikamvu Lethu will be one of the largest citrus growers and employers in the Sundays River Valley.


Smart Fertilizer PRO 2.1.0.rar !!BETTER!!
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How to Use Smart Fertilizer PRO 2.1.0.rar to Optimize Your Crop Production
Smart Fertilizer PRO 2.1.0.rar is a software program that helps you create customized fertilizer recipes for your crops based on soil tests, crop type, irrigation system, and climate conditions. It is a powerful tool that can help you increase your yields, reduce your costs, and protect the environment.
Smart Fertilizer PRO 2.1.0.rar is part of i-Plant Nutrition, a precision agriculture software platform that also provides sensor-less irrigation guidance, organic fertilizer recipes, and pest control management[^4^]. You can access i-Plant Nutrition on the web or on your mobile device, and integrate it with other technologies such as fertigation hardware and data collection sensors.
To use Smart Fertilizer PRO 2.1.0.rar, you need to follow these steps:
Download the software from i-Plant Nutrition website and install it on your computer.
Identify your field on a map and enter the location and weather information.
Upload soil tests from your field or use the default values provided by the software.
Choose your crop from more than 250 options available in the software database.
Select fertilizers from more than 3000 options available in the software database, or enter your own custom fertilizers.
Download a detailed report in PDF format that contains your personalized fertilization plan, including the amount, timing, and method of fertilizer application.
Smart Fertilizer PRO 2.1.0.rar has been used by thousands of users worldwide, who have reported significant benefits such as reduced risk, increased yields, lower fertilizer use, and sustainable farming practices[^4^]. For example, Exeter Produce Ltd, based in Ontario Canada, reveal that by using the software system, they have been able to reduce pesticides by 25% whilst increasing yields of their crops (rutabagas and bell peppers) by 144% and 68% respectively[^4^].
If you want to optimize your crop production with Smart Fertilizer PRO 2.1.0.rar, you can book a demo or contact i-Plant Nutrition for more information.
Smart fertilizers are fertilizers that can adjust their nutrient release according to the soil and plant needs. They can be classified into two types: controlled-release fertilizers (CRF) and stabilized fertilizers (SF). CRF are coated or encapsulated fertilizers that release nutrients gradually over time, while SF are fertilizers that contain inhibitors or stabilizers that prevent nutrient losses due to leaching, volatilization, or denitrification[^1^].
Smart fertilizers have several benefits for both farmers and the environment. They can improve nutrient use efficiency, which means that more nutrients are taken up by the plants and less are wasted or lost to the environment. This can result in higher crop yields and quality, lower fertilizer costs, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions and water pollution[^1^]. Smart fertilizers can also help adapt to climate change by enhancing crop resilience to drought, heat, and salinity stress.
However, smart fertilizers also have some challenges and limitations. They require more knowledge and skills to use them properly, such as selecting the right type, rate, and timing of application. They may also have higher initial costs than conventional fertilizers, which can discourage some farmers from adopting them. Moreover, they may not be suitable for all crops and soils, and their performance may vary depending on the environmental conditions[^1^]. Therefore, more research and development are needed to optimize smart fertilizers for different scenarios and to increase their availability and affordability. 061ffe29dd


When Pam and I married, my Father bought Feniton Mill and gave it to us. There was a chapel on the land too.
The chapel was quite high so I put another floor in, so I could keep pigs in the bottom and chickens up the top. There was a door on the side so the pigs could run out. I put a lean-to on so that I could milk the cow. I kept one cow, a Jersey.
There was another chapel in our garden, that was washed away years ago. We got flooded twice whilst we lived there. The turbine was put in 1935, by the Ackland family (nothing to do with the Colonel but it’s spelt exactly the same) who lived at Feniton. They had the big house, Hatton Court, and they had a farm there, Home farm. They ran a cable from the mill – underground to Feniton (a mile) and charged all their accumulaters in the big house and the farm and ran all their electric. The accumulters where running over night; they were always charging. Feniton went on the main electric in 1952, so they took the cable up. That was when they sold the mill because that was when they had the mains electric. That was when my Father bought the Mill.
We sold the Mill and the field and the chapel for £6000. When the next owner died, it was sold for about £450000. It shows how times change you see.
I worked ever so hard in those days, bringing down the corn and grinding it and mixing it. I sold it to Spillers and RW Paul, who manufactured feeding stuffs. Lockyers of Sidbury had a yard where Cotford garage was. Every day, he went to Bristol for me and brought back feeding stuff. I had a small lorry and I would collect. I worked about 12 hours a day, about 80 hours a week, but I was busy you see. It used to be 10 o’clock at night when I finished my book-keeping after I had done my manual work.


Mulching with grass clippings is a great way to protect your plants and enrich the soil with nutrients. It’s also easy to do and completely free (as long as you have some grass)! This article will walk you through why you should be mulching with grass clippings!
If you’ve been throwing away your grass clippings, you’re missing out! Seriously, you have a great opportunity to use these for your garden. Grass clippings will add essential nutrients to the topsoil! You will simply replenish the soil’s lifecycle, and your plants will be grateful.
Grass clippings are easy to use for mulch! You just place them around the plant, ensuring they don’t touch the stems. Both fresh and dried grass clippings can be used as mulch. I recommend using ones that don’t have pesticides on them!
Want to read more about mulching? We have complete guides on just about every mulch you can think of!
Why Use Grass Clippings As Mulch?
Fresh grass clippings serve as a great mulch because they chill the root zone, retain moisture, and replenish up to 25% of the nutrients that plant development takes from the soil. The additional benefit of using grass clippings as mulch is that it eliminates one more tedious horticultural task.
Although other mulches do these same things, most people have grass clippings in their yard. I think most people agree that a free solution is always best—even if it takes a bit more work. It’ll probably be more rewarding as well!
Step-by-Step on Mulching With Grass Clippings
Put Grass Clippings Around Plants
Whether growing flowers, bushes, fruit trees, or vegetables, it is crucial to not let the grass clippings tough the plant stems. The high nitrogen content of grass clippings is good for the plants, but direct contact could harm them as the nitrogen decomposes.
To prevent the grass mulch from coming into direct touch with the plant stem, you will need to create a gap between the stem of the plants and the mulch.
Add A Few Layers
The amount of mulch that should be applied varies depending on the temperature and whether you are using fresh or dried grass clippings. Use a thick layer of mulch—roughly 6 to 8 inches thick—if your home is in a hot climate. You can get away with a layer 2-4 inches thick if your region is moderate temperature and receives a lot of water.
If you layer the clippings too thinly, they will not be able to retain cool temperatures and water. However, if you lay the clippings too thickly, the bottom layer will compact, and anaerobic bacteria will start to take control. This is the last thing you want! If you begin to smell rot and the layer of grass clippings begins to resemble carpet and become black, you have probably laid the mulch far too thickly.
Dried Clippings or Fresh?
Most people will advise drying the grass clippings before using them as mulch. This couldn’t be further from the truth though. In my experience, green grass clippings are superior to dried-out grass clippings. Green grass clippings are far richer in nutrients and water retention. Still, if you spread them too thickly, the added wetness may pose a problem for some plants, particularly blueberries, which like soil, drains well.
Green grass clippings will turn yellow within a few days. Within a few weeks, they will completely decompose. How quickly they break down and replenish the essential nutrients in your plants relies largely on the local climate, how frequently you water them, and how frequently it rains where you live.
Grass cuttings that have been sprayed with pesticides or herbicides should not be used. These contain dangerous chemicals, and if they get into the ground, they’ll either prevent your plants from growing normally or kill them completely. Most of the time, you should use your own grass clippings as mulch because other people’s grass clippings can include pesticides or herbicides.
You can use natural pesticides on your grass, however. These should not impact your soil or plants. I recommend using the Trifecta Crop Control, a completely natural pesticide that is vegetable and fruit friendly!
Water Your Grass Clipping Mulch
Many people tend to scatter the grass clippings around their plants and completely disregard them. However, you’ll need to water the clippings directly after you place them. This is crucial if you utilize dried-out grass clippings and there isn’t much moisture where you live. Watering the clippings will speed up the decomposition process and allow the clippings to release nutrients.
This step can be skipped if you use green grass clippings because they already have adequate moisture. However, dried-out grass clippings will have little to no water, so you should water them. You should also do this if you live in a region with frequent winds.
Grow Seeds in Grass Clippings
Mulching with grass clippings is also very helpful when starting plants from seeds. Simply, make space around your seeds without any mulch on top. Make sure they are not covered by grass mulch because some seedlings struggle greatly to break through it. It is crucial to avoid incorporating the grass mulch into the soil since the extra nitrogen in the mulch may stop the growth of the seeds.
I recommend growing blueberries in grass clippings. It is a great choice for beginner gardeners to grow!
Add Soil to The Grass
Although it may take some time before you can create soil with grass clippings, it can be done! In general, it takes about a few years. However, this does not mean that your plants will not benefit from the mulch of grass clippings; on the contrary. It will just take some time to improve the soil with only grass clippings if you have a sizable area where little is growing because of bad soil.
As you can see, mulching using grass clippings is simple; just remember to moisten the mulch before using it. In this method, the mulch won’t be blown away by the wind, and the water will hasten the rotting process.


Courtesy Of Lorraine Moore Of Moore's Agri-Trade Ltd.
HUGE LAKESIDE LOT - Camp here and build later. This 1.6 acre lot at the end of the road in the quiet community of Willowhaven Estates is already in spacious lawn with some rail fencing and it backs onto green space. It has a few trees and it will please the avid gardener. There is a 12x20 tarp greenhouse, half barrel planters, a fenced garden and cistern, plus a small orchard with apple trees, saskatoons, and grape vines. All lot owners have access to the community boat launch for only $60 per year. Bring your RV, boat, fishing gear and water toys for a fun summer at the lake. There are no building restrictions and no time commitment to build. Adjoining lot with cabin, shop, and guest house (E4237149) is also available.
Listing information last updated on April 20th, 2021 at 11:31pm MDT.


2021 Garden Plots will be available for rental in May.
Located next to the West Carrollton Senior Center, 10 E. Central Ave.
Rental fee for the season is $10 per plot and includes access to water for irrigation.
Plots are approximately 4x12 feet. Plots will be available on a first come, first serve basis.
As plots are adjacent to each other we do require that you maintain physical distancing practices while working on your plots when others are present.


He has defied all odds
By Samson Tarusenga
NGONI Bande, a former general farm worker from Chivhunze area in Chipinge district of Zimbabwe, is writing his success story through growing coffee.
His narrative has its beginnings in 2010 when he saw huge potential in the land that was being rejected by many for its hilly and sloppy nature.
He accepted the offer when the opportunity came his way and was allocated the rejected portion of land. He has since defied all the odds and cleared the land before working on properly thought out soil and water conservation infrastructure that includes terraces and grassed contours (Vetiver).
The farm now features a nice-looking coffee plantation.
What makes the farmers’ story more thrilling is that he collected the first planting materials (coffee seedlings) from a nearby jungle to plant over 500 bushes. He had no money to start with as he was previously a poor farm worker.
Through support from friends he later managed to get better coffee seed to plant from 2013. From 2015 to this day, the farmer is realising good earnings from coffee sales which have enabled him to upgrade his life.
The sales has managed to cater for daily family needs, an irrigation pipeline for his coffee field which stretches for about 2.2km, construction of toilets and a brick-walled iron-sheets-roofed kitchen.
Although he is still confronted by some challenges in the form of exorbitant input costs, vandalism of irrigation pipes and lower than wished foreign currency retention component from export coffee sales, Mr Bande is not deterred.
He has managed to produce Class 2 coffee due to good management of the good quality variety (SL28), that he grows.
Another exciting development in the story of Mr Bande is that he has empowered his wife and eldest son by allocating them each a piece of land to plant their own coffee to cater for personal needs.
Through experience he has learnt that for the sustainability of his farming business every family member working on the farm should enjoy the benefits from farming including women and children. This is not common in a patriarchal society such as Chipinge.
Zimbabwe has a milling capacity of over 50 000 metric tonnes of coffee, but supply is still way below the demand. This gives many other farmers the opportunity to grow coffee and improve their livelihoods like Mr Bande.
The country boasts of a suitable climate, skilled labour, organised coffee farmers, idle coffee production and processing infrastructure and a well-developed value chain linked to numerous local and international markets.


Our top soil is known for its effective compatibility with sod. When someone is installing sod, they know they can count on our top soil for a successful growth and establishment of their new grass. Mixed with organic compost and dirt, the top soil feeds many nutrients and minerals to new plants.
Fill sand is used for the installation of pavers, mortar, stucco, and much more.
Plaster sand is used for stucco, filling gaps, outdoor pool base, play bins, and much more.
Sandy loam is used to fill up holes, outdoor pool base, and it mixes well with already established dirt in the property.


"Reusing wastewater resources contributes to food security and improves livelihood" (UN, 2017)
Intensive aquaculture and farming activities generate large quantities of water heavily loaded with organic matter. The challenge for this sector is to reduce the quantities of water withdrawn from nature reserves and the discharge of polluted water into aquatic ecosystems.
On this sector, we propose to reduce water consumption and discharge by reusing or complete recycling wastewater livestock with nutrients recovery. BSP process can be integrated in all the solutions we propose for the agricultural sector.
OUR HelioPure® SOLUTIONS FOR AGRICULTURE
Our solutions for agriculture offer you the possibility to:
❏ Treat wastewater from industrial or domestic activities to reuse it in agriculture
❏ Reduce water consumption with recycling and lower pressure on scarce and expensive water resources
❏ Preserve water and nutrients resources by reducing discharge in the environment
❏ Recover and reuse water, carbon, nitrogen and phosphorous in the form of biomass that can be used in animal feed or organic fertilizers.


|Main Scientific and Technological Achievements|
During the past 40 years, China has made remarkable progress in important scientific and technological fields, including the successful experiment on the atomic bomb, the hydrogen bomb and the guided missile launching and retrieval of man-made satellites, the launching of carrier rockets, the synthesis of bovine insulin and the ribonucleic acid transferred from fermented alanine, and the successful cultivation of hybrid rice. In recent years, research on superconduction, the positron and negatron electronic collider, new technology of petroleum water injection, the KM-4 sun imitator, emulative technologies and the research on aerodynamics have reached the world's advanced level. In 1994, China recognized 26,000 important scientific and technological achievements at or above the provincial or ministerial level. The most important included internationally advanced atomic grade control and processing, linking the national computer with the international network, cultivating 270 new crop varieties, and the development of high-speed locomotives capable of reaching 160 km per hour and the 4E-type Dongfeng heavy internal-combustion engine.


Students interested in agriculture and natural resources from high schools, chapters and clubs across the region and state were on the University of Minnesota Crookston campus on Friday, December 7 to compete in agriculture and natural resources related contests. The annual Agriculture and Natural Resources Day competition has been held for more than 30 years on the Crookston campus.
With contests ranging from horticulture and forestry to ag mechanics, livestock and sales, the day brings out the competitive spirit of students culminating in an awards ceremony. The contests are overseen by UMN Crookston Agriculture and Natural Resources Department faculty. The awards ceremony recognizes the top individuals and teams.
Results of the day’s competition are posted at www.umcrookston.edu/agnatrday and all photographs of individuals and teams are available at https://z.umn.edu/anradphotogallery2018. To download a photo, select the photo and right click to save.
An awards ceremony culminates the exciting day. Scholarships, plaques and certificates are awarded to school teams and individuals for each contest. Over $32,000 in scholarships are available to award-winning students. Last year, $750 UMN Crookston scholarships were awarded for the high individual in each contest, $600 UMN Crookston scholarships were awarded for the second place individual, and $450 UMN Crookston scholarships were awarded for the third place individual.
More information regarding Agriculture and Natural Resources Activities Day is available by contacting Leah Stroot at 281-8101 or visit www.umcrookston.edu/agnatrday.


Custom Garden Solutions 100% Organic Compost vs. Mushroom Compost
Custom Garden Solutions (CGS) does not provide Mushroom Compost. CGS provides 100 percent Organic, Nutrient Rich and Contaminant-Free Compost.
What is Mushroom Compost?
Mushroom compost is a byproduct provided by some companies (not CGS) that is the composted material remaining after a crop of mushrooms is harvested. Mushrooms are grown in a mixture of products, including horse-bedded straw (straw from horse stables used to collect manure and urine), hay, chicken manure, ground corn cobs, cottonseed hulls, gypsum, and other substances.
The main question to ask about mushroom compost is what is in it?
- Does the horse-bedded straw come from horses who have been fed antibiotics or other chemicals?
- Were the horses fed GMO (Genetically Modified Organism) corn or corn sprayed with harmful herbicides such as Glyphosate also referred to as Roundup Ready? (Glyphosate made by companies like Monsanto which is a broad-spectrum systemic herbicide and crop desiccant. It is used to kill weeds, especially annual broadleaf weeds and grasses that compete with crops). Think of Roundup Ready as a farming method where the herbicide kills everything but the genetically modified seed which creates plants that are tolerant to the herbicides sprayed on it. Many believe this method is dangerous.
- Was the poultry manure fed GMO grain, injected with antibiotics?
- Are the ground corn cobs grown sprayed with harmful herbicides such as Glyphosate used in "Roundup Ready" GMO farming?
What is Custom Garden Solutions 100% Organic Compost?
These are some of the reasons why Custom Garden Solutions does NOT provide Mushroom Compost. Custom Garden Solution provides 100 percent Organic and Contaminant-Free Nutrient Rich Compost. Not all compost is created equal. Unlike many of the other compost providers 100% of what we do is related to growing herbs and vegetables. We provide organic compost specially designed growing healthy, nutrient rich herbs and vegetables. You can also use our compost on your flowers, trees and lawns.
CGS’s compost is made from:
- Green sources (leaves, grass, tree branches).
- Vegetable scraps (about 15-20% ).
- Horse manure from a local stable that is monitored and works to minimize any GMO’s or medications/antibiotics. The manure is aged and then hot composted to at least 140 degrees until it cools (sometimes a long as four months) and turned regularly to complete the composting process. This process means dramatically exceeds the FDA standard for this process (for food safety).
- Rock Dust- Mineralization of the compost is provided from a mining company near Flagstaff.
Unlike many companies we do NOT provide Mushroom Compost. Click Here for What is Mushroom Compost
All pre-compost materials are inspected as required by the State to ensure it is 100% organic and free of contaminating substances. They are then combined in ratios best suited for creating nutrient rich organic compost and then shredded, spread out, watered, and stacked into windrows (rows of composting materials hundreds of feet long). The temperatures within the windrows can reach in excess of 140 degrees Fahrenheit; ensuring that pathogens and weed seeds are destroyed. The windrows are mixed, watered, aerated and turned regularly.
The compost is then screened and loaded in CGS's trucks for delivery straight to you and your plants. Unlike many suppliers, CGS's compost is not "Hot" and is fully composted so that you can place in your garden and begin planting immediately.