The Benefits And Significance Of Gardening With Your Liked Ones
If you learn to protect your harvest, you might be able to inventory your Pantry and feed your loved ones even when the growing season is over. Tending to your garden and rising your own meals will educate you to eat in season when flavors and nutrients are at peak. When you may have lots of harvests to make use of up, you are most likely to eat extra vegetables and consider creative methods to arrange them so nothing goes to waste. Since they are harvested recent, the natural flavors of the vegetables shine and don't want additional oils, salt, or different components to make them style good. Each yr, The Environmental Working Group releases its Dirty Dozen™ list. This list includes the highest twelve USDA tested produce with the very best pesticide loads.
Osteoporosis is a disease that may weaken bones and due to this fact will increase the chance of a broken bone. Therefore, by frequently gardening you will take part in repetitive tasks that can guarantee all the major muscle groups are getting an excellent workout. Spending more time outside and under the solar helps increase the degrees of Vitamin D in your body. In return, it enables you to absorb extra calcium, which makes the bones stronger and the immune system healthier. Gardening as a type of exercise could be good for you because it helps to release endorphins, the hormone that helps to make folks feel happy and relaxed.
What are the primary challenges or disadvantages of rising personal garden?
- Tick bites, Which Can Lead To Lyme illness.
- Initial Expenses Are High.
- Soil Amendments Are Made Frequently.
- It's Not Always Easy To Find Suitable Plants.
- You Can Be Exposed To Chemicals When Gardening.
- Gardening may cause Injury.
- Requires More Time.
The strategy of gardening requires a lot of work and preparation. When you start this process as a household, you'll get to spend authentic, quality time with each other. Growing your personal garden can reap fairly a formidable number of advantages, including spending quality time with your family.
All the whereas, the nutrient content is waning in that meals. In contrast to store-bought meals, which is frequently plucked earlier than it is absolutely mature, a garden in your architectural home design lets you select the product when it is ready. Freshly chosen meals from a house backyard has greater flavour and quality than store-bought produce with unknown pesticides that was doubtless gathered days or even weeks before being bought. When consumed quickly after harvesting, the meals retains more nutrients, making produced veggies a greater different. You have whole management over the chemical compounds and products used all through the rising process whenever you cultivate your individual meals. Organic produce is often more expensive on the grocery store, however you possibly can grow your personal organic fruits and veggies at home with out utilizing chemical fertilisers or pesticides. It's extraordinarily possible to squeeze another crop out of the same season if you're utilising raised beds, depending on your growing zone.
Adults Are Instructing Youngsters Attention
Cole described the Mediterranean forerunners of our trendy cabbages, broccolis, cauliflowers, brussels sprouts and kohlrabi. A cole crop now means any crop from the Brassica genus, which includes all the vegetable crops talked about, as nicely as several oilseeds, together with canola. A system of beds allows the gardener to pay attention soil preparation on small areas, which finally ends up in efficient use of soil amendments and creates a perfect rising environment. Trickle or drip irrigation, together with the usage of soaker hoses, is probably the most water-efficient of commonly used techniques.
A couple of minutes of day by day weeding might even assist offset some of the pressure caused by repetitive use like typing or cellphone swiping. Here are11 well being secrets your hands are attempting to let you know. If you don’t have kids of your personal, you'll be able to work with an area college or library to assist introduce this incredibly beneficial hobby to children in your space. There are most likely kids on the market right now that are not receiving optimistic influences from their elders, and sharing your love of gardening could help them in so some ways. It doesn’t matter whether a baby is 2, 6 or 12 years old, the human progress process is consistently working. Positively impacting several varieties of growth is possible by introducing gardening to children of all ages. Nearly 3,000 folks over the age of 60 had their well being and hobbies tracked for 16 years.
Costs And Benefits Of Vegetable Gardening1
Urban gardening may help convey males, ladies, youngsters, associates, households, and neighbors together for a typical objective. This additionally helps to scale back the disconnect we expertise to where our food comes from. It also helps train our children valuable classes about nature, our food system, and sustainability. Urban gardening teaches you that you simply don’t want plenty of house to develop your personal meals.
Data had been collated on elements together with garden typology, frequency of gardening and individual perceptions of health and well-being. Significant associations had been found between improvements in well-being, perceived stress and Physical activity and more frequent gardening. Gardening on a frequent basis i.e. at least 2–3 times per week, corresponded with greatest perceived health advantages. Improving well being, nevertheless, was not the prime motivator to garden, but quite the direct pleasure gardening brought to the members. There was proof that satisfaction with one's entrance backyard and the time spent in it increased as the proportion of vegetation was enhanced. The information helps the notion that home gardens ought to be given higher prominence in city planning debates, due to the role they play in providing well being benefits. Home-grown greens require much less vitality to produce, package deal and transport than greens grown in other locales.
There are so many amazing advantages of gardening for teenagers. Any time you develop a backyard which produces food, you scale back the general stage of pollution on the earth. Instead of driving your pollution-producing vehicle to the store to purchase groceries, you simply walk into your backyard. This limits the quantity of food you have to get from world food producers that might care much less about adopting sustainable, clean gardening and farming practices. If you can’t discover a community backyard in your space, then it could be time to use some of LACGC’s assets to assist you begin to experience the advantages of neighborhood gardening. Whether you would possibly be living in an urban panorama or elsewhere, group gardening is an excellent opportunity to attach with nature and your neighbors.
Greenhouse gardening also permits so that you can successfully sprout your seasonal favorites earlier than transplanting them outside for their optimal seasons. An unlucky, but widespread prevalence that arises when gardening is inclement weather. Whether within the type of hail or flooding, one unexpected day in your forecast could cause you to reconstruct your garden completely. In today’s supermarket, it’s very troublesome to avoid pesticides and other biocides that are used to grow our meals. Additionally, meals preservatives, even on contemporary produce, can be problematic to our health. Grown in a garden at residence, we can management the chemical substances used and, hopefully, that means none.
By investing a while and vitality, they actually grew something to eat. I invested a small amount of money in some seeds, soil and a few containers. And now I can have a whole season’s worth of vegetables out on my patio. All for pennies compared to what it costs to purchase this a lot fruit and veggies in retailer. Put down the distant and choose up the trowel, as a result of the actual deal is means better for you than watching other people’s yard makeovers on TV.
Often retired individuals complain that they really feel ineffective, and an everyday gardening practice gives these people a sense of objective and responsibility. While the vegetation in your backyard are sucking in as much carbon dioxide as they will, they're concurrently respiration out oxygen! This means your backyard garden is making you more healthy by providing more of the life-giving oxygen required by every cell in your physique. To help you get probably the most out of your garden I truly have put together this report on gardening benefits for seniors and toddlers, middle-agers and 30-somethings, and everybody that loves nature . You will uncover that you help the setting if you backyard often, and that there are social, mental, Physical and even financial rewards. As a matter of fact, the earliest humans engaged in gardening activities. They didn’t construct gardens for pleasure, however rather for food.
Advantages of Backyard Vegetable Gardening http://tinyurl.com/3g4dubx— directory Hydro2Grow (@Hydro2Grow) August 11, 2011
We used a gardening intervention to enhance native access to and consumption of fruit and veggies and as an integral a part of total efforts of local wellness coalitions. Seasonal garden coordinators have been hired, and action plans included targets for diet and Physical activity education schemes and youth and adult engagement. The characteristics of each garden and pre- and post-intervention surveys had been used to understand how the gardens affected communities. Thirteen gardens had been planted, and volunteers provided 18,136 hours; adults from the community reported an elevated consciousness of garden advantages. Some gardeners could favor to use organic strategies, that are covered in additional detail in MU Extension publication G6220, Organic Vegetable Gardening Techniques.
If your backyard is giant enough, you may be able to grow sufficient meals to offset the expenses of purchasing for groceries, making gardening a superb means to economize. A group garden is a shared area the place folks grow crops in a single massive area or in smaller particular person plots. This is also an excellent place to ask questions and study from skilled gardeners. Growing your own fruits and vegetables can take nutrition to new ranges and improve garden enjoyable. GardenTech and the GardenTech® household of products are dedicated to serving to individuals of all ages enjoy all the benefits of house gardening, including lovely, tasty and healthful crops. There is growing proof that publicity to plants and inexperienced area, and particularly to gardening, is beneficial to psychological and Physical well being, and so might cut back the pressure on NHS providers. You know crops need sunlight, however did you know your physique does, too?
Growing yard produce has its benefits over industrial growers. Photo by woodleywonderworks underneath the Creative Commons Attribution License 2.zero. Economic worth of greens grown in North Florida Gardens. Proceedings of the Florida State Horticultural Society, ninety three, 70-72. I then calculated the distinction between yield and price to estimate the net value of every backyard. The net worth of every garden was calculated with and with out labor prices. A internet value per square foot of garden was also calculated with and with out labor prices.
One Of The Only Ways To Organize Land For Higher
Vertical garden plantings can defend ugly views, corresponding to garbage cans or a busy roadway. Planting edible landscape plants as a protective green wall around your backyard may help shelter tender seedlings and average extremes of both hot and cold temperature. When vegetation are trained up, it's easier to mulch around them. Reducing pest injury is one other vertical gardening benefit. My mom hardly ever took time to trellis her tomatoes, and we always discovered tomatoes with injury from mice and slugs at harvest time. A community has a purpose to come back collectively after they know they've one thing in common.
The results of this unsustainable closed loop of consumption is harm to our surroundings and our own health. Food produced on such an enormous scale requires artificial components and preservatives to stabilize it for the lengthy periods of time between manufacturing, distribution, and consumption. This kind of manufactured “nutrition” is not good for anybody. Being out in your garden will assist you to concentrate on one task at a time and follow mindfulness.
Advantages of Backyard Vegetable Gardening: Wouldn't it be wonderful to have freshly picked vegetables everyday ... http://bit.ly/qXGqTI— Sally Ashton (@muddyfingernail) August 9, 2011
The monetary impacts of your garden will probably range from year to year. You could possibly offset a big portion of your grocery bill with meals you grow in your yard backyard or on your homestead. A gardening interest can price as little or as much as you can afford.
The yard-long, or asparagus bean, is related to black-eyed peas and has similar taste, but the entire pod is usually eaten . Asparagus beans need heat temperatures and a protracted rising season to do well. Studies have investigated which crops deliver essentially the most worth per sq. foot of backyard house, partly to help small-space gardeners in making planting decisions. Values have been primarily based on pounds produced per sq. foot, retail value per pound at harvest and size of time in the garden. Table three shows the general conclusions of this sort of analysis, with the highest- and lowest-value crops indicated. The proper time for sowing seeds depends primarily on when plants might normally be moved outdoors.
- Urban gardening makes fresh meals and fruits out there to everyone at an reasonably priced value.
- You could possibly offset a large portion of your grocery invoice with foods you grow in your yard backyard or on your homestead.
- With some planning and thought, you presumably can create an interesting, productive and nice space that can be used as an edible backyard.
- Effective, correct use of chemical controls can save the gardener cash and stop harm to the surroundings.
- It's been a joy to assist more than 1,000 group gardens through the years.
Whatever your purpose, it’s essential to note that you’re additionally benefiting the environment by way of starting a backyard. For those that plant fruit and greens, their every day allowance of wholesome fare is actually at their fingertips. From salad greens to peppers, squash, cucumbers, tomatoes, strawberries, apples, peaches, herbs and past, a garden is a veritable cornucopia of healthful eating.
All my trellises are securely anchored, and any planter that can't be anchored comes inside throughout rough climate. Greenstalk tower planters have a central watering conduit that waters evenly throughout the planter. They could also be a great fit for a deck or patio with a flat, degree surface. This is rearing animals in city settings for consumption. You can focus on various varieties of animals ie poultry, rabbits, goats, or rabbits. However, for some cities, there's a restrict to the variety of animals you possibly can rear.
Gardening or caring for vegetation supplies them with a better understanding of the place their meals comes from, which might guide them toward a life-long follow of eating more vegetables and fruits. Community gardens are places where people come collectively to grow a variety of vegetables, herbs, fruits, and flowers. They do that by renting individual or shared plots of land throughout the group garden. The introduction of neighborhood gardens might find a way to cut back the impression of meals deserts in low-income areas and allow residents greater entry to nutritious food that's necessary to reside a wholesome life. This is regardless of their ubiquity and the recognition of gardening as a pastime. This analysis explored why residents engaged with gardening and the extent to which they recognised any health advantages from the activity. A questionnaire was distributed electronically within the UK, with 5766 gardeners and 249 non-gardeners responding.
Why is sustainable gardening important?
Opting to garden sustainably also has a selection of benefits in your garden and backyard: Planting native vegetation means fewer invasive species and weeds can thrive. Climate-appropriate vegetation grow greater and stronger with less maintenance.
Gardening can be a solo activity or an opportunity for bonding with your family and pals. The happiness and stress aid that gardening supplies is a superb factor to share with loved ones. Early publicity to filth has been linked to quite a few well being advantages, from lowering allergy symptoms to autoimmune illnesses. Gardening as a household provides a bunch of advantages, including promoting wholesome eating and train habits in addition to family bonding and stress reduction. If you reside in an city area and/or don't have a yard, consider an indoor garden or working in a group garden. And if you face Physical challenges or constraints, don’t let the recognized exercise advantages of gardening put you off planting! There are many fantastic instruments and methods that can make gardening secure and fun for all fitness and mobility ranges.
Sleeping higher at night time also promotes weight reduction and regulates consuming patterns. Gardening helps you keep away from pesticides, artificial fertilizers, and other chemical compounds typically utilized to business produce. Maintaining your individual backyard allows you to grow produce organically with out the usage of dangerous chemicals that can interfere together with your general well being and wellness.


The Life Desirows project continues to move forward. On February 20, a follow-up technical meeting was held in which the development status of the demonstration plant was verified.
LIFE DESIROWS (LIFE19 ENV/ES/00447) is a demonstration project to reduce first osmosis brine, crystallize salts, remove nitrates and recover water resources. All this using renewable energy.
The project, financed by the Life Program of the European Union, combines various technologies from an industrial perspective in order to minimize energy consumption.
The consortium is led by the company Regenera Levante and the Polytechnic University of Cartagena, the Arco Sur Irrigation Community, Hidrogea and Hidrotec also participate in it. Liquid Zero, for its acronym in English). Therefore, all the brine is recycled.
In addition, the project complies with the circular economy strategy as long as no waste is generated since it is proposed to reuse all the salts, the researchers point out.
The brine from the desalination of groundwater has a multitude of dissolved salts that, when properly separated, can be used, also allowing the generation of additional water resources.
The LIFE-DESIROWS project aims to recycle the brine by first eliminating the nitrates, recovering part of the less soluble salts for later use as fertilizers and allowing the rest of the salts to be used industrially.


Monday, April 12, 2010
What do sunflowers, polebeans, and cukes have in common?
Somewhat of a trick question really. I purchased Jack and the Beanstalk sunflowers from Pinetree Seeds this spring and plan to use these 9foot towers as the base for the pole beans and cukes. I've long believed plants fare better when they are matched to companions. I might have a challenge keeping all these plants happy with plenty of water and fertilizer because these are heavy feeders. Maybe a soaker hose will do the trick.
Another great sunflower is the Teddy Bear which I grew for the first time last year. My sister turned me on to this variety a few summers ago. They grow to about 5 feet in my gardens but hers grew much taller in the desert sun of eastern Washington. I loved them and the bees were in heaven. The neat feature is the side shoots that are all over these stalks and each produces 3 more flowers. Teddy Bear sunflowers are aptly named as they have a thick dense texture which is produced with a seemingly infinite number of petals. The traditional center clusters of flowers are not visible on the Teddy Bear...just a endless array of yellow petals. You really have to see these to understand their unique appearance.
So the cukes, beans and sunflowers will grow together this summer. A shot of my brother's compost will surely be appreciated! Plant a row for the hungry.


Harvey Heals are proud to support Tree Aid - a fantastic UK charity working with communities in the drylands of Africa where trees are often scarce. Tree Aid works hard to tackle poverty and the effects of the climate crisis. The charity plants trees, helps local communities create sustainable change, and make an income.
More specifically, we are supporting Tree Aid's 'She Grows' project, which aims to empower 1,000 women in Mali, to grow trees and food, send their children to school and enables them to create their own sustainable businesses. Giving back to Gaia through Tree Aid, improves the environment (and much more!) for generations to come with increased oxygen in the air and better soil fertility; whilst promoting emotional health and wellbeing.
Every time you participate in an activity with Harvey Heals, we donate funds for trees to be planted in drylands Africa, to help empower as many women and children as possible. We want to make a social impact and help communities in Africa experience the benefits of trees and develop life changing skills.


February 2nd, 2011
We recently talked about the push for desert agriculture and how it is ruining the Aral sea. The simplest solution would of course be to stop farming in the desert, stop diverting the rivers. But the area had quickly become dependent on the influx of food and profits. It seems that once an area starts producing more than average, it would be problematic if it ever produced less. The same story goes for our own country.
The other day I was watching TV and saw a commercial praising the American farmer. Wholesome shots of men in plaid shirts standing in fields of wheat seemed nice enough. But at the end I saw the sponsor: Monstano. I was familiar with this name and it immediately put a bad taste in my mouth. Monsanto is the mastermind behind the infamous pesticide RoundUp, and also behind genetically engineered seedlings that can withstand this particular poison. RoundUp is probably one of the worst things one can spray, as it kills anything green, unless the plant is specially modified. Monsanto has used genetic engineering in many different ways, including using antibiotic markers on DNA sequences. This type of genetic modification has unknown health effects, but there have been some troubling cases and effects reported. The only successful way of really monitoring the effects of modified foods is for them all to be labeled.
It seems to me that a company like Monsanto would be entirely focused on production and profit, while ignoring environmental and health problems that arise from their work. This sounds like the same mindset of the farming around the Aral sea. We have become reliant on unnaturally large yields due to genetic engineering and pesticide use in this country. It would be interesting to see if we could grow enough food to feed our nation if everything was grown organically, free of GMs. Our bioengineering is similar to the rerouting of rivers. It opens exciting new doors, but it is easy to lose sight of consequences, especially when it becomes too late to fix.
How do you feel about Genetic Modification of your food? Would you be less inclined to buy something that you knew what genetically modified?
The The Future Of Food is a very informative documentary that goes quite in-depth on genetic modification, just some food for thought.


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To: Honorable Minister, Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, Nigeria
Engr. Prof Joseph Terlumun Utsev, FNSE
From: Mr. Okelenyi Bameyi Ugwu
Date: 29th August, 2023
Subject: Tackling the Cameroon Dam and its Potential Benefits for Nigeria
Dear Honorable Minister,
I am writing to bring to your attention the potential opportunities and benefits that can be derived from effectively addressing the issues related to the Cameroon Dam. By strategically managing the water resources and exploring various solutions, we can optimize its utilization and contribute to the development and prosperity of our nation.
1. Channeling Water to Desert Areas:
One significant step we can take is to channel a portion of the water from the Cameroon Dam to the desert areas in Nigeria. This could involve the construction of canals and pipelines to redirect water, allowing for the revitalization of arid regions. By implementing such measures, government can support the growth of vegetation, create sustainable agricultural systems, and mitigate the effects of desertification.
2. Increasing and Enhancing our Own Dams:
To further capitalize on our water resources, it is crucial to invest in the increase and enhancement of our existing dams across the country. This will enable us to store larger quantities of water and ensure a consistent supply for various purposes such as agriculture, industrial activities, and households. Upgrading our dams will also contribute to flood control and mitigate the effects of water scarcity during dry seasons.
3. Employment Opportunities:
The development and maintenance of water infrastructure present significant employment opportunities. Undertaking ambitious projects such as redirecting water to desert areas and enhancing our dams will require a skilled workforce. By focusing on job creation, we can address unemployment challenges, particularly in the communities surrounding these projects. Additionally, the demand for personnel in related sectors such as agriculture and fish farming will also increase, thereby stimulating economic growth.
4. Boosting Irrigation Farming, Especially in the North:
An extended water supply resulting from the effective management of the Cameroon Dam will significantly enhance irrigation farming in Nigeria, particularly in the northern regions. This will empower farmers to cultivate a wider range of crops throughout the year, increase productivity, and reduce reliance on rain-fed agriculture. The availability of water for irrigation will lead to enhanced food security, improved livelihoods, and an overall increase in agricultural output.
5. Improving Livestock and Fish Farming:
The consistent and adequate supply of water from the Cameroon Dam will greatly benefit livestock and fish farming industries. With access to abundant water resources, farmers and aquaculturists will be able to expand their operations and sustain healthier livestock and fish populations. This will contribute to food production, increase economic revenue, and alleviate pressure on natural water sources.
In conclusion, addressing the challenges associated with the Cameroon Dam presents us with a remarkable opportunity to harness its potential benefits for the development of Nigeria. By channeling water to desert areas, enhancing our own dams, generating employment opportunities, boosting irrigation farming, and improving livestock and fish farming, we can create sustainable growth, enhance food security, and drive economic prosperity.
I recommend the establishment of a task force comprising experts from relevant sectors to explore and devise a comprehensive plan of action. Conducting detailed feasibility studies, extensive stakeholder consultations, and allocating adequate funds will be essential for the successful implementation of these initiatives.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. I am available to further discuss and provide any additional information required to support these endeavors.
Okelenyi Bameyi Ugwu


How Singapore is improving food innovation, sustainability and productivity
Singapore is embracing a range of initiatives to help improve its food security and food supply, with one approach around food innovation already delivering tangible benefits
The security and efficiency of food supply chains are significant issues for many countries around the world. In particular, countries with a lack of arable land, high population density and geographic challenges around proximity to food sources need a diversified and innovative approach to ensure their food supply chains are strong and efficient.
Singapore is one such country, and with little farming land it imports more than 90 per cent of its food, according to the Singapore Food Agency. Singapore’s food security is vulnerable to global driving forces and trends, such as population growth, rising urbanisation and incomes, climate change and scarcity of resources. And as a nation that produces little food, Singapore must also accept prices set by food producers. This means that any shifts in global food supply will likely lead to food price increases in Singapore.
In recognition of these risks, the country has taken a forward-thinking and proactive approach to its food supply, with an ambitious plan to produce 30 per cent of its food locally by 2030. Enterprise Singapore is a government agency that works with companies to build capabilities, improve innovation and strengthen international ties across a range of sectors. To assist with meeting the target of producing 30 per cent of Singapore’s food locally by 2030, Enterprise Singapore has launched a multi-agency initiative called “FoodInnovate” which aims to improve efficiencies, productivity and innovation in the country’s food supply and production industries.
Food innovation maturity in Singapore
Enterprise Singapore is taking a holistic and wide-ranging approach to the above and works with a number of private sector organisations including Open Sesame, the enterprise arm of leading culinary school At-Sunrice GlobalChef Academy. Open Sesame focuses on critical food challenges such as sustainability with zero waste, national self-sufficiency and as an accelerator for food-focused entrepreneurship.
Open Sesame took the lead on the development of a food innovation maturity model, which was a critical first step in understanding exactly how Singapore’s food industry performed and benchmarked in order to understand areas for improvement.
“There are about 7.8 billion people in the world right now, of which 10 per cent are actually starving,” says CEO of Open Sesame, Charles Ling. “And if you look at the statistics of food production, about 30 per cent is wasted. So, in theory we could feed all the people who are starving if we could conserve or reduce the food waste. That’s the big picture problem that we are trying to solve.”
Ling mooted the idea of the food innovation maturity model and explains that he was looking to solve two problems with this approach: “sustainability with no waste, and wellness with good taste.”
With support from the Singaporean Government under the FoodInnovate banner, Ling was looking to co-create a solution that could genuinely drive innovation and help the country’s food industry players realise a range of competitive commercial advantages.
The UNSW Business School partnership
Open Sesame partnered with experts including UNSW Business School’s Digital Enablement Research Network (DERN), an incubator that focuses on digital enablement and innovation for industry partners through high-impact, practical research solutions. DERN was tasked with the job of developing the food innovation maturity model for Open Sesame with a view to improving innovation in Singapore’s food industry, according to DERN network leader Professor Shan Pan, AGSM Scholar and Deputy Head of School (Research) in the School of Information Systems and Technology Management at UNSW Business School.
Prof Pan underscores the importance of innovation and digital enablement in helping Singapore achieve the bigger goal of producing 30 per cent of food locally by 2030. “As we know, Singapore has very limited land space so they will have to look at urban farming – and that will require the use of AI and big data to understand how they can go about this more productively and efficiently,” he says.
“With this as a backdrop, we wanted to look at how traditional food companies think about digital innovation and use digital technologies – but we needed to know how they were positioned as a first step. From there we could build a framework for different types of food industry stakeholders to come in and understand how they are positioned.”
Open Sesame also wanted a partner which could help co-create the IP to engage future stakeholders in commercial conversations and taking advantage of business opportunities for innovation and transformation in the food industry – from helping established businesses efficiently transform existing operations, through to startups looking to build and test minimum viable prototypes, Prof Pan says.
Developing the food innovation maturity model
Prof Pan assembled a team of UNSW Sydney subject matter experts including Dr Yenni Tim, Dr Sandeep Mysore Seshadrinath and Dr Toomas Tamm who possessed multidisciplinary knowledge and who were able to synthesise research solutions in key areas such as marketing, food science and digital innovation.
Prof Pan and his team provided feedback on Ling’s idea on how to develop the model and started with a survey of the food industry and an intensive literature review to help understand best practices around the world with regards to innovation in the food industry. The team then flew to Singapore and conducted some workshops and interviews with 11 food companies locally – from restaurants, government agencies and food suppliers through to manufacturers, logistics companies and startups – as well as some global contacts that were involved in the project.
Developing the actual framework took six months, and on completion, Prof Pan’s team debriefed Open Sesame on the framework, conducted a number of “train the trainer” sessions on how to use the framework and provided ongoing support. Prof Pan is now engaged with Open Sesame in further discussions around the next steps with the project to further enhance the food innovation framework as the foundation of the digital sustainability work that Prof Pan has been developing.
Key elements of the food innovation maturity model
The food innovation maturity model assesses organisations across the six dimensions of strategy, culture, process, technology, adaptability and digital readiness/maturity. Companies are then rated on a scale of one to five (five being the most mature) across 16 key functional areas, from manufacturing, logistics and food deliveries, to front- and back-of-house, talent management, marketing and branding.
This provides participating companies with a number of insights and benefits, including:
- A descriptive account of a business’s current level of innovation capability
- A comparative analysis for benchmarking units and businesses
- A prescriptive indication of areas of improvement for improving innovation capability and charting an innovation journey
- A holistic approach to developing solid innovation capability based on synergistic elements including technology, people, process and strategy
The process starts with a background study involving the leaders of interested organisations to understand their aspirations around innovation and help them to think outside their box, says Ling. “After that, we will conduct a workshop and interview with management as well as people on the ground. And after that, we will use the framework to score them, which will help them to prioritise where they should focus.” The result is an innovation report which highlights key aspects of innovation using data analytics and a roadmap for areas of improvement.
Prof Pan and his team also built the food innovation maturity model with the future in mind. “One thing I highlight when we do the scoring is that this is not a permanent level, because technology advances, there are ongoing developments and new industry competitors enter the market. So companies can use the tool to make sure they catch up with the changes in the landscape,” says Ling, who explains that the framework also aggregates data on an ongoing basis in order to improve the accuracy of future benchmarking.
Going to market with the framework
After a successful pilot program, the food innovation maturity framework was launched successfully into the market as the world’s first innovation profiling tool specifically for the food industry.
For example, Jurong Frog Farm was one of the 11 participant companies surveyed by Prof Pan’s team to review their innovation capability. Founder Chelsea Wan, owner of the three-decade-old family business, said: “In the 13 years since succeeding my father in the business, I have tried to innovate as much as possible but needed a profiling tool coupled with the expertise from Open Sesame to provide a roadmap of how we can move forward with new products and services.”
Open Sesame has also expanded its business model to create opportunities and resources for the commercialisation of ideas into sustainable businesses in their own right. More broadly, Ling says there is significant potential for innovation in the food supply chain beyond Singapore, as the agri-food business globally is worth about $8 trillion dollars.
There are significant opportunities in food sustainability as well, and Ling underscores the importance of sustainability with no waste as a goal of the overall project and says the framework provides valuable insights for companies in this area. “For example, we are working with companies which process fish and have a lot of fish waste. You can throw it out as waste or turn it into fertiliser. But fish has lots of collagen, and if you can extract the collagen and use it to in cosmetics, for example, then that’s positive upcycling and you actually turn what would otherwise be waste into something that is a lot more beneficial to the community,” says Ling.
Prof Pan agrees with Ling and says there is a bigger picture benefit with food sustainability. “I definitely see a need for what I call digital sustainability, which is an important area,” he says. “This is going beyond just the commercial aspects of the project to extend into digital accessibility as well.”
The UNSW Digital Sustainability Knowledge Hub provides research solutions in digital sustainability to assist organisations in improving ESG outcomes and communities in deploying future-ready digital technologies. For more information please contact Prof. Shan Pan directly.
UNSW Sydney and UNSW Business School are committed to delivering against the UN Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) and UN SDGs. More information is available in the UNSW Business School 2021 PRME SIP Report.


Fill tray until the water level touches the bottom of the plant pad holder. Do not overfill, or your seeds will drown.
Place a sheet of paper towel on the plant pad holder so it hangs off the edge. Only about 1-2 inches needs to hang off the plant pad holder.
Place plant pad holder in tray. Water will wick up onto the paper towel and wet it completely.
Spread your seeds. Spread them densely for microgreens and sparsely for full-sized herbs and greens.
Place a layer of paper towels over the seeds, pressing down so the top layer of paper towels gets soaked through as well.
Place the tray in your Nanofarm. Wait a few days for your seeds to germinate.
Once you see greens poking up, it's time to remove the top layer of paper towels and add fertilizer.
Remove the top layer of paper towels.
Lift the plant pad holder and add a water soluble fertilizer to the tray. Miracle-Gro makes one that is available at any home improvement store, but organic options are available as well. Use the mixing instructions on the product. Compost tea can also be used for a DIY option.
Watch your plants grow and harvest when they're ready. Pull the base paper towel off the plant pad holder when you've finished harvesting.


In 1943, Dr. George O. Kohler, published research in The Journal of Biological Chemistry that substantiated Dr. Charles F. Schnabel's earlier research showing how all nutritional values build in the tissue of cereal grasses as they approach the jointing stage, and then more quickly lose their nutrient density as the joint moves up the stem and grows in size.
At Pines we have often pointed customers to this research to provide proof that development of nutritional concentration in wheatgrass and other cereal grasses supports the later development of the grain. In other words, cereal grass is to grain what the the placenta is to the embryo in mammals. Because of that stored nutrition, wheatgrass and other cereal grasses at that once-a-year stage are one of nature's most nutrient dense green foods.
Dr. Kohler's research confirms that cereal grasses needs to be harvested before the joint forms a stem and moves up within it. Once the stem forms, the nutrient density rapidly drops as the stored nutrition of the cereal grass goes toward the growth of the seed. Besides the nutritional concentration, Kohler, Schnabel and other scientists discovered growth and reproductive factors in the unjointed cereal grass which they called, "The Grass Juice Factor." They determined this factor was abundantly found in cereal grass before jointing and that it provided significant improvements in health in all animals tested, including humans. They found the factor quickly drops after jointing.
In fact, when wheatgrass is harvested after the stems form and after the joint starts it's journey, the stems and flag leaves that grow off the stems are not wheatgrass at all. Rather, when a cereal plant is harvested past the jointing stage, it might more correctly be called "green stem with flag leaves" rather than cereal grass.
This picture shows the difference between wheatgrass harvested at the stage Pines harvests it, which is the most nutritious point, compared with when most producers harvest their cereal grasses.
The picture on the left is at the stage Kohler and Schnabel documented as the correct time to harvest the plant for maximum green food nutrition. The picture on the right is when most other companies, except Pines, harvest their wheatgrass. Please look closely at the bottom of each stem shown in the picture on the right, and you will see that the true wheatgrass, which is lush and green in the picture on the left, has been drained of nutrition to feed the seed head that is moving up the stem that has formed. The true wheatgrass has become dried and brown at the bottom of each stem in the picture on the right.
Here is another view of the wheat plant at the post-jointing stage. Again, please notice that the wheatgrass at the bottom of each stem is no longer green.
The wheatgrass at the base of each stem has become dry and drained of nutrition. The stored nutrition in the wheatgrass, which took 200 days to build through a winter of often freezing temperatures, went to make the embryonic seed head (the joint) that is growing inside each stem. If you split open the stem a week after Pines harvests, you can actually see the grain embryo. It has quickly gone from tiny, nearly microscopic in size at the stage when Pines harvests, to a rapidly developing embryonic seed head inside each stem at the stage when other companies harvest.
Here is a picture of one of the stems opened up to expose the embryonic seed head that has been developing thanks to the nutritional concentration that was in the wheatgrass.
As the embryonic seed head becomes larger, the stem develops a wide spot, which you can see in the picture on the left. Using one's fingernail, the stem can be dissected to expose the seed head, which has developed in the picture on the right to about one half inch in length. The reason the seed head can grow so quickly is because of the stored nutrition that was in the wheatgrass.
True wheatgrass contains no gluten. Obviously if a company allows the seed head to develop and move up within a stem, there is going to be gluten present. Some companies solve this gluten problem and excess stem fiber by using aspiration to blow off the stems along with the gluten contained in them, leaving only the flag leaves. Even so, flag leaves are not true wheatgrass. Kohler's research showed that although the flag grass does have some nutritional value, it is not nearly as nutritionally dense as true wheatgrass.
Pines specializes in harvesting only naturally gluten-free true wheatgrass. We do not have to aspirate the stem to get rid of the gluten because when we harvest there is no stem! When we harvest there is also no gluten, and we frequently test to make sure.
The four PDF files below represents a complete copy of Dr. Kohler's research that confirmed Dr. Schnabel's earlier research. Both scientists showed that wheatgrass and other cereal grasses need to be harvested before the growth of the embryonic seed head in order to provide the highest nutritional density. This research was with spring wheat, which reaches the jointing stage at about 30 days. The same kind of data obtained with winter wheat, which reaches the jointing stage at about 200 days after a winter of very slow growth in often freezing temperatures.
Here is a summary of the data from the Kohler research:
The picture below from the YouTube video shows the color of seven products compared to the color Pines Wheat Grass (at the bottom of the plate), which is harvested at the true wheatgrass stage. Please click the start button to watch the video.


The primary purpose of GM in the US has been to allow the crops to tolerate the mass spraying of pesticides such as Roundup (which is banned in the EU on grounds of public health). Furthermore farmers are forced to sign contracts with corporations, which lock them in to only receiving seed and pesticide from one particular company. Control of their farm is essentially lost. They are thus reduced to the role of modern day serfs.
Rural America, which voted overwhelmingly for Trump, is under attack from all sides. As this article from the Guardian discusses America’s factory farming system has destroyed rural America, turning many into little more than modern day serfs. Trump’s “tax cut” might actually push up the running costs of many US farmers, as it eliminated various deductions that they benefited from. Quite apart from the economic blowback from his tariff policy and trade wars. And inevitably the rate of suicides is up in rural America.
US agriculture is now heading in completely the wrong direction, as such intensive farming methods are not only bad for rural communities, reducing the number of well paid jobs (in favour of low paid jobs filled by recently arrive immigrants) but they are also terrible for the environment. Carbon emissions are higher (there’s been some efforts to claim…
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Notes from the Ground - Cohen, Benjamin R. - Yale University Press
- Related Categories
- Series Information
- Yale Agrarian Studies Series
Notes from the Ground
Science, Soil, and Society in the American Countryside
Out of Print.
Notes from the Ground examines the cultural conditions that brought agriculture and science together in nineteenth-century America. Integrating the history of science, environmental history, and science studies, the book shows how and why agrarian Americans—yeoman farmers, gentleman planters, politicians, and policy makers alike—accepted, resisted, and shaped scientific ways of knowing the land. By detailing the changing perceptions of soil treatment, Benjamin Cohen shows that the credibility of new soil practices grew not from the arrival of professional chemists, but out of an existing ideology of work, knowledge, and citizenship.
Benjamin R. Cohen is assistant professor at Lafayette College.
OTHER TITLES IN THIS SERIES


At the National Ploughing Championships in 2010, McHale launched the first machine in its straw blower and bale feeder range, the C460. This machine has been very well accepted in the market. As a direct result of its success McHale have had requests from users for a linkage machine and a machine which could handle two five foot bales.
Over the last decade McHale has firmly established itself as the top producer of integrated baler wrappers in Europe. The McHale Fusion has become the machine of choice for contractors and farmers all over the world.
Over the last decade McHale has become a market leader in the New Zealand baler market.
Last week the last three machines for this year left the McHale factory on their journey to
New Zealand. These machines were loaded on a new Scania Limited Edition truck recently
purchased by T. Alun Jones and started the first part of their 18,934km journey to the South
Island of New Zealand.
Jane Carley of Farmers Guardian recently reviewed the McHale C460 Bale Feeder and Straw Blower with Peak Park Farm ahead of Lamma 2014 which took place last month. Feeding and bedding cattle in a safe and efficient manner is a priority for beef farmers and the McHale C460 bale shredder fits the bill for one Derbyshire enterprise.
McHale Film on Film -
McHale have developed the concept of film on film. This is a system whereby the traditional method of placing net wrap or twine is now replaced with plastic being applied to the bale in the chamber prior to the bale being transferred to the wrapper.


The definition of a weed is relatively simple. Search for it on the internet and you’ll find something like this: “A wild plant growing where it is not wanted and in competition with cultivated plants.” Knowing how to banish weeds from your landscape is valuable knowledge, and there is a right way and a wrong way to deal with common weeds in Florida.
Three traditional ways exist to control typical weeds in a Florida landscape:
- Application of herbicides.
- Removal by hand.
Each method can be effective in a certain situation, but each also has some disadvantages. The best way, of course, might be to prevent weeds from taking root, but in most parts of the state that would be an impossible task. Wild plants — weeds — are hardy and are already established in the soil in most parts of Florida. Property owners must learn to control them since total elimination is often an impossible dream. Then, too, weed varieties are probably are much more common than you might have believed.
Learn About the Variety of Weeds in Florida
The first step in control is knowing how to recognize a weed growing in your Florida lawn. Then the second step on the ladder to controlling weeds is knowing how to treat or remove a specific unwanted weed. Although dandelions, several varieties of clover, crabgrass, and common chickweed are typically recognized as unwanted weeds, other wild plants may sprout in your lawn. Some are actually quite attractive. Although you might be hesitant to remove them from your landscape, they probably don’t belong in your lawn.
Once weeds take hold in a lawn, however, they become increasingly difficult to remove, and unwanted weeds may crowd out more desirable plants if not controlled. An identification guide to common Florida weeds is available through the Range Cattle Research and Education Center at the University of Florida.
Weeds in Florida Have Unique Characteristics
Just like other plants, those we think of as weeds have distinctive characteristics and unique habits. In order to treat weeds effectively, it’s important to recognize some of those characteristics. Weeds are classified in a variety of ways, but essentially they are grouped into categories based on their growth habits, appearance, and life cycles.
Major categories of weeds include broadleaves that typically have “net-like” veins and showy flowers, grasses with rounded hollow stems, and sedges and rushes that thrive in moist habitats.
Weed life cycles can be annual, biennial, or perennial. Recognizing these characteristics will help to determine the proper control and treatment of the weeds in your landscape.
In all cases, healthy turf will minimize the presence of weeds, and treatment to prevent weed growth can be minimal.
Hand Removal of Weeds in Florida
Pulling weeds by hand may not be a major effort for homeowners with a modestly-sized yard, but for large properties and commercial landscapes, it would require constant attention and represent backbreaking effort. Hand-pulling is only practical when only a few weeds are visible, and pulling a few weed sprouts that appear following a rain does not usually require a major effort. But it should not become a full-time job.
It’s important to remove the entire plant, however, including all roots, to prevent new growth, and to make certain that the plant won’t grow back. A particularly pervasive weed like Florida pusley must often be dug out of the ground with a trowel.
Mowing Is an Effective Weed Control Method
One of the easiest ways to control the spread of common weeds in Florida lawns is the regular mowing of a lawn to keep it at the proper height. Keeping grass at the right height prevents most weeds from getting the necessary sun to germinate and sprout. Lawns should be mowed regularly but not kept too short. Regular mowing does not eliminate weed roots, but it will prevent seed heads from forming, and minimize the spread of new weeds.
Using Herbicides to Control Common Florida Weeds
Basically, two types of chemical treatments exist to control the spread of weeds in a Florida landscape: Pre-emergent and post-emergent herbicides, and they kill plants as you would expect. Pre-emergent chemical treatments are designed to prevent germination, while post-emergent treatment kills a plant that has already begun to grow.
The University of Florida recommends the use of both types at different times of the year to ensure the most effective weed control. February is typically the month to apply pre-emergent weed treatments throughout Florida. In the southern part of the state, treatment is usually recommended by February 1, while February 15 is the suggested target date for north Florida. However, if winter temperatures reach 65 to 70 degrees for several days in a row, it time to apply the weed killer.
Post-emergent herbicides are at maximum effectiveness when sprayed on young weeds, so it’s best to keep a close watch on your lawn and treat young weeds as soon as possible. More mature weeds will often require a second or even third treatment.
Choose the Right Type of Herbicide to Treat Common Weeds
Available herbicides act in different ways. The four types of chemical treatments that kill plants are classified as selective or non-selective, and contact or systemic.
A selective herbicide targets specific plants or weeds, but it will not affect turf and other desirable plants. Non-selective applications will kill any growing plant they are in contact with, and they would rarely be used extensively on lawns.
Contact herbicides kill only the parts of the plant they actually are in contact with, but they do not kill root systems, while systemic treatments spread throughout the plant system, both above and below ground.
How to Plan a Weed-free Florida Landscape
A professional landscape company like ASI Landscape Management has the knowledge, experience, and tools to help you achieve the weed-free landscape of your dreams. We offer full care services, including annual weed-control programs. We will exterminate your current weeds, and prevent future infestations.
Our talented designers and technicians not only have the knowledge and expertise to suggest the best turfgrass and plants for your region, but we have the vision and necessary local experience to understand growth cycles, seasonal variations, hardiness zones, and safe and efficient weed control methods that will keep your landscape the showpiece you want it to be.
No matter what your landscape entails — acres of grass or small patches of lawn interspersed with flower gardens, walking paths, fountains, and patios — you should plan it to contain the types of trees, shrubbery, and blooming plants that you select, not those unwanted visitors that weeds represent.
If you’d like more information on the services available from ASI Landscape Management, with offices in both Tampa and Orlando, please contact us to schedule a consultation. We serve the entire state and offer full services from planning and award-winning landscape architecture to complete installation and ongoing lawn maintenance services.


Located in Normandy on the Cider Route, in the heart of the Pays d’Auge, the Pierre Huet family estate has been producing and selling since 2005 Calvados, Pommeau de Normandie, Ciders and Liqueurs. On the estate’s 30 hectares of orchards, composed of tall apple trees and low stems, count more than 25 varieties of cider apples. Potatoes, potatoes, potatoes, potatoes, potatoes, potatoes, potatoes, Calvados, Pommeau de Normandie and Cider Pays d’Auge. After more than a century and a half of practice, the family is a master in the subtle and delicate art of assembling Calvados. Since 1921, many medals besides rewarded their know-how.
Normandy is located on the northwest coast of France, facing the English Channel. It has always been a haven of peace, a region rich in history and traditions. It gathers an infinity of landscapes with a side of the sea and its 600 kilometers of coasts, its majestic cliffs, its immense beaches of fine sand, its stations seaside resorts such as, Deauville, Dieppe, Cabourg, Le Touquet, Etretat, Fécamp, Trouville, Honfleur… But Normandy is also a verdant region of countryside with blooming state forests, apple orchards, endless meadows and many parks and gardens. It is also the dream destination for gastronomes for the quality of its local products. Gastronomy has a very important place. Maritime and agricultural region, it has abundant and multiple resources, it is famous for its cuisine with cream and butter but also known for: apples, seafood, oysters, scallops, fish … its dairy products, its cheeses (camembert, livarot, Neufchâtel, Pont-L’Évêque), its drinks (cider, calvados and pommeau).
The apple is an edible fruit with a sweet and tangy taste and with the property more or less astringent according to the varieties. From a botanical point of view, it is a complex of fruits, car it derives from the flower and its receptacle. The main types of apples are all domestic apple or common apple, Malus domestica, which has around 20,000 varieties and cultivars worldwide. Of a squat form of set sometimes even spherical, it is consumed with raw maturity, cooked or dried. Its juice is drunk as is or pasteurized or fermented, it takes the name of “cider”. Cider apples are apples specially selected to produce quality cider or calvados. They are generally small and rich in tannins, unlike table apples that are eaten and cooking apples used for example for compotes. They come from orchards in high stalks (traditionally in fields), and also now in low stems, generally installed on soils of shallow clay-limestone slopes and benefiting from a climate of temperate oceanic type.


|A cluster of pearl millet seedlings will emerge from the soil at each station, 3-5 days after planting under adequate soil moisture. Competition for the limited nutrients starts then and becomes severe as plants grow. It is therefore vital to remove some of the plants by hand-pulling them. It is recommended to leave only 3 or less healthy plants per station.Thinning should be done before tillering starts, generally about a month after planting. Plants removed through thinning are sometimes transplanted to fill-in wide gaps. This should be done the same day and only under adequate soil moisture. Gap filling is not encouraged when soil moisture is limiting, and seedlings are overgrown.


Valent U.S.A. Corporation
- Individual Size:
3 Lbs. Jug
- Active Ingredient:
- EPA Signal Word:
- Application Methods:
Basal Bark, Foliar Spray, Soil Drench
Safari 20SG Systemic Insecticide Controls:
Q- and B-biotype whitefly, Hemlock Woolly Adelgid, Emerald Ash Borer, Mealybug, Mountain Pine Beetle, Leafminer, Fungus Gnat, Black Vine Weevil, Glassy-winged Sharpshooter, Armored and Soft Scale and Lacebug.
Safari 20SG Systemic Insecticide protects against many of the most costly pests that affect high value greenhouse and nursery crops such as Poinsettia and Hibiscus, as well as trees, shrubs and herbaceous ornamentals in the lawn and landscape market.
Safari 20 SG Insecticide - Label
Safari 20 SG Insecticide - Supplimental Mountain Pine Beetle Label
Safari 20 SG Insecticide - MSDS
Disclaimer: Exposure to almost any pesticide can cause illness. Some pesticides are so toxic even a small quantity can be dangerous to the operator, bystanders, pets, livestock and wildlife. To apply any pesticide safely, your most important source of information is the label on the container. Read and follow the directions on it.
Please read all pesticide labels prior to use. The information contained at this web site is not a substitute for a pesticide label. Trade names used herein are for convenience only; no endorsement of products is intended, nor is criticism of unnamed products implied. Most of the agri-chemical and pesticide information is historical in nature and may no longer be applicable.
Disclaimer Not all products listed are available for purchase or authorized for use in every state. In addition, some states, counties and cities may require special licensing and training to sell, purchase or apply some of the products presented in this web page. It is the responsibility of the distributor, retailer or professional applicator to verify, before product sale/purchase, that the product is approved for the use intended in their state, county and city.


An industrial unit specialised in the production and processing of broiler chickens will soon emerge in the area of Dzeng, located in the Centre region of Cameroon. The ceremony to lay the foundation stone of this industrial complex was presided over by the Minister of Economy Louis Paul Motazé, last 28 April.
Indeed, we are told officially, the Cameroonian government will bring a financial contribution of FCfa 2 billion to the creation of this project that is sponsored by a private-sector operator, who has a partnership with the Italian Chamber of Commerce.
The Dzeng industrial complex aims to produce 300,000 broilers annually, as well as 10,800 trays of eggs. It should strengthen the national supply of broilers, but above all bring the beginning of a solution to the absence of chicken slaughter lines in the country.


These are seasonal businesses, so please check their websites or Facebook pages for current information. We advise calling before traveling a long distance to make sure they are open and have the produce or products available that you’re seeking.
Moseley Roadside Market
5009 County Hwy O, Warrens, WI 54666; (608) 378-4477; email@example.com
Since 1960, Moseley Roadside Market has been selling homegrown fruits and vegetables, as well as locally produced honey and maple syrup. Our pick-your-own blueberry patch opens around July 1. By the end of July, we have Supersweet sweet corn, cucumbers, tomatoes, green beans and more. In early August, our muskmelons and seedless watermelons are ready. In the fall, we have pumpkins and squash. We offer wagon rides to our Pumpkin Patch on Saturdays in October, or by appointment. Becca’s Bakery makes homemade pies on the weekends that the Farm Market is open, featuring seasonal fruits like apples, blueberries and cranberries. Pies are also available by special order. For the latest updates on what produce is available, see our Facebook page.
23396 Aspen Ave., Warrens, WI 54666; (608) 387-2258; firstname.lastname@example.org
We are a locally owned and operated greenhouse located in Warrens. We pride ourselves on being the grower from start to finish. We open Earth Day weekend to give people an early pick on Mother’s Day baskets. We offer a limited supply of 10- and 12-inch hanging baskets (however many we can fit in our greenhouses), along with a variety of flowering and foliage plants in 4-inch pots, 3-inch pots and 4-packs for you to create your own flower planters. We also offer annual flowers, houseplants, succulents, herbs and vegetable garden starters. Come back in the fall for mums and more! Follow our Facebook page for updates.
Rex Moseley’s Fruit & Vegetable Farm
23933 Cortland Avenue, Warrens, WI 54666; (608) 378-4543; email@example.com
Our family has been growing apples since 1875, when my great-grandfather homesteaded our farm. I’ve been growing apples here for more than 40 years. In September, our 12 varieties of apples ~ including Honeycrisp ~ are ready to pick or are available pre-picked. Also in the fall, we have apple cider, pumpkins, squash and cabbage. For the latest updates, see our Facebook page.
Wetherby Cranberry Company
3365 Auger Road, Warrens, WI 54666; (608) 378-4813; firstname.lastname@example.org
We pride ourselves here at the Wetherby Cranberry Company on packaging and selling the highest quality fresh cranberries you can buy. We sell our fresh cranberries in different sized quantities, ranging from 1-pound bags to 30-pound bulk boxes. We also have a small winery and make cranberry wine from some of our cranberries. Our season typically starts in late September and runs through mid November. If traveling a long distance, we suggest calling first to see if we have cranberries available. See our listing on the Cranberry Marsh Tours page for information on our marsh tours and special events. We also invite you to visit our website become a fan of our Facebook page.


Summertime means delicious fresh fruits and vegetables, and July means cherries. Since starting my graduate thesis in tart cherry breeding, I have developed an adoration for cherry production, and if you love cherries, Michigan is the right place to be. Within the United States, Michigan produces around 75% of the nation’s tart cherries and Washington, Oregon, and California collectively produce 90% of the sweet cherries.
The Cherry Family Tree
Cherries belong to the Rosaceae family which originated in Eastern Europe. Other members of this family are peaches, strawberries, plums, apricots, apples, pears, raspberries, almonds, roses, and others. Within the Rosaceae family, cherries belong to the Prunus genus. The two cherry species that we grow for fruit are sweet cherries (Prunus avium) and tart/sour cherries (Prunus cerasus). Sweet cherries are a progenitor species of tart cherries: in the ancient past, sweet cherries hybridized with another species, ground cherry, to produce what we know today as tart cherry. Cherries were brought to North America by Europeans and are now grown across the continent, particularly in areas like the Great Lakes and the Northwest United States where the effects of climate extremes are reduced by the surrounding topography.
So what’s the difference between sweet and tart cherries?
The major difference, of course, is that one is sweet and the other sour, but there are several other differences in both physical characteristics and production practices. Let’s start with the different characteristics. Commercially available sweet cherries are typically large, dark purple colored, and firm. You may recognize names like ‘Bing’, ‘Regina’, and ‘Sweetheart’. Sweet cherries can also be lighter yellow with a red blush, like the popular cultivar ‘Rainier’. There are fewer commercially grown tart cherry cultivars, with the most common being ‘Montmorency’, which is smaller and soft with red skin and light flesh. Another tart cherry cultivar you may recognize is ‘Balaton’ which is dark purple in color. ‘Balaton’ is grown on a small percentage of the total tart cherry acreage and is more commonly found in farmer’s markets and you-pick locations than in grocery stores. ‘Balaton’ has a charming origin story and was brought to the U.S. by my advising professor Dr. Amy Iezzoni, read more about its history here.
Sweet and tart cherries are both grown in monoculture over many acres of orchards and require similar growing conditions. Even though the two species are closely related they do differ in some cultural practices. One example of this is the use of fungicides to control the fungal disease Cherry Leaf Spot, which defoliates trees and is devastating to growers. Tart cherries are more susceptible to Cherry Leaf Spot than sweet cherries, and therefore
require more frequent fungicide sprays.
Because my thesis is regarding different host-tree responses to Cherry Leaf Spot and breeding tart cherries for resistance to it, I will save these details for another post. Nonetheless, there are slightly different cultural inputs for sweet and tart cherries. The biggest difference, however, is the end use of these two cherry species and how this changes the way they are harvested and the ideal traits for each.
Sweet cherries are sold to consumers in the fresh market, while tart cherries are usually sold frozen and dried or as a component of baked goods, juices, and jams. Because sweet cherries are eaten fresh, they are picked and transported around the country shortly after harvest. This is why it is difficult to find sweet cherries out of season. Consumers prefer sweet cherries with the stem still attached, therefore all sweet cherries are hand-picked in order to keep the stems, which cannot be accomplished with a mechanical harvester. For fresh eating, it is preferred that the cherries be large in size and firm. Size appeals to consumers and increases grower profits while firmness allows the fruit to be transported long distances with less damage.
Oppositely, tart cherries tend to be processed just after harvest and are eaten as an ingredient in other food products. They are typically soft and therefore difficult to transport as a fresh product. About two weeks prior to harvest, tart cherries are sprayed with a plant growth regulator, Ethephon, which loosens the stems from the fruit. This allows the cherries to be more easily harvested with mechanical shakers that grasp the trunk of the tree and shake the fruits from the branches, catching them on a tarp (*see links to videos below). Once collected on the tarp, a conveyor belt moves the fruit into a large square bin of cold water. This cold water helps to preserve the quality of the soft fruit. These bins are then taken to a platform, or cooling pad, where cold water is continuously pumped throughout the bins until they can be transported to a nearby processing plant that same day. At the processing plant, the pits will be removed and the cherries will eventually be made into products like canned pie filling, dried cherries, frozen cherries, jam, and juice. Because tart cherries are harvested using mechanical shakers, fruit can only be harvested from trees that are at least 6 years old: any younger and the trunk may break. This is a big restriction to tart cherry growers, as cherries can flower and produce fruit when they are 3 years old. To address this issue, alternative methods, such as the use of precocious dwarfing rootstocks and over-the-row harvesting systems, are being explored for both young orchards and high-density plantings.
Tart Cherry Breeding Goals
As mentioned in previous posts, plant breeders tend to target specific traits depending on the crop, environment, and needs of growers. As far as tart cherry breeding goes, Michigan State University is home to the only tart breeding program in the United States, led by Dr. Amy Iezzoni. As a student in this program, I have been lucky enough to see firsthand the progress made in improving tart cherry traits and the impact this work has on growers. So what are the traits being targeted in tart cherry breeding? You may have been able to guess a few from the above descriptions of various fruit traits and production practices.
When it comes to fruit traits we are looking for larger and firmer fruits that have both red skin and red flesh, and detach easily from the stems for harvest purposes. Because consumers associate red color with cherries, it is the color preferred by processors. The current major cultivar ‘Montmorency’ has red skin but nearly clear flesh, so red food dyes are often added to cherry products; however, fruit with naturally red flesh would eliminate this use of added dyes. For processing, it is best if the fruits are round so that they sit appropriately in the pitting equipment, and firm enough that they do not break apart when the pit is poked out. It is also essential for the pit to be round so that it is not chipped by the machinery, freestone so that it easily detaches from the flesh of the fruit, and small enough so that it doesn’t take up too much of the fruit size but large enough that it is not missed by the pitting equipment. In addition to fruit traits we are breeding for increased fruit yields, resistance to Cherry Leaf Spot, and late bloom time. Later bloom time reduces the risk of yield losses caused by flower death in the occurrence of Spring frosts.
Progress in breeding for these traits has been hastened through the use of genetic markers which provide information to be used in designing breeding crosses and selecting individuals. To learn more about how this technology is being used in breeding Rosaceous crops like cherries, visit these links for the RosBREED Project and Dr. Iezzoni’s Program and look for a future Cultivate Curiosity post on genetic markers in breeding.
This summer, enjoy fresh sweet cherries while they are in season and keep an eye out for any local fresh markets with tart cherries! The rest of the year, enjoy tart cherries in pies, jams, juices, as well as dried and frozen. To learn more about tart cherry’s admirable qualities and to get some creative cherry recipes visit choosecherries.com.


Dr. Mankombu Sambasivan Swaminathan, the eminent agricultural scientist renowned as the ‘Father of India’s Green Revolution,’ breathed his last in Chennai at the age of 98. His pioneering work in agriculture, particularly the development of high-yielding crop varieties, has left an indelible mark on India’s farming landscape.
Agricultural Pioneer Who Nurtured India’s Green Revolution
Dr. Swaminathan commenced his career in 1949 with research on crop genetics, delving into essential crops like wheat, rice, potato, and jute. However, it was during a period of impending famine that his work would become truly transformative. Collaborating with fellow scientist Norman Borlaug and other experts, he played a central role in crafting high-yield crop varieties that sparked the ‘Green Revolution.’ This agricultural transformation significantly increased crop productivity through advanced chemical and biological technologies.
Awards and Legacy
Dr. Swaminathan’s profound contributions were globally recognized, earning him the World Food Prize in 1987. He later established the MS Swaminathan Research Foundation in Chennai to continue his mission of advancing agricultural research. His illustrious career garnered him numerous honors, including the Ramon Magsaysay Award (1971), the Albert Einstein World Science Award (1986), and India’s prestigious Padma awards. He also held key administrative positions in agricultural research, leaving an enduring legacy that continues to benefit Indian farmers.
Dr. M.S. Swaminathan’s visionary work forever transformed India’s agriculture, ensuring food security and prosperity for countless farmers. As the nation mourns his passing, his legacy endures in the bountiful harvests and thriving agricultural practices that have become synonymous with his name. His life is a testament to the boundless possibilities that science, dedication, and compassion hold for the betterment of society.


On Wednesday afternoon, the Yankees continued their eighth annual HOPE Week (Helping Others Persevere & Excel) by recognizing the organization Harlem Grown and its founder, Tony Hillery.
Yankees players Masahiro Tanaka, Andrew Miller, Michael Pineda, Ivan Nova, Rob Refsnyder, Austin Romine, Chasen Shreve,Kirby Yates and Richard Bleier visited the Harlem Grown garden and greenhouse on 134th Street, surprising Hillery and a class of kindergarten students from P.S. 125.
Hillery and the children were treated to a salad prep demonstration from Celebrity Chef Andrew Carmellini. Then the group got down in the dirt, planting seeds and doing work in the garden. Additional participants today included hip-hop artists “The Lox” (featuring group members: Jadakiss, Sheek Louch and Styles P), Miss New York USA 2016 Serena Bucaj and singer-songwriter Kany Garcia.
During the ceremonies, the Yankees presented a donation to Harlem Grown on behalf of the New York Yankees Foundation.
Yankees Manager Joe Girardi wore a Harlem Grown shirt during his pregame press conference and said of it, “Tony Hillery is a an from New York that had a limo business, and after the recession in 2009, thought it was time to do something different, so he volunteered at P.S. 175 in Harlem, and noticed within a hundred-block radius there were over 50 fried chicken places and there were no salad places. And, being from an area where there are a lot of single mothers, he was concerned about what the kids were eating. Kids couldn’t really afford to eat healthy food.
“There was a lot across from the school, and he was able to reclaim it and start up an urban farm and grow healthy food, vegetables and cherry trees…I guess a few of our players went and helped plant. Obviously, the weather helped because rain with fresh plants is always good.”
Harlem Grown has expanded to include one-on-one mentoring, operation of a hydroponic greenhouse (which produces arugula, kale, Swiss chard and basil among other items), a summer camp, cooking workshops, and training for Harlem parents to learn about urban agriculture. All of the food produced by Harlem Grown is given to the children to take home or sold to local establishments for revenue that is reinvested in the program.


Eco-friendly polymer-sorbent of organic components for irrigation of agricultural plants.
The polymer-sorbent “Solid water” is a small-size pellets, resembling coarse sugar, one kilogram dry granule which is able to absorb about 500 gallons of water with all dissolved nutrients, the pellets increase by about 100 times.
The technology is awaiting funding!
Eco-friendly polymer-sorbent of organic components of “Hard water” – polymer compound, based on potassium (crosslinked copolymer of polyacrylate-polyacrylamide potassium). The polymer-sorbent is a small-size pellets, resembling coarse sugar, one kilogram dry granule which is able to absorb about 500 gallons of water with all dissolved nutrients, the pellets increase by about 100 times.
Dry the substance is a white granules with a density of 540±40 g/m3 pH 6.0 to 6.8, and a particle size of 70-2000 microns. In contact in a moist environment is the swelling of the granules with the subsequent formation of eleveno mass.
The polymer-sorbent does not dissolve in water, when watering will not leach from the soil and works successfully for about 10 years, when a single application in soil reduces irrigation frequency and volume more than 50 %, and saves water-soluble fertilizers, stimulators, protectors, preventing them from leaching.
The action of the sorbent-polymer based on the properties of water. Water soluble with all nutrients it gets in a polymer matrix (inside the frame of the ion exchanger), forming its walls, and acquires the structure of ice, which allows it to gain a foothold in the polymer-sorbent. Therefore, the polymer is called “hard water”. When the level of humidity around the granule is reduced, due to the matrix are broken, changing the structure of the liquid and it enters the soil.
To begin irrigation, you need to “sow” sorbent field, and then abundantly watered it with water. After that, the polymer-sorbent starts to work in automatic mode, maintaining the required for the plants moisture level. When this level falls below a certain threshold, the granules give the water in the soil. And when it rains again swell, absorbing her. One filling of the sorbent-polymer with water will be sufficient for the entire growing season. In this case, the advantage is that the granules are not washed out of the soil, so that their duration can range from five to ten years. Depending on the type of plants in the soil is paid a different amount of sorbent and, accordingly, different amounts of water.
The main property is the absorption and retention of water inside the frame of the ion exchanger, and with all soluble in it in nutrients. The soil around the roots is not converted into the cortex, it provides access of air and water to the roots, and also excludes the possibility of its erosion. At the onset of the dry period, the root system of a plant takes from the soil the necessary amount of moisture. The pellet decreases, returning to its original size and is ready for a new cycle of accumulation of water.
Thus, there is aeration and drainage of soil, and each plant independently selects the necessary amount of water. The main advantage is that drugs of the type “solid water” is not only easy to absorb water, holding it down, but if necessary just as easily give it the root system of the plant. This process can be repeated virtually an unlimited number of times, to the complete disintegration of substance.
– environmentally friendly. The polymer-sorbent “Solid water” is made from organic ingredients, is fully disposed in natural conditions as to the complete disintegration of substance. The polymer-sorbent “Hard water” and its breakdown products are environmentally safe and non-toxic;
– possibility of enrichment of polymer-sorbent of trace elements, organic additives and nutrients for crop plants, substances;
– the ability to absorb water up to 500 times of the volume of the polymer sorbent;
– the ease and simplicity of soil according to the principle “once made and forgot”. Incorporated in the soil standard of agricultural machinery and equipment. Requires the use of additional equipment;
– can withstand multiple cycles of vegetation (growing up to 10 cycles) and cycles of freezing and thawing, and heating and temperature changes. Granules of the sorbent-polymer do not break in winter;
– polymer-sorbent was washed from the soil;
– introduced into the soil when sowing seeds, later working 10 years;
– at the end of the use of a fully decomposed without harming the environment. Does not require recycling of decay products and the spent polymer-sorbent;
– the cost is lower 1.5 – 2 times than the imported counterparts (roughly 10-12 dollars USA per 1 kg);
– plant roots can easily penetrate into the swollen polymer-sorbent, forming a single system;
– increase productivity in 2 times (for example barley);
– the irrigation method with the use of a sorbent-polymer is environmentally friendly, it eliminates saracinesche and soil salinity, which can occur under normal irrigation;
– when using polymer-sorbent reduces the consumption of water when watering plants, the frequency of irrigation and volume of water more than 50%;
– increases the enzymatic activity of soil in comparison with traditional methods;
– increases the number of soil microorganisms by 2 times.
– in regions with arid climate;
– in greenhouses;
– in order to agricultural intensification;
– to increase crop yields.
In 2015, conducted field tests.
Note: the description of technology in example, the polymer-sorbent “Hard water”.
© Photo , http://www.vsu.ru.


First 3 Weeks
In our climate it is essential that you keep sod properly watered for the first month. Water the sod 3 to 4 times a day during the first 14 to 21 days depending on heat, sun, and season. The idea is to get the roots to chase the water down deep into the soil. You can lift a corner of the sod to determine the depth of moisture. Make sure you are soaking all the way through. During the first month stay off the lawn so it can take root and so that you do not leave depressions from your footsteps. If the lawn starts to shrink and brown you need to water it more. If watered correctly the roots of your new sod are going to penetrate the soil faster and grow stronger. At the end of week 3, dry up the yard enough so you can mow.
Weeks 4 & 5
This is a transition phase from frequent daily watering to fewer cycles per day. During week 4, reduce waterings to 2 to 3 times per day. By week 5, water 1 to 2 times daily and if the new sod is not drying out skip a day between watering cycles. Water your lawn in the evening or early morning when less evaporation occurs. After week 5 you can now get the grass on a regular watering schedule.
Rest of the Season
The new will need extra water the first growing season and especially the first 6 months. As its roots begin to reach deeper it will start to need less water. If your sod looks dry, it needs watering. The trick to new sod care this time is deep watering less frequently. Again it is to help the sod grow down and develop a deep root system that can survive on less water later. After the first two months it is good to stress your lawn, but just a little. This means let your yard dry out a little bit and once you see signs of stress appear, go and water. This is so you can fine tune sprinklers. Adjust heads for proper coverage, change nozzles for more or less water in target areas, and water in early mornings.
First 3 Weeks


By definition Hemp is an industrial agricultural crop variety of Cannabis that contains little to no Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol or THC, the phsycoactive cannabinoid know to produce a “high”
Hemp is commonly known for fiber production but more recently the plant has been sought after for its high production of CBD.
In order for a crop to be considered hemp by both federal and New York state definition, the plant material must contain no more than .03% delta 9 THC by dry weight.
All our products are sourced from USA hemp farmers and processors that undergo strict testing and regulatory processes to ensure they meet these guidelines.
Our products are never sourced from marijuana plants


1. Brief Introduction
We can see the phenomenon in our daily life that we can't see the contents packed in the packaging containers because the vapor evaporated from foods/food reserves is concentraetd on the inside of the film used to pack foods/food reserves when there is a rapid change in temperature. Especially in the agricultural greenhouses, the formation of water drop on the inside of the films reduces the penetration ratio of the light and this phenomenon hinders the growth of crops. Our Anti-Fogging masterbatch is made of the materials approved for the use of food packaging. This prevents the formation of water drop by forming a thin anti-fogging layer on the surface of the film if added in the production process of PE/PP films, keeps the freshness of the contents longer and makes the contents looks clear.
2. Theory of Anti-Fogging
As the surfaces of most films are hydrophobic, they are not wetted even they meet water drops and keep the shape of water drop for a long period of time due to the big contact angle between water and films. Anti-fogging masterbatch prevents the formation of water drop on the surface of the films because it makes the contact angle smaller by improving the affinity between them. Water drops are wetted/dispersed through the films smoothly and makes the film looks transparent.
3. Criteria for the selection of Anti-Figging Masterbatch
Anti-fogging masterbatch is made of mainly surfactant, which has a strong hydrophile property. As there are many kinds of surfactant, it is necessary to choose the right one in consideration of anti-fogging effect and other properties.
Anti-Fogging masterbatch has diverse characteristics such as quick-acting effect, consistency and thermophilic, etc. and is restricted to use only the raw materials allowed to use for food packaging. Also the sealing property, blocking property and slip property, etc. of the films should be considered in advance.
4. Major Uses/Applications
- Agricultural greenhouses
- Crops and vegetable packaging films
- Mushroom packaging films
- Meat/Chicken packaging films
- Others for the packaging of the foods/food reserves containing high humidity
5. Grade per applicable Resin


Between Nov 2017 and April 2018, a pilot study was carried out on a dairy goat farm in Taranaki, to compare how different management strategies affected the quality of wood shaving bedding and the impact on animal health. The study was performed in one barn, containing 388 milking goats (increasing to 460 by end of the study). The goats were split into two herds, kept on either side of a barn with a central feed alley. The right side of the barn was managed as the farmer usually would: initially laying fresh wood shavings and then topping up regularly as the surface became dirty. The left side of the barn was initially laid with fresh shavings, and then every 3 days it was aerated with a rotary hoe and only topped up when it became too shallow to aerate.
The purpose of aerating the bedding is to encourage composting to begin and reduce the moist/compact environment with high numbers of anaerobic bacteria and high levels of ammonia. It was also hoped that aerating would reduce the total amount of shavings needed in the season, thus reducing cost of new shavings and help towards reducing the problem of disposal/waste. Intermittently throughout the study the following measurements were taken: Temperature at the surface of the bedding and at a depth of 150mm (at the main sleeping area and bedding next to concrete feeding area), moisture content of the bedding at these same two points, air temperature, humidity, ammonia concentration (measure 500mm above bedding) and animal health records (lameness, mastitis, cheesy gland, johnes disease, SCC records).
The aerated side had a higher temperature at 150mm deep (indicating increased anaerobic activity), was drier and had lower ammonia concentrations than the non-aerated side. There were no significant health problems recorded on either side of the barn during the trial. The estimated saving of cost for wood shavings was $5100, although a tractor and rotary hoe had to be purchased so it would take a couple of years to offset this. This pilot study showed some promising results and concluded that a larger scale study would be worthwhile to fully assess the benefits. Reference: Chesterton, N. Management of bedding on housed dairy goat farms: a pilot study.Vetscript, Vol. 32, Issue 7, pp 48-51, Aug 2019


The biggest challenge when gardening on the East Coast is making sure your plant friends can withstand everything from humid summers, to hard freezes, to late frosts. This is not a climate where tropical plants, cacti, or succulents grow with abandon.
Forget Pinterest pages that feature gardens that are “hands-off” or plants that “survive anything.” Gardening on the East Coast requires a gardener who is willing to patiently observe their own microclimate, select plants that will flourish in that environment, and be willing to make changes as necessary.
The good news? None of this is tough to do! There is a simple parameter that will allow you to decode your garden spot: Its climate zone.
There are five main climate types: tropical, dry, temperate, continental, and polar. On the East Coast, most areas will have a continental climate. A continental climate is one with summers that are not excessively hot — warm temperatures are the norm — and cold winters may cause the ground to freeze for months at a time.
Now that you understand your climate, you are ready to consult the USDA’s Plant Hardiness Climate Zone Map. The 2012 map is its most current version and is the standard by which gardeners and growers determine which plants are most likely to thrive in a given location. The map is based on the average annual minimum winter temperature, divided into 10-degree Fahrenheit zones.
You can check your exact climate type using the handy zip code look-up tool on the USDA’s website. For example, New York State ranges from Zone 7b in Manhattan to 6a around the Finger Lakes. Its northern interior even dips as low as 3b, where the average minimum winter temperature is between -35℉ to 30℉.
That means that folks in the state’s coldest regions are advised to plant cold-tolerant perennials like hollyhocks and lupins. In contrast, gardeners in the rest of the state can choose from among a wide variety of gardening standards like echinacea, rudbeckia, phlox, daylilies, and even sedum (flowering plants that look like succulents).
Most mail-order plant catalogs indicate the appropriate USDA zones for their plants. Local garden centers are quite helpful, too: A well-curated center will typically carry the best types of plants for their specific zone.
Your Garden is Unique
Now, this advice does come with some caveats.
Individual gardening spaces may differ from the general zone due to soil type, available drainage, heat, humidity, wind, the degree of tilt from the sun, among other factors. For city dwellers, reflected light from asphalt and mirrored buildings could increase the climate zone number. An excessively shady spot, or one located on a hillside, can cause the climate zone number to decrease.
Most of the USA has become a half zone (5 °F) hotter in winter compared to the map’s 1990 release. Current Research suggests that USDA plant hardiness zones will shift even further northward under climate change.
All this means is that you will want to become familiar with the composition of your gardening space. Observe areas that receive more moisture, sunlight, or wind, and jot them down in a notebook. Then, select plants that are likely to do well in those conditions.
Keeping a gardening journal is helpful to record your observations and make adjustments as needed. You’ll soon get to know your garden’s unique aspects and what it takes to make you and your plants happy year after year!
Once you mastered your garden’s Hardiness Zone, it’s time to step it up a notch. Make sure you are not planting an invasive plant species. Better yet, we strongly recommend going native. There are plenty of native flowers that will work beautifully in your garden. Designing a native garden is an amazing way to save our native ecology.


Agritech, or agtech, is a term covering the various ways that modern technology is changing the world of farming and food processing – from drones and data analytics to hydroponics and cultured meat.
Findex, an Australian provider of financial advisory and accounting services, has partnered with the Australian Agritech Association as “agrictech” continues to expand.
While still a young sector, agritech’s growth potential on a national and international level should not be underestimated and value should be placed on a better understanding of the existing impact of the agritech ecosystem, Findex said in a statement yesterday.
Agrictech, short for agricultural technology, is a field in which technology is used to produce more food with fewer resources and make farming more efficient. (Arguably this is nothing new – the use of farm machinery, for example, goes back to the invention of the plough, tractor and reaper-binder harvester.)
With the pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine disrupting global food supplies, there is heightened awareness that agriculture needs more capital investment – in new techniques for instance. (See an article here.)
“Findex has a long history of supporting innovation in the tech and startup sectors. In 2016 we founded Australian AgTech accelerator, SproutX, to support agritech startups through accelerator and pre-accelerator programmes. Since then, SproutX has helped agritech startups generate over $17 million in revenue and raise more than $15 million in venture capital,” Chris Carey, chief growth officer for Findex, said.
Agritech covers areas using technologies that produce food in different ways using new methods, such as hydroponics, algae hydroponics, seawater farming and desert farming. There are technologies that convey food produce to consumers and make processes more efficient, such as genetic modification, cultured meats and urban faming, while increasing efficiencies in the food chain. New technologies used in various sectors can also influence farming and food processes, such as drones, data analytics and AI.


HelloFresh is committed to looking after our earth. After all, it produces all those delicious fresh ingredients in your boxes!
We reduce food wastage by sourcing seasonal food from local suppliers whenever possible and by pre-portioning ingredients for our recipes. This cuts out steps in the grocery supply chain and reduces food waste from farm to box! From our ethically raised meat to our farm-fresh produce, HelloFresh strives to incorporate earth-friendly and green initiatives into our business practices.
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Factors that Affect the Productivity of Palm Oil Plantations Self-Help Patterns in Jambi Province
This study aims to analyze factors that affect the productivity of oil palm plantations in Jambi Province. This research was conducted in sentra palm oil production in Merangin Regency with the research locus of South Veil Subdistrict selected purposive. The data used consists of Primary Data that includes social factors, economic factors, behavior of the use of production inputs and productivity of oil palm plantations.. The sample size is 80 farmers. Sample withdrawal by Simple Random Sampling method Restoration of structural models factors that affect the productivity of oil palm plantations is used sem Partial Least Squaremodel. The results showed that social factors, economic factors and institutional access factors were in the moderate category. The productivity of oil palm plantations is relatively low. Manifest social factors, which have a very real effect is the age of farmers. Manifest market access and product prices have a very real effect on economic factors. Manifest access to fertilizer procurement and fertilizer prices has a very real effect on the behavior of the use of production inputs and moderation variables that have a significant effect on the productivity of oil palm plantations. Policies that need to be done to improve. Is the strengthening of economic factors in the field of product prices and market access, and upay6a strengthening the behavior of farmers in the use of production inputs, especially fertilizers by providing subsidy incentives.