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Sustained fertility of the land seems to be the case. When nature is left all by itself, all kinds of shrubs and trees grow with a seemingly chaotic manner and we come to know that fertility of the land actually increases as time goes on. But when we clear that area and start farming on it, it seems as if our actions are constantly depleting the fertility and we have to put efforts to replenish it from outside sources - organic or inorganic.
In a natural environment, all the dead organic matter, in the form of dead leaves, branches, the whole plant itself falls on the surface of the soil while the next succession of plants are growing. This layer of organic matter acts as an buffer which protects the soil from erosion from wind and rain. Also, the dark organic layer is a good habitat for all sorts of life including insects, worms, fungi, and bacteria. The roots of the dead plants help feed the critters living inside the soil as they decompose. This makes the soil structure extremely porous and fertile and helps the next succession of plants to grow healthily. The deep rooted shrubs and trees also help in dissolving the harder layers deep in the soil and bring the minerals to the surface.
One could say all these interconnected processes are actually mining the earth while somehow mysteriously making it more richer at the same time. The trees really are great in this regard. These interconnected processes really seem to be working together in harmony which our limited intellect can never grasp. All one can do is appreciate the beauty and mystery of it.
In farming scenario, if all the agricultural residue - in form of dead plant matter and also other forms are returned to the field after harvest, and it is ensured that no_till
is practiced, then there is a real possibility of sustaining (and even increasing) the fertility of the land.


Read Time: 2 Minutes.
February Gardening Maintenance Tips!
In this blog we look at the following:
- Install a nest box
- Check fleece or other insulations
- Improve your soil before the new season begins
- Clear away old plant debris from pond margins
- Clean and service your lawn mower
- Pruning and planning planting
As the winter chill fades away, it’s time to start thinking about getting your garden ready for the warmer months. February is the perfect month to start preparing your garden for the spring season ahead. With a few simple tips, you can ensure that your garden is in tip-top shape for the months of March and April. From pruning and planning planting for the year ahead, these February gardening tips will help you get your garden ready.
Install a Nest Box
A nest box is an excellent way to observe birds in your garden as they raise their broods in spring. Installing a nest box with a camera will allow you to monitor the birds without disturbing them.
Before installing a nest box, make sure to clear away any old plant debris that may be near the box. This will create a clean and inviting environment for the birds. To mount the box, use galvanized screws, nails or wood screws. Place the box in an area of your garden where it will be sheltered from the wind and rain. You should also ensure that there are nearby trees or shrubs for the birds to use as perching places. Once your nest box is installed, you can then enjoy watching the birds as they come and go!
Check Fleece or Other Insulations
It’s a good idea to check that any insulation, such as fleece or bubble wrap, is still in place around pots and borderline-tender plants. Plan ahead and clear away any debris which may be obstructing access or providing shelter to pests. Ensure that fleece is securely fixed in place and covering the plant fully. If you notice any wear and tear, replace it immediately.
Improve Your Soil Before the New Season Begins
It is important to improve your soil before the new season begins. One way to do this is by spreading garden compost or well-rotted manure over beds and forking it into the soil. This will give your plants and flowers the necessary nutrients they need to flourish. To start, clear away any weeds or debris from the area where you plan to spread your garden compost. Once that is done, spread an even layer of garden compost across the area and lightly fork it into the soil. Doing this will help the soil stay loose and aerated, allowing for better water absorption and promoting healthy root growth. This will give your plants and flowers the best chance at success in the upcoming spring months.
Clear Away Old Plant Debris From Pond Margins
It is important to make sure the margins of your pond are kept clear of old plant debris and leaves. If left unchecked, these can accumulate over time and block the flow of water in your pond. This can also contribute to stagnation, which is an unhealthy environment for fish and other aquatic life. To ensure your pond remains healthy and clear of debris, it is important to clear away any old plant material from the margins of your pond.
Clean and Service Your Lawn Mower
It’s important to clean and service your lawn mower. This is so that they are in good order for the upcoming spring months. Start by clearing away any grass or debris that may have collected on the blade. Then, sharpen the blade to ensure a cleaner cut of your lawn. If your lawn mowe has an air filter, check that it’s clear and replace it if necessary. You should also check the oil level and top up as needed.
Pruning and Planning Ahead
One of the most important tasks to do in your garden during the month of February is pruning and planting. Pruning is a great way to give your plants the space they need to grow, allowing them to get more sunlight and nutrients. For evergreen trees and shrubs, make sure you only prune when necessary and take off no more than a third of the foliage. This will help them to recover quickly and create a strong, healthy structure.
When it comes to planting, now is the time to start planning about what you would like to add to your garden. Think about color, texture and height when deciding what plants to buy for your garden.
By following these simple steps, you can ensure that your garden is ready for spring!
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I love plants. I grew up with many plants, and once I stopped moving around every three months, I was like hey, I can buy plants! That’s an adult thing I can do! Woohoo!
I also love traveling. What to do? Why, find a solution, of course!
Now, I should say, this is a short-term solution for trips up to two weeks. Maybe three. It is not a solution for a three-month, let’s gallivant around Europe with the pup trip. I had to sell my plants for that one.
Yes, you can keep all your plants alive and happy while you’re gone and even come home to new growth!
First: The Heavy Drinkers
Get yourself some terra cotta plant watering stakes. They are basically sheaths for a wine bottle. You get them wet, stick them in the soil, soak the soil, fill up the wine bottle, and upend it in the stake. Easy peasy and your plant will be watered up to three weeks, depending on the season and your plant’s needs. As the plant gets thirsty, the roots will suck at the soil and will slowly suck the water out of the bottle. It’s basically one of those hamster water bottles, but for plants. The best part is that if you use them when you’re at home, you can watch the plants drink! It’ll gurgle every so often as the plant drinks. 😀
These are good for big plants that you don’t want to move and that need a lot of sunlight.
My plant examples: Monstera, Midnight Ginger, Elephant Ear, Blue Medusa Rush (pictured)
Second: Low-light Medium Drinkers
For your medium-needy drinkers, right before you go, put them all in the bathub in a room with a window (leave the bath curtain open). Give them a nice drink and leave a container of water in the tub. Clustered together (and with the container of water), they will create a little humid zone, keeping them all wetter than if they were apart.
The diffused light (from the privacy glass) of the window will give them some light, but less than they normally get, so they won’t get as dried out.
This option is good for medium to low-light plants, i.e. those that normally sit in rooms with east or north-facing windows.
My plant examples: Parlor Palm, Monstera adansonii, Purple Oxalis, Arrowhead Plant, Tricolor Dracena, Snake Plant, Heart Leaf Philodendron, Golden Pothos, Wandering Jew, Ginger Plant
For plants like succulents that love sun and don’t need much water, just give them a good long drink. They’ll be fine!
For those finicky plants that like humidity, they won’t die without it, but it’s nice to give them something. I do this by putting a few bowls of water around the base of these plants so it evaporates up into the leaves. If they need anything more, you’ll have to look into an automated system. Which is likely expensive.
These guys are gonna get blasted during the summer.
And that’s it! Make sure to test your systems a week or two before your trip to make sure everything works okay and you can travel free of worries. Mine even gave me some new growth!


Alapros selected for Uzbekistan’s largest flour mill project
Image credit: Alapros
Alapros Grain Milling Technology has recently signed a contract to establish two projects, 600 TPD and 400 TPD for Beshear Biznes LLC. Beshear Biznes LLC owns 35 percent of the flour trade in Uzbekistan, and after the completion of these new plants will double Uzbbekistan's production capacity.
Alapros signed the agreement during at the IDMA exhibition 2019 in Istanbul. Member of the board, Mehmet Alapala commented, 'we will establish the facility with daily capacity total 1000 TPD in Tashkent for Uzbekistan's top flour industrialist Beshefar Biznes LLC. 'The plants will be commissioned shortly before end of the year'.
Bekzod Makhmadaminov, General Director of Beshear Biznes LLC commented, 'We preferred Alapros because we care about the quality of the project and we are looking for a reliable solution partner which can offer the most modern and newest technology'.
Visit the Alapros Grain Milling Technology website, HERE.


As consumers, we don’t always know where our food sources come from, or what helps supply it. As of late, the plight of the honeybee has lead to an influx of interest in what is happening in the bee world. To cut to through all the misinformation and see how the honeybees are tied into the city scene, I talked to Brent Wesley a local honeybee farmer in Akron, Ohio, looking for answers on how we have a large impact on the honeybee population, and how the honeybees themselves affect urban growth.
The honeybee is not something we commonly associate with our food, but rather a pesky insect often mistaken for a wasp, hornet, or yellow jacket. The honeybee is non-threatening, and although swatting them away may seem innocent, it puts their entire colony at risk. There are many other factors that can cause colony collapse, including the destruction of strong pollinators, and the production of chemical compounds. To help ensure the survival of the honeybees, planting trees and flowers can help the bees pollinate, thus allowing them to bring food back to their hives to initiate honey production. Depending on the trees and plants bees pollinate from, it affects the flavor of the honey. For instance, harvesting honey on the east side of town, may taste entirely different than the honey harvest on the west side of town, and it has nothing to do the bees themselves, but rather the greenery of the neighborhood.
Farmers consider bees their flagship pollinators, in order to produce sustainable agriculture. Without their pollination, many fruits and vegetables would not survive. Pumpkins, oranges, cherries, among others are simply dependent on honeybee pollination. Pesticides are often used by non-organic farmers, which help keep insects away from crops. By purchasing and using these products, the bee community not only suffers but the health of our bodies becomes at risk as well. Pesticides are usually sprayed onto crops, which then become pollinated by the bees. As a result, the chemicals compromise the honey, often killing the hive entirely. By boycotting these pesticide companies, we disrupt the economy (if the boycott has any effect at all). Even the wind can blow these chemicals onto the crops. A simple solution would be finding less harmful ways of ridding insects without destroying our environment, and our food source. The honeybees supply our food source, and if there is colony collapse, what about human collapse without food? Surely we could continue to ingest chemical composed foods, but it’s not worth the risk of our health. Unfortunately, practical solutions are not always so simply.
Most honey in major grocery stores is non-local, and non-organic. Often times, honey that is mass-produced is heated to a high temperature, thus removing all of the nutritional ingredients that make honey beneficial to our bodies. It’s also been suggested that eating local honey can help reduce allergies. Consider that bees pollinate locally, and the plants that they frequent get molded into the fabric of the honey. In addition, studies show that honey isn’t just a sweetener, but it may also aid depression and it a great source for reducing soreness of your throat and vocal chords.
Wesley has created a local apiary in Akron’s Highland Square neighborhood, where many community members have become curious as to what’s behind the closed gates. Most residents are just excited to see a new development happening. Wesley has plans for future endeavors, including opening new bee yards, purchasing local real estate, and looking to create a partnership with a local restaurant, helping to sustain the Akron economy. Wesley has also considered creating honey by products such as soaps and lip balms, which he plans to sell at a community block party in front of the apiary. His mantra is not that different from that of the hive: “Weave yourself into the fabric of the community”. His plans for the apiary have included teaching locals about the nature and science of the honeybee. Wesley values education, and is in talks with Akron Public Schools to teach seminars on the honeybees and the nature of their obedience, and selflessness.
The order of nature states that a queen bee rules the hive, while there are two classes of bees, drones (boys) and workers (girls). The bees know that they’re going to die, but work until they can no longer for the greater good of the hive. They often forgo their own life for their hive.
Raising honeybees serve their own purpose. They are able to sustain themselves in an environment, which they thrive. The fact that bees pollinate most fruits, vegetables, plants, and trees, help to sustain an agricultural economy and provide curb appeal for neighborhoods that have plenty of organics. Beyond aesthetics, honey provides attractiveness to certain people. By building a bee yard in a defunct neighborhood, Wesley has created a community, and inspired others to create further growth and potential. Akron Honey Company is looking to give Akronites something to be proud of, something to call their own, and a reason to brag. Wesley is hoping his hard work ethic will initiate others into pursing a sustainable local economy. Local merchants and mom and pop shops are vitally important into shaping a neighborhood for revitalization.
In the scope of America, the bee industry is not as prevalent as it is in urban areas. In Mentor Ohio, Urban Honeybee founder, Laura Urban, raises queen bees and sells bee-keeping equipment. Mueller Honeybee Removal safely removes swarms and hives. If ever removing a hive on your own accord, it could destroy the hive if not removed properly. Urban farmers and beekeepers alike work together as team and not in competition. For Akron Honey Company, it’s about the honeybees and the people in tandem, it’s about togetherness. Wesley says “a hive isn’t going to fail because of the bees” it’s a responsibility of the community to keep bee friendly plants, especially those considered weeds, like dandelions. Without having your yard look like Desperate Housewives, it’s important to not take away their food from lawns. Let the flowers grow, keep up with the Joneses and admire the esthetics.
So what does it take to raising bees on your own? Patience. One cannot be greedy when it comes to honey production. Bees create honey for themselves, not for others. Bees eat their honey in the winter. When pulling honey from the hives, we’re taking it away from them, which force them to work harder, but taking too much honey, can kill the hive. Akron Honey Company is considered commercial beekeeping, for their interests in profits, and efficiency. The company only pulls from the hives once a year (mid summer); this provides lots of honey and contains three different seasons.
Wesley remarks, “If the business fails, there’s honey for life”.


Siankaba News – August Update
Islands of Siankaba now has new amenities in all its rooms. Made on a farm in Zambia, the SKIN Range is all hand made with products based on organic and/or natural oils, butters and waxes with preservatives kept to an absolute minimum. We are also stocking a range of their products in our gift shop.
There was great excitement on a recent sunset cruise at Islands of Siankaba when Brighton the boatman heard baboon calls so they went closer to the banks of the River and saw a big male leopard on the bank. Sadly no photos to tell the tale!
At the Siankaba Nursery School we are starting a vegetable garden for the children so that they can learn about agriculture as well as grow food for their school lunch.


Passionate about our local region & the people within it
We are passionate about our local region, the people within it and the wonderful produce that is crafted
in Gippsland. As chef’s ourselves we understand the importance of fresh, high quality produce and that’s why we are proud to have built trusting relationships with all our wonderful producers, ensuring everyone shares our paddock to plate philosophy to achieve
the best possible product.
Supporting local farmers and growers, we constantly add to our vast range of regional produce and have put together a selection of some of our excellent local Gippsland producers.


When Deb and I moved into our first home last year, we knew we wanted to start our very own garden. We both have fathers with very green thumbs, so we were eager to see if we inherited that gene. We are patently amateurs and still have tons to learn, but we enjoy discovering new things and hope to share with you as we go along.
But are there economic benefits to gardening? If we look only at the amount of the grocery budget that can be offset from the food we harvest, it would be tough to say that a small-scale home garden is the cheaper way to eat once all the costs are factored in. However, I think that gardening can DEFINITELY help to save the crumbs when we step back to look at the bigger picture.
3 Ways Gardening Pays
- Healthy Living – Instead of working more so to afford healthier organic foods, health supplements, and gym membership, gardening can get you the benefits of all these for a lot less. Gardeners get sunshine, fresh air, and exercise which contributes to getting better rest at night while they grow their own nutritious organic food—all in one fell swoop! That nails nearly every one of the 8 laws of healthy living Deb outlined in a previous post! Not to mention, it’s a great way to unwind, de-stress, and get up close and personal with the beneficial microbes found in the soil.
- Reduces Waste – We compost our organic waste, and because of that we generate so little trash that we have no need for garbage pickup service. (This service isn’t included at our place because we don’t live within city limits, so we would need to pay extra if we want it.) Our weekly trash haul usually consists of a single plastic grocery bag that can be pitched when we stop at the gas station. The compost then becomes fertilizer for our garden. Less waste means more crumbs in my pocket.
- Stuff to Give Away – If you’ve ever gardened, you understand when I say that a garden inevitably causes you to be real generous. We smile knowingly whenever our friends offer us zucchini in the summer because we know they’ve got it coming out of their ears. We made friends with all our neighbors this last summer as we gave away our own excess cucumbers too. If you plan ahead, canned foods (pickles, apple sauce, peaches, pears, tomatoes, etc.) can also make great gifts during the holiday season.
But What About the Groceries?
These reasons are nice and all, but can the garden actually help with our grocery budget–especially a small scale one? I think it can as long as we apply some strategy in determining what to plant. Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Plant things that are expensive to buy. – Potatoes on sale at Aldi can be as cheap as $1.49 for 10 lbs. It’ll be really hard for me as a home gardener to beat that price growing it myself. However, herbs often cost several dollars PER OUNCE, but can easily be grown at home. We discovered that basil grows extraordinarily well where we live, and yet it’s super expensive to buy. So needless to say, we eat a lot of pesto! (Check out Deb’s easy pesto recipe here.) Do a little homework to determine what expensive vegetables, herbs, or fruits can be grown in your area for maximum savings.
- Plant things that are hard to find. – Coming from a Chinese family, there are all sorts of exotic vegetables that we simply can’t find in the traditional supermarkets. Asian markets are far away and may not always carry what we want, so what to do? Grow them ourselves! This doesn’t just apply to special vegetables with names we can’t pronounce, but can also apply to unique, hard-to-find varieties of vegetables out there. (Heirloom tomatoes, anyone?)
- Plant things that no one else is growing. – If any of your family are growing cucumbers, DON’T GROW CUCUMBERS. If any of your friends are growing tomatoes, DON’T GROW TOMATOES. If your worst enemy is growing zucchini, DON’T GROW ZUCCHINI. All of them will have so much, they will probably be leaving them at your doorstep at midnight to make sure you don’t refuse. Grow stuff that others aren’t growing, so the bartering system can work to your advantage.
- Plant things that you would actually eat. – Sometime ago my dad grew a loquat tree in our backyard and it became absolutely LOADED with fruit. Only one problem. None of us liked loquat! So we ended up with loads of rotting fruit even as my dad force-fed himself loquat everyday. I think you get the principle this story illustrates, but just don’t use this as excuse to not grow ANY vegetables!
- Plant things that serve multiple purposes. – Deb shared the story of our sweet potato experiment last year, and even though sweet potatoes aren’t super expensive to buy in the store, we got a lot more benefit out of actually growing the plant than simply buying the tubers. It acted as a ground cover that prevented erosion and controlled weeds at the same time, it produced edible leaves as a yummy summer green, and in the end the sweet potatoes themselves almost seemed like a bonus.
- Plant things that can be preserved. – I can be gorging on watermelon until I’m sick in the summer but then be craving it during winter. Often I wish that I could just save the surplus for later. Not everything can be easily preserved for future use, so growing with that in mind can help save during the lean months. Think canning, pickling, freezing, and root cellaring.
- Plant things that don’t require a lot of work. – One of the inescapable facts of gardening is that it takes work. Food doesn’t grow by itself. So for the recreational gardener like us who aren’t market farmers, we need to balance the time required with the intended results. I learned the hard way this past summer that some plants take a whole lot more attention than others to thrive. (Let’s just say that my Brussels Sprouts fed a whole generation of cabbage moths.) Consider your lifestyle and plant things that can fit within the time that you’re able to devote to it. The worst feeling in the world is to spend lots of time starting a garden only to have it turn into a jungle because we bit off more than we can chew.
Here’s a picture of me and part of my spring garden last year…before the arrival of the cabbage moths…
Time to Get Started?
It might seem strange that I have gardening on my mind now that it’s December. Even though the growing season for us is over, this actually is best time for us to start preparing for next year. I’ll share a little bit why in our next post.
But before that, I’m curious to hear YOUR thoughts on gardening. What have you tried growing before? Why did you choose that? How has gardening affected your grocery bill? Please share with us in the comments below!


Professor Premananda Das, since his childhood, became interested in nature studies, a remote village in Kendrapara district of Odisha where he was born, provided the natural settings and the background to create interest in him for love of nature. Later, he studied Agriculture and horticulture to continue his interest in plants. He subsequently served in various positions in government, industries and universities to further knowledge, on plants and the environment and share experiences on natural resources conservation and use.
>> Read More
Conservation and Management of Natural Resources for sustainable livelihoods in rural and tribal areas through scientific and innovative technological interventions.
Create awareness for conservation and management of natural resources through workshops, trainings, lectures, circulation of scientific and popular literature on sustainable livelihoods.
Empower the Tribal and Rural Youth including Women through training for livelihoods enhancement.
Promote greening of barren hills, wastelands, abandoned mined areas, fly-ash and mine waste dumps with native trees, shrubs and grasses.
Popularize appropriate soil, water conservation technologies to help in ecological restoration.
Promote mass cloning of authentic quality planting stock for resource generation to aid in large scale programs.
Promote agriculture, horticulture and allied activities including organic farming to enhance production and value addition, marketing for nutritional economic security.
Cooperate and collaborate with other organizations in the state as well as National and International institutions to promote the cause of conservation of natural resources for sustainable use.
Natural resources conservation and management issues, more so, conservation of diverse plant genetic resources in the fragile tropical ecosystems, have attracted attention of nature enthusiasts in recent times. Ex-situ conservation in botanic gardens and in situ conservation have been accepted as more reliable alternative strategies to protect plant communities, soils and the precious water resources. Protection of forests alone may serve the very basis of conservation of native flora and other natural resources to help guard against the ill effects of climate change and the processes of desertification.


|Posted on December 3, 2009 at 9:31 PM|
The Burdock root can grow to 3 feet (1 meter) long.
Burdock tastes like a cross between a potato and an artichoke. It is particularly enjoyed for its crunchy texture. Burdock has a naturally brown color like a potato and the good earthy flavor is all in the skin, so don't shave or peel the skin all off. Gently scrub to remove the dirt and hairy roots.
These Burdock roots, GOBO, in the picture measure nearly 3 feet long. How can they grow so long? And for me the frequently raised question is how do I get these home from the market? It's always a challenge with the longer ones. You can buy water packed, peeled and shaven burdock but the flavor is inferior to fresh burdock, and contain additives, so I don't recommend them. When I get home, I cut the Burdock root in half, wrap it in a wet day old newspaper (Not the FOOD section!) and plastic to keep them fresh in the fridge. When Burdock roots are old, they get pulpy, shriveled, and tough. Make sure you find one that feels thick, firm and flexible. The fresher they are, the crispier the texture. You can eat them raw when they are very very fresh. Burdock improves digestion and is full of fiber.


Elliott's Free Range Eggs
The Elliotts have strived to make the journey from field to fork as brief as possible. The whole journey from planting the wheat, harvesting it, milling it, feeding it to the hens, collecting the eggs and packing them is all done on site meaning a pretty impressive carbon footprint.
Being only 3 miles from our doorstep, these eggs are as close to us as we could possibly get!
For further information on the welfare of these eggs, please visit Elliott's website


Agriculture is one of the most significant frontiers for conservation around the world because of its strong interconnections to the global economy, human societies, and biodiversity. We at A2Z Market Research are specialized in mapping the growth of the agricultural sector our analysts are tracking the most recent mergers, acquisitions, and business strategic developments. We provide a detailed outlook of hard-to-find market insights, trends, and forecasts, help in finding new market prospects and market sizing, as well as identifying and evaluating major market drivers, restraints, and strategies, which are among our report's specialties. There has been a constant evolution in seeds, agrochemicals, and fertilizers and Agri products to fulfil the constantly growing global demand. Our analysts are constantly tracking the developments in soil cultivation, natural resource management, homeland security, plant health, crop production and feeding, livestock breeding and raising, farming, animal husbandry, animal health, biotechnology, energy, food safety, and rural and community.


Agriculture Museum and Science Center
An agriculture museum inaugurated at Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya (IGKV) and it is touted as the first of its kind in any agriculture university in the country.
Set up at a cost of Rs 4.92 crore, the museum aims to provide information about special agricultural techniques, agriculture-related problems and their solution, villagers’ lifestyles. It also displays the agriculture and tribal culture of Chhattisgarh. Modern techniques of farming are displayed in an interactive manner.


The Coordinator of natnudO Foods’ broiler out-grower scheme tagged, “natnuPreneur”, Mr. Gbolade Adewole, has said that farmers registered under the six-seven week broiler production scheme, have consistently enjoyed between 7.5 per cent and 15 per cent profit on investment per cycle.
With a potential to conclude five cycles per year, efficient farmers stand to make between 37.5 per cent and 75 per cent profit per annum, making natnuPreneur “broiler out-grower” the most profitable poultry scheme in the country.
Adewole hinted that between October 2014 and July 2017, poultry farmers registered under the three year ‘pilot phase’ have reared over four million birds and the firm has off-taken birds valued at over N4 billion.
According to him, the natnuPreneur initiative is not only in the business of providing a ready market for broiler farmers, but also in ensuring that they are consistently in business and that they make profits that can be sustained over time.
He added: “We treat our farmers’ farms as our own and invest a lot of time in ensuring their poultry businesses are run with global best practices as we run and manage ours, because we believe that our success is closely tied to the success of our farmers. Our vision is to create passionate, knowledgeable and wealthy poultry farmers nationwide through sustained profitability.
“It is not enough to help farmers achieve profitability after just one cycle. We have heard of many out-grower schemes in the past where farmers make millions but couldn’t retain that afterwards. What we are most concerned about is that the profit our farmers make increases and is sustained. In other words, we make and retain broiler millionaires through frequent training on poultry management processes and continuous monitoring/supervision of farm activities,” he said.


It takes less than 30 seconds to sign the SoCal Water Alliance letter to your congressman. Sign now!
Most people are unaware our food source & economy are in such extreme danger. Help spread the word!
Learn about the California water crisis and how it affects everyone in the United States.
California is one of the top suppliers of food in the world. See which foods here!
Foods Grown Almost Solely in California
California grows over 400 commodities & is the 5th largest supplier of food to the world.
It leads our nation in production of at least 75 commodities.
It is also the sole producer of 12 commodities including almonds, artichokes, dates, figs, olives and walnuts.


Mee Blueberries began life on a family farm in the Nene Valley. After diversifying from their traditional arable farming to include the growing and harvesting of blueberries they are now suppliers of the fruit to leading supermarkets.
As with all fresh produce there is always a glut of produce which does not make the grade and this tends to be the ripest fruit with the best taste. An idea was formed, and Mee Blueberries came to fruition, producing quality products such as jams, chutneys and liqueurs.
We were approached by the client to create a website which would showcase their products effectively in a visually appealing way, whilst also promoting the family and sustainability elements of their business.
We created an eCommerce website using a product appropriate colourway throughout. The site was built using the WordPress/WooCommerce platform applying Echo’s own lightweight theme. The website utilises key features such as a product page with custom fields for adding ingredients and tasting notes in readiness for their upcoming wine products.
The result is a clean, informative website which is extremely user friendly. It is optimised for SEO purposes with great performance across all devices.
Events, Venues & Entertainment, Retail & eCommerce
Websites, WooCommerce, WordPress


Scientists in China have developed the world’s first myostatin gene (MSTN) edited Chinese Hu sheep, with the hope that the technology will boost mutton output and quality for the national industry.
Researchers at the Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences have succeeded in breeding five local Hu sheep (湖羊) by editing the MSTN gene, the institution said in a press release.
The MSTN gene provides instructions for making a protein called myostatin, which inhibits the growth and development of muscles.
When myostatin gene undergoes natural mutation, it results in accelerated lean muscle growth. An example of this phenomenon is the Belgian Blue, a breed of beef cattle from Belgium with extremely lean, hyper-sculpted, ultra-muscular physique following the genetic myostatin mutation.
Scientists at the institution employed this naturally occurring mutation in their research and used CRISPR/Cas9 — a new gene-editing technology — to modify the myostatin gene. The editing efficiency turned out to be more than 80%, according to Cao Shaoxian, the lead scientist of the project.
Growth rates of two out of five sheep were significantly higher, with their weights at two months 25% larger than that of their counterparts bred naturally, the Science and Technology Daily reported on Thursday.
The Hu sheep is one of the most distinctive local sheep breeds in China with origins in Mongolia, and is commonly recognized for its thick lambskins. The breed is best known for having high reproductive rates, large litters and being very adaptive to hot and humid climates.
Agricultural experts say the newly-developed technology can help establish optimal breeding programs and reduce the country’s dependence on imports.
Wang Zuli, a deputy researcher at the Institute of Agricultural Economics and Development at the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, told Global Times that the gene-editing technology could be a way to improve the production of mutton and the percentage of lean meat, provided that there is no major difference between the gene-edited sheep and foreign breeds.
The technology can also reduce the country’s reliance on foreign livestock imports, he added.
In 2019, Chinese consumption of mutton hit 5.27 million tons, higher than the domestic mutton yield of 4.88 million tons, intensifying efforts to boost production. Mutton from Australia and New Zealand accounted for 97.6% of the country’s imports in the same year, according to the Global Times.
Per capita consumption of sheep meat is much higher in China than in other some major markets, including the United States: 3.5 vs. < 0.5 kg (1 kg = 2.2. lbs.). The Chinese do not seem to differentiate between lamb and mutton.


Letter by young boy helps New London officer heal
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Enjoyed a visit to a farmer’s market the other day and snapped some photos while I was there…thought I’d share a few of them here in case you’re looking for some fall flair for your computer desktop 🙂
Click on the thumbnails to enlarge the photos.
If you worry about the weather and don’t plant seeds, you won’t harvest a crop.
Anyone else see the wisdom in this?
Makes sense…if a farmer spent all spring wondering if the summer was going to be too dry, or too wet, or whatever and never bothered to get anything in the ground he wouldn’t have much to do come fall because there wouldn’t be anything there to harvest.
Same with the things we spend time worrying about. I have them, you have them, we all have them. But, are we spending too much time focusing on those worries that we’re not being productive with the lives we’ve been given to live? Are we not investing in our faith because we’re unsure about a certain outcome to something we’re facing instead?
I’m taking this one with me today, it really turned on a light bulb for me. Hope it’s helpful to you too. Stop worrying…plant some seeds instead.
Have a great day.


Agricultural Research Digest is a peer reviewed scientific journal which publishes original research related to agriculture. It publishes peer reviewed manuscripts in the areas of Biotechnology, Biomedical Research, Nutrition, Agriculture, and Environmental Science. This is one of the oldest and largest agricultural research journals in the world.
The journal is published by Oxford University Press and is continually under review. It is indexed by the AP Cortical Science Service and is accessible worldwide. It aims at publishing research from all over the world so as to contribute towards building of a global food information system. The global agricultural information system makes it possible to predict the supply and demand of agricultural products. With the help of such information, farmers are able to make timely decisions regarding the yield of crops, availability of food and other resources.
Agriculture is one of the most important components of modern society. It is responsible for meeting the rising food demand and promotes economic growth. It directly and indirectly supports political and social development. It plays a significant role in creating the standard of living for the rural population and increases the living standard of urban individuals. There is substantial scope for expanding the agriculture base in the developing world.


An ergonomically designed handle is used to perfect spray distribution and to ease the spraying process. The spraying distance is 30 to 50mm.
Compact size and
Equipped with vacuum benches and rollers
to adjust the height and to ease the movement of spraying machines.
The spraying gun with handle is included and spraying distance is 30 to 50mm.
Space saving storage of flexible spraying system
Equipped with a powerful silent aspiration motor and an ergonomic spray gun handle.
This small size model is designed to operate
horizontal and vertical spraying on the working bench. With spraying gun handle attached, spraying distance is 30 to 50mm.
Equipped with a vacuum benches and rollers.
Including silent aspiration motor with a small spraying gun without handle.
Suitable for a large area bonding.
Spraying distance is 3-50mm.
Equipped with vacuum benches and rollers to adjust the height.
Silent aspiration motor is facilitated with spraying gun with no handles.Working bench is larger than I788model and is suitable for large area bonding. Spraying distance is 30 to 50mm.
and working space
Equipped with an extra large vacuum bench with rollers and two silent aspiration motors with a large spraying gun with no handles to support spraying a large area.
The spraying distance is 15 to 200mm.
Essential storage space
Including 12 detachable benches with adhesive spraying machine to minimize the waste time of placing and removing the leather sheet. The key point is to store a large amount of materials waiting to be dried and save storage space.


Looking for Reliable Suppliers of Organic Food
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- Each member of the group is a verified producer/exporter of organic food, organic vegetables, organic fruits, organic spices etc- registered with Directorate General Foreign Trade (DGFT), India.
- Post your enquiry here and your message will reach concerend producers and exporters of organic food , organic vegetables, organic fruits and organic spices - who in turn will contact you directly with their offers. You deal directly with actual sellers.
- All transactions are direct between buyers and actual sellers, ensuring lowest transaction cost and time. No middleman is involved anywhere in the chain.
- Sponsored by infobanc.com - leading b2b portal for Indian producers and exporters - organicfood-market.com is always ready to help you with market and product information, buyers, sellers, opportunities at India and abroad, news, related organizations etc. Please feel free to contact us for any help/assistance you may need anytime.
Organic fruit cultivation in India is a prominent business sector for exporting merchandise and shipping and thus earning a good amount of international revenue for India. Since its independence India has been trying keep pace with the dazzling prospects of exporting commercial business.
The word, Organic farming, was first introduced by Lord Northbourne. The term is used in his book, Look to The Land, in which he had put forth suggestions for a wholesome approach to ecologically- balanced farming.
However the practice of organic farming has been prevalent from the time agriculture was first conceived. It was with the advent of the green revolution that the natural way of growing crops started becoming unpopular and economically less feasible. More crop yields meant higher profits to the farmer and better utilization of the land. At times when only one crop was grown per season or year, the farmers who used fertilizers started growing two crops during the same time-period.
Organic food farming continued in small, mostly family-run, farms or kitchen gardens where people grew food for their own requirements. The produce was sold in farmer’s markets. Large scale organic farming was begun by farmers and scientists, as a mark of protest to the agricultural industrialization. Now, organic food is widely available and has become very popular, with soaring sales.


“As one of the greenest and most innovative sugar beet processors, Cosun Beet Company is very enthusiastic about the Renewable Carbon Initiative, and a firm believer of working together towards a fossil free world.”
The ambition of Cosun Beet Company is to be the greenest, most innovative and most successful sugar beet processor in the world. With some 750 employees, we are already one of the most efficient sugar producers in Europe. As well as developing, producing and selling sugar and sugar specialities, we process all parts of the sugar beet into natural ingredients for the food, energy, biobased and related industries. All components of the beet are used, nothing is wasted. Corporate sustainability is woven into our strategy for the benefit of our customers, growers and staff.
As a cooperative of sugar beet growers, Cosun Beet Company has been an active proponent of corporate social responsibility (CSR) for many years. In the primary process, sugar production, economics, social responsibility and care for the environment go hand in hand. Our customers and consumers can rest assured that our products are healthy, safe and sustainable.


The making of flavor #91, Millions of Peaches
Step 1: Obtain millions of peaches. Not the kind from a can. But the kind from local farms in New Jersey.
Fun fact: Note in the white in one of the pits of the peaches above. Well, that’s an almond! Or at least very close to it. Did you know that the pits of peaches contain an almond-like kernel inside? Neither did we til we cracked one open. The kernel is very similar to the the seed of the almond fruit (yes, almonds are the seed of the fruit of the almond tree) except it’s not as delicious - it’s bitter and full of poisonous cyanide, so be careful not to eat them!


We’ve bought some more plants for the garden, a hydrangea bush, 2 lavender bushes and a rhubarb stick!
Hubby has been working so hard outside sorting out our onions as there is a huge hole underneath the frame and Ratilda’s relatives may have moved in.
Hubby has put down traps and bait, but nothing has happened or been taken, yet there are signs that rats are present, so he’s not taking any chances.
He’s reduced the height of our onion bed by 50% and moved it, hopefully managing to save around 80% of our crop.
We haven’t got our tomato plants or beans in yet, but with the weather turning cold again, we have no idea where we are on the sowing stakes!
I had been giving him a hand when he noticed the skin on my hands has dried out and cracked, so he wasn’t taking chances on that either as regards rats pee infection (leptospirosis) even though I was wearing gloves, so he’s had to do most of it by himself.
I had a hot bath, cup of tea and supper waiting for him when he called it a day just after 7.15 tonight.
Maggie had her booster jabs in March, so she’s protected as well as she can be. There’s no way she can get to the bait or traps, or the hole under the raised bed frame, but she has been showing some interest in the fence perimeters both sides of the garden.
These pesky rodents are hard to get rid of.
It’s really weird, the tracks and evidence are there, but no bait is being taken and the traps haven’t fired.
Maybe they are playing a waiting game.
We shall see what the damage is when Hubby has completely dismantled the compost bin.
Hope you guys can eradicate the pests.


Growing & Maintenance:
Apply balanced fertilizer for roses according to package directions in spring and summer. Fertilize only until the end of July. Early spring remove all broken, crowded and dead wood. A once a year cut to about 12-18" above the ground in early spring (after the last hard frost) is also recommended for maximum performance. Check soil weekly for moisture. Water thoroughly when dry - avoid wetting leaves. Morning water is preferred. Prefers consistently moist, well-drained soil. Does not tolerate standing water. Apply 3-4" mulch around base of plant before ground freezes to protect plant in winter.
Knock Out® Rose
Rosa x 'Radrazz' (PP11836)
Plant Type: Roses
The original Knock Out® rose. Fluorescent cherry red flowers filled with light tea rose fragrance bloom from early summer until the first hard frost. Black spot resistant, drought tolerant and self-cleaning, this rose suits every garden and every lifestyle. Disease resistant, deep purplish green foliage.


The growing season is getting longer in southern New England, which can have an impact on the length and intensity of pollen counts.
CONNECTICUT, USA — Is our warming climate help increase the pollen count in southern New England?
The data suggests that’s the case.
First, the types of pollen vary during the growing season:
- Tree pollen: Peaking mid to late spring.
- Grass pollen: Peaking early to mid summer.
- Weed pollen: Peaking late summer and lasting until the first killing freeze.
Is our warming climate increasing the pollen count?
“More and more data has been published to show that with climate change, the length of the allergy season is longer,” Dr. John James, from the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, told FOX61 after naming Hartford to the list of allergy capitals for 2022.
James suggested the pollen seasons may overlap, for example, with grass peaking earlier.
RELATED: The year’s first case of Powassan virus confirmed in Connecticut
“The human caused climate change is really changing our pollen seasons,” Dr. Sandra Hong from the Cleveland Clinic said, with the data showing our longer growing season is a key factor.
“It’s lengthening the number of days that we can have pollen allergies… and in addition to it, has been increasing pollen counts. They found that it seems to be linked to increased temperatures,” Hong said.
Studies from Climate Central back that up, as the growing season in the Hartford area has increased by more than 20 days in the last five decades.
The time between the last spring freeze and the first fall freeze is getting longer.
RELATED: Is this the windiest spring in New England?
The amount of pollen released is increasing too.
Climate Central says higher carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere can stimulate plant growth, and lead to more pollen production in grasses and ragweed.
Ryan Breton is a meteorologist at FOX61 News. He can be reached at email@example.com. Follow him on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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Located just 5 miles from the heart of downtown Ashland and the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Irvine & Roberts Vineyards tasting room offers stunning views of their estate vineyards and the surrounding Southern Cascade and Siskiyou Mountain Ranges.
Irvine & Roberts is a family winery in Ashland, Oregon, where they practice sustainable farming and produce ultra-premium Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Their high altitude vineyard is adorned with distinctive soils, climate, and east facing slopes that produce wines with extraordinary balance, flavor and intensity.
They believe great wines come from great soil, so they strive to be conscientious stewards of the land, protecting their vineyard soils through practices that are certified sustainable by LIVE and Salmon Safe.
They admit to being obsessive with their grape growing practices to ensure quality in the vineyard, keeping grape yields low and production limited to ensure the optimal health of the vine; allowing them to produce exceptional Pinot Noir and Chardonnay with elegance and balance.
GET DIRECTIONS @ IrvineRobertsVineyards.com