Most African farmers depend upon their agricultural produce for their livelihoods so food security is their most important consideration along with factors that limit production of sufficient food for their families. However, adequate yields can be secured through improved crop management and food storage, and where surpluses can be produced, these can generate additional income and a potential route for African farmers to improve their livelihoods and raise themselves out of poverty. Food production and storage are limited by numerous constraints but insect pests are arguably the most important since they are a constraint over which even the poorest farmers can have some direct control with low cost interventions. If left unmanaged, insects will invariably cause severe damage.
Commercial insecticides are usually effective but they have limited distribution in rural areas. Worse still they are often adulterated (diluted to ineffective concentrations by unscrupulous traders) or applied at inappropriate application rates due to illiteracy or poor labelling and increasingly are ineffective owing to the wide occurrence and rapid evolution of pesticides resistance. Health and safety is also a serious issue since insecticides are typically applied with no protective clothing; there is no mechanism to ensure food safety for consumers, and little concern for chronic effects of exposure. The environmental impact for wildlife, crop pollinators and natural enemies is also severe while the cost of correctly applied synthetics can be prohibitive.
Farmer surveys about synthetic insecticides conducted in Africa highlight all these problems which are well understood by farmers and have led to many avoiding commercial products altogether and looking to alternatives. Intervention is necessary since severe losses in most field crops and in storage is otherwise guaranteed. A recent study estimated that for cereal grains alone, post-harvest losses reached nearly US$4 billion annually in SSA, 13.5% of the estimated US$27 billion value of cereal production. With stored grain losses estimated to be similar in quantities lost, this is arguably the most important target for food security and agricultural development in Africa. Livestock continue to endure severe morbidity and poor productivity due to ectoparasites and fly-transmitted diseases, and in many locations across the target area for this project where traditional food crops cannot easily be grown, livestock provide an alternative agricultural income for farmers. Pesticidal plants or botanical insecticides are an effective alternative to synthetic chemicals for the control of arthropod pests. Their promotion, particularly with optimised application protocols, improved access to materials through propagation using established techniques and and cultivation and effective extension services would have enormous impact on pest management and ultimately food security.
Plant materials are known by farmers to be environmentally benign, safer and cost-effective compared to synthetic pesticides1, as well as being difficult to adulterate when produced or harvested by farmers, themselves. Most persuasive of all is that their cost to farmers is substantially lower than synthetic products and can be calculated simply in terms of time to harvest and process. Generations of farmers have used plants in this way, making the technology familiar, trusted and acceptable, but their priority in agricultural policy is low. This is due to knowledge gaps or may be because there are few commercial incentives or revenues to drive policy and uptake as is the case with commercial synthetic pesticides. Their successful commercialisation has been realised through only a handful of products including Pyrethrum. However, owing to the cost of registration, even Pyrethrum products in countries where it is produced such as Kenya are registered for relatively few domestic uses, such as against mosquitoes and pets and are not widely used in their horticulture industry despite Pyrethrum being considered acceptable under organic regulations.
What is clear is that plants are effective, low cost, and provide an effective tool for managing insect pests, especially for small holder farmers. However, the realisation of their full potential, especially for the poorest farmers, is constrained by inadequate product quality evaluation and development, which, if improved, will increase the reliable options available to farmers. This project aims to address this directly through the propagation of indigenous and exotic pesticidal plant species and by improving science technology and innovation for commercially viable botanical insecticides such as Pyrethrum.


Composting offers an ideal solution for many agricultural, environmental and municipal waste management challenges. When done right, composting will improve profitably and environmental responsibly, while returning nutrients to the soil on farms. Well-developed compost is important in terms of its benefits to agriculture as a fertilizer, for building sustainable soil, and assisting in the managing of the water system. Given a future where water shortages and GHG reduction will govern our everyday business decisions, the role of compost to build better soils to capture carbon and its potential in offset credits will grow in importance.
However making quality compost, desirable for agricultural and horticultural purposes, has proven to be a challenge. Most facilities favour methods that are simple and inexpensive with an aim to neutralize and reduce their waste problem. The end product is typically not stable; the nutrients are not ‘fixed’ and tend to leach. Consequently performance in the field is unpredictable and becomes another ‘waste’ management problem.
EnviroPerfect Solutions offers more than 16 years of practical composting experience worldwide, to develop and construct compost facilities – operation, management and troubleshooting. Our team of professional composters has first-hand knowledge about what works and what doesn’t – based on good science, practical field experience and an understanding of how nature functions.
Ask us about:
"As a producer and supplier of humified compost, I am receiving good returns for my finished product. Using the compost on my own 4000 acre operation, at the end of my second year,
I have reduced my input costs from $400,000 to $150,000."
Stickland Farms, Alberta


I have a garden that is bursting with tomatoes.
So, I have spent some time this summer canning them.
Canning is not something I remember my mother doing. I am sure that my grandparents canned, but since we never lived near, within driving distance, or even in the same state as them, I was unable to be a part of their canning ventures.
One thing I learned from my mother was that being prepared to feed your family is important. She did this by compiling a large pantry of food, almost to the point of hoarding.
With that in mind, I put away what I can from my garden. I use to only freeze my vegetables, but last summer I learned how to can pickles and tomatoes. My husband LOVES the pickle,s and I really enjoyed not having to purchase canned tomatoes. Opening a jar of tomatoes that I canned was bliss this past winter, especially with the limited budget we were on during my student internship.
So, while I have not been sewing or making things, this is what I have been doing: picking, rinsing, and canning.
Boiling water to loosen the skin
peeled and put in jars
thinking of winter already with that towel
my canning products that have not already been eaten or given away
salsa, pickles, tomatoes, and jalapenos
Are you canning anything this summer?


CIAL's Green Strides Continue
Kochi: In yet another green initiative, the authorities of Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) will soon provide passengers with a bag of organically-cultivated fresh vegetables from specially arranged outlets.
The airport authorities have decided to commercially cultivate organic vegetables in the vacant space between the photovoltaic panels of the solar plant at the airport which helped it earn the distinction of being the first solar-powered airport in the world. The 12-MWp solar power plant comprising 46,150 solar panels is spread across 45 acres near the airport. The airport authorities are also planning to extend the organic vegetable cultivation to other vacant land holdings of the airport in a phased manner.
The officials have experimentally cultivated selected vegetables like pumpkin, ash gourd, ladies finger, cucumber and various varieties of cowpea in the space between photovoltaic panels laid on a three-acre area near the solar power plant and reaped rich harvest by making use of natural sunlight and without using inorganic fertilizers and pesticides.
Around 30,000 air passengers utilise the airport daily, and in the initial stage, the vegetables will be made available to these passengers only. However, CIAL has plans to launch a brand in the name of ‘CIAL Organic’ and sell the vegetables through selected outlets in the malls and supermarkets in Kochi city, said CIAL authorities.
According to experts, photovoltaic solar farms are run by making use of the abundant sunlight in a particular area. However, water is required to remove dust and dirt accumulated on the panels in order to ensure optimum efficiency of these panels. Similarly, water is also required to dampen the ground to prevent the buildup and spread of dust. So, crops can be raised effectively just beneath the solar panels by making use of the runoff water used for cleaning the PV panels.
CIAL managing director V J KurienIAS said this is the first time that such an innovative idea of using a solar power station for power generation as well as organic vegetable cultivation is being implemented. ‘’The aim of CIAL is to become the first comprehensive green airport in the country. The organic farming project is aimed at this direction and we would also join hands with premier agriculture research institutions to achieve this goal,” he said.
After the commissioning of new solar power station at the airport on August 18 last year, CIAL could generate 1.01 crore units of solar energy, saving around Rs. 7 crore in electricity expenditure, which also reduced 6,756 tonnes of Carbon dioxide emission, according to CIAL officials.


Bees’ Needs Week July 9th-16th is an annual event coordinated by Defra, working alongside other interested charities, businesses, conservation groups and academic institutions to raise awareness of bees and other pollinators and how everyone can help.
Bees are essential in cultivating many of our favourite foods and for plants to flourish in our fields and gardens. BeeBee Wraps have a vested interest in bees as we rely on them for our beeswax. Bees’ Needs Week is a great opportunity to find out more about how important pollinators are and how you can support them.
Here are five simple actions you can take to help pollinators and make sure their populations are sustained:
- Grow more flowers, shrubs and trees
- Let your garden grow wild
- Cut your grass less often
- Don’t disturb insect nest and hibernation spots
- Think carefully about whether to use pesticides


Year Published: 2014
Description: This field guide identifies seven primary components that largely determine resilience to disturbance, as well as resistance to invasive grasses and plant succession following treatment of areas of concern. The primary components are (1) characteristics of the ecological site, (2) current vegetation prior to treatment, (3) disturbance history, (4) type, timing, and severity of the treatment, (5) post-treatment weather, (6) post-treatment management, especially grazing, and (7) monitoring and adaptive management. A series of key questions and a set of tools are provided to assess these primary components. This assessment is designed to allow field personnel to (1) evaluate resilience to disturbance and resistance to invasive annual grass for an area of concern, (2) predict the potential successional pathways, and (3) then select the most appropriate treatment, including the need for seeding. An evaluation score sheet is included for rating resilience to disturbance and resistance to invasive annual grasses and the probability of seeding success.


KindLED K3 - L450 LED growlight replaces a 450W traditional grow light, while consuming just 270W.
This KindLED K3 series L450 Best LED grow lights is comprised of high powered 3 Watt Light Emitting Diodes featuring a proprietary intensified spectrum designed for flowering large yields. This revolutionary series of LED grow lights will produce the biggest and best yields, while consuming approximately half the electricity and producing virtually no heat. Your Kind LED Grow Light will cultivate record breaking yields, both in quantity and quality, while running quieter, cooler, and more efficiently than any other grow light. Guaranteed.
Kind LED grow lights are the ONLY 3 Watt grow lights that feature a 12 bandwidth full spectrum LED panel, a secondary high intensity optical lens, and 2CM aluminum circuit boards.
Replaces a 450w traditional grow light - while consuming just 270w
700 mA Driving Current Creates Up To 200% More Light Coverage
Proprietary 12 Band Complete 3 Watt “Perfect Spectrum”
Secondary Optical Lens Enhances Diode Efficiency and Magnifies PAR
Extra Large Heat Sinks, Quiet Fans, Precision Drivers, Superior Craftsmanship
Replaces: 450w Traditional Grow Light
Dimensions: 20″ x 11″ x 3″
Weight: 16 lbs.
Actual Wattage: 270w
HID Wattage Equivalent: 450w
Diodes per Module: 15
Total Diodes: 120
Diode Wattage: 3w
Footprint: 2.5′ x 3.5′
Input Voltage: 100-240V AC Power Input
Work Frequency: 50/60 Hz – Suitable for Global Energy Environment
Output Voltage: UL Standard Output Voltage – Less than 76V DC
Buy your KindLED K3 - L450 growlight at:


As an environmental management solutions company in Stikland, Cape Town, Henchem has provided vegetation management and pest control solutions for the past twenty years. We’re passionate about helping our customers, as well as our involvement in the local and international development of our industry.
Our AFCASA-qualified staff is committed to excellence, and we’re also registered at the South African Pest Control Association, Turfgrass Management Association of South Africa, and the Institute of Environmental and Recreational Management.
Our fields of service include:
- Vegetation management ─ turfgrass management, industrial weed control, invader plant control, and horticultural and aquatic environmental control.
- Public health ─ structural pest control of crawling and flying pests, rodents, problem animals and birds.
- General hygiene ─ cleaning, food safety and waste management.
- Weed control application ─ turfgrass, aquatic, bush control, industrial weed and horticultural weed control application.
- Training ─ accredited training service provider with AGRI SETA, providing training in weed control application and plant identification.
- Technical support for all our services.
Because the responsible use of pesticides is vital to all living creatures on earth, we’re proud to promote the correct use of these products to ensure humans and the natural environment are kept safe.


Being natives of Southeast Asia, kratom plants are related to coffee trees. These plants prefer a sunny and warm environment with fertile and moist soil. In the native environment, kratom plants can grow up to a maximum height of 50 feet and have wide leaves as well. On the other hand, growing kratom indoors in the cooler regions is a difficult task. There are some factors you need to keep in mind, so view it before buying a kratom plant. Get to know about the ideal environment needed for the plant, the factors involved in its growth, and more from websites like planetnatural.com.
The kratom plant is highly sensitive to cold temperatures. Even a bout of frost can be harmful enough to kill it. While some people tried to cultivate the kratom plant in the US, a majority of them have failed as the factors have worked against them. These days, you can find kratom seeds being sold online. Though they sell the kratom seeds, the retailers don’t tell you that it is extremely tough to grow the trees from these seeds. The kratom seeds are tiny and do not stay viable for long, especially with unsuitable soil.
The best way to buy kratom trees is to purchase the cuttings. Use the homegrown worm casting with potting soil as well as perlite. The original kratom plants grow up to 6 inches tall but you can get many cuttings from the plant to facilitate reproduction. It is too difficult for the propagation of the kratom seedlings. In case the process was successful, there is an array of other problems that enter the space. Apparently, the young plants are known to be extremely weak and are preyed on by pests and fungi. Though fungicides those are meant for horticulture can be of help, the odds of the kratom plant surviving these hazards are meager.
The next major problem involved in the survival of the kratom plant is temperature control. Kratom is a tropical plant, so it is sun-loving, water-hungry, and can’t tolerate cold conditions. Even older trees are prone to death if exposed to cold environments. In order to grow kratom in the U.S., you need to take complex measures for thermoregulation such as greenhouse growth or the usage of heating lamps. Having said that, you should know that these are not sufficient enough to make sure the kratom plant grows into a healthy tree.
If you somehow manage to grow the plant into a tree or near it, then you need to keep a few things suggested by experts in your mind. The first thing is that fertilizers are important to keep the plant healthy. The second thing is you need to monitor the plant constantly to make sure it has not been infested by parasites. If you are growing the kratom plant to make use of its leaves, then you need note that you need wind. The wind stress is critical to help the leaves form the necessary compounds for them. Greenhouses are pretty safe for kratom plants, but the presence of wind is important.


Welcome to KARPASA
K A R P A S A, established in the year 2007, is a leading business organisation in the field of processing and trading of agricultural commodities. We are based in Rajkot (Gujarat) in India which is a hub for agricultural products. We are dealing in a wide range of agricultural products like Sesame Seeds, Peanuts, Millet, Sorghum, Castor Seed, Chickpeas, Chilly, Soybean Meal, Rapeseed Meal, Cotton Meal, Raw Cotton, Sugar, Rice, Wheat, Yellow corn Etc.
>> Read More


The renaissance of the Bronze Age in the garden
The Bronze Age is making its way back into the garden, the beautifully bright copper tools are real eyecatcher compared to conventional garden tools made of iron. But what about the functionality, care, and durability or longevity? and what else is the copper trend in the garden all about?
Are copper garden tools strong enough for working in the garden?
Copper is far too soft and is therefore not well suited for tilling the soil in the garden, which is why copper tools are not made of pure copper, but of a mixture of 86%-94% copper and the rest tin, which results in bronze.
Bronze is significantly stronger and more stable than copper, in contrast to iron it is significantly more elastic and flexible. This has the advantage that a complete tool breakage can almost be ruled out, minor deformations can be easily corrected by hemming or bending without the risk of breakage. Copper tools are designed for use on cultivated soil, they are not suitable for use in forestry on uncultivated soil, for clearing wood, bushes and roots or on very stony, gravelly soil.
Garden tools made of copper are therefore very well suited for use in the garden, and the particularly long guarantees from the manufacturers speak for themselves in terms of the durability and longevity of the tools.
What is it like working with copper garden tools?
Copper tools are much lighter than conventional iron garden tools, and the soil adhesion is also much lower, which reduces the effort required. The tool edges are sharper and thinner, making soil penetration much easier. Bronze has the property of becoming tougher and more resilient through regular use, the tool edges remain very sharp over a longer period and can be resharpen without loss of material.
After work, the copper tools do not need much care, moisture cannot harm them because copper does not rust. Over time, copper develops a natural patina, which can be polished out if desired. However, this is usually not recommended as the patina offers a natural protective layer against verdigris and corrosion.
(Read more about the care, patina, and verdigris of copper tools here)
How important is copper as a soil nutrient?
Copper occurs in varying amounts in all soils and is a vital trace element for plants, animals, and humans, but it can be toxic in excessive concentrations.
Plants need copper to build their cell walls, to form chlorophyll, to carry out photosynthesis, for various metabolic processes and to bind oxygen radicals. Copper is also antiseptic and antifungal, meaning it naturally protects plants from pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
Copper deficiency causes plants to have discolored, curled, or wilted leaves and fruit formation can be disrupted. For example, excessive copper deficiency can prevent grain formation in grain, fruit trees react with crooked shoots and poor fruit set, onions become spongy, and carrots react to copper deficiency with discoloration.
How does using copper garden tools affect the soil and plants in the garden?
The largest field studies on copper tools and their influence on soil and plants go back to the natural scientist Viktor Schauberger and his son Walter Schauberger. They observed that soils treated with copper equipment show better and healthier plant growth and the harvest was up to 20% higher.
Through the regular use of copper tools, the smallest trace elements of copper get into the soil. With this trace element fertilization, you prevent a copper deficiency decisively and supply your plants with the important soil nutrient copper in very small but regular amounts. Soils that are processed with copper tools also show improved management of the water balance, the storage and absorption of water for plants is significantly improved.
Because during the use of iron tools, smallest trace elements of iron get into the soil, they begin to oxidize and form a light veil of rust, which leads to faster evaporation and deeper sinking of the water. Copper is not magnetic, which has the further advantage that the soil's natural stress field is not disturbed.
Garden tools made of copper are strong enough for working in the garden, they are excellent for working on cultivated soil. They also have some advantages over iron tools. They are lighter, the edges are sharper and thinner, and the soil adhesion is much lower, which leads to less effort in work. No maintenance is required after use as copper does not rust. Copper tools are therefore very durable because of the flexibility of the material, tool breakage is virtually impossible. The extraordinarily long manufacturer guarantees underpin the exceptional durability of the tools.
The positive properties of trace element fertilization by copper garden tools are based on observations and field studies, these cannot simply be ignored or labeled as esoteric hocus-pocus. The testimonials from gardeners who use copper tools are nothing but praise.
Yes, copper garden tools are expensive, but the benefits speak for themselves in terms of durability, functionality, and improving soil quality. In addition, most of the copper garden tools are made locally in small, family-run workshops.


the fall it was apple picking time. Any young girl or boy who applied early
enough could get a temporary one day job apple picking at a nearby orchard in
the Weirton / Holidays Cove area. Droozy, along
with a whole group of boys and girls, stood in line to be signed up for the
day’s work. Droozy was fifth in line, having gotten up at five in the morning
in order to be included among the workers. Out of the fifty that stood there,
the first twenty were chosen. They were loaded on the backs of two red trucks
and driven to a farm. The trees were heavy with apples, one fruit next to the
other. The tree branches were bent under their load. There were red apples and
green ones and some that were yellow in color. At the foot of each tree there
was a ladder which reached to the very top. At the bottom there was a bushel to
store the ripe fruit as they came off the trees.
was very enthusiastic about her job. She loved eating apples and she especially
liked the opportunity to climb the ladders and to earn the three dollars per day
that each picker was to receive. To her this was a great deal of money since she
was only twelve years old. It paid more than carrying empty milk bottles to the
store, which she did on occasion. For those she received only a penny each.
picking began at six in the morning and the day ended at seven at night. It was
fun at first. For three hours the picking was pretty fast. By the fourth it went
a little slower. She was given thirty minutes for a lunch break to eat the
sandwiches and other delicacies that her mother had so carefully packed. Droozy
was allowed to eat two apples during the day and this was monitored carefully by
a farm boss. He would walk back and forth to make sure that the children were
working hard and not wasting the time or the fruit.
three o’clock in the afternoon Droozy was very tired. Plop, plop, plop, one
after another of the apples were lowered into the bushels. The day seemed very
that hard work for one day gave Droozy the understanding how hard farm work
really is and how much it takes to grow and harvest fruit. She was appreciative
of the life of the farmers and that they truly must work from dawn to dark to
earn a living.


may i know what is the best soil for Peach and Nectarine tree? Acid or non-acid?
Soil PH for Peach %26amp; Nectarine Tree ?
Most fruit trees, including peaches, grow best where the soil pH is near 6.5.....Although peach trees will grow well in a wide range of soil types, a deep soil ranging in texture from a sandy loam to a sandy clay loam is preferred. Peach trees are extremely sensitive to poorly drained soils. In areas of poor drainage, roots will die, resulting in stunted growth and eventual death of the tree.


Do hedge apples repel spiders?
I LOVE Lilacs! They’re my favorite spring blooms! They’re so beautiful! And since they’re a flowering shrub once you plant them they provide not just color every spring but their wonderful fragrance to your yard as well. If you grow lilacs in your own yard, you might be wondering about how you can make that […]
I LOVE clematis, it’s one of my favorite summer flowers! I just got a new fabulous clematis plant this spring for my pollinator garden. I’m looking forward to incredible clematis blooms all summer long this year. Of course I have a few things I need to do to make sure that happens! Clematis is a […]
We have 12 acres of woodlands. Owning a wooded piece of property does not mean that you cannot also play a part in what plants and flowers are able to grow. A woodland garden is unique because it is filled with flowers that are able to tolerate low to dappled light, has a lot of […]
Do you love fresh herbs but lack the space to grow them? Or do you just want to step out the door to your patio to grab your herbs when you’re cooking? I know I do! If you do too, a container garden may be ideal for you. Growing herbs in a container garden can […]


A series of aryloxyacetic acid derivatives were designed and synthesized as HPPD inhibitors. The preliminary bioassay results indicated that these derivatives displayed promising Arabidopsis thaliana HPPD (AtHPPD) inhibitory activity, such as compound I12 (Ki = 0.011 µM) and compound I23 (Ki = 0.012 µM), which were similar with commercial HPPD herbicide Mesotrione (Ki = 0.013 µM). Furthermore, the newly synthesized compounds showed significant greenhouse herbicidal activities against tested weeds at dosages of 150 g ai/ha. In particular, compound II4 exhibited highly herbicidal activity for pre-emergence treatment, even better than those of Mesotrione. Besides, compound II4 was safe for weed control in maize fields at the rate of 150 g ai/ha. Therefore, compound II4 was identified as the most potent candidate for novel HPPD inhibitor herbicide. Compounds described herein might provide useful ideas in the design and modification of new HPPD inhibiting-based herbicides.
Keywords: 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase; herbicidal activity; aryloxy acetic acid; synthesis; modification
|Format: DOCX||Size: 8.9 MB||Download|
When a peer-reviewed version of this preprint is available, this information will be updated in the information box above. If no peer-reviewed version is available, please cite this preprint using the following information:
Wang, M.-M.; Huang, H.; Shu, L.; Liu, J.-M.; Zhang, J.-Q.; Yan, Y.-L.; Zhang, D.-Y. Beilstein Arch. 2019, 2019150. doi:10.3762/bxiv.2019.150.v1
|Download RIS (Reference Manager)||Download BIB (BIBTEX)|


Comment on page
- Agroforestry is a land use management system in which trees or shrubs are grown around or among crops or pastureland. Trees produce a wide range of useful and marketable products from fruits/nuts, medicines, wood products, etc. This intentional combination of agriculture and forestry has multiple benefits, such as greatly enhanced yields from staple food crops, enhanced farmer livelihoods from income generation, increased biodiversity, improved soil structure and health, reduced erosion, and carbon sequestration. Agroforestry practices are highly beneficial in the tropics, especially in subsistence smallholdings in sub-Saharan Africa and have been found to be beneficial in Europe and the United States.


Protecting the Air, Land and Water
Sustainability is key to – not only continued farming in Ontario – but the quality of life we all enjoy. At Finch Haven Orchards, our goal is to ensure a sustainable property for generations to come. With this as our goal, we’ve gone out of our way to protect the air, land and water on our farm.
20% of our farm is designated for natural habitat. A wild vegetation border is kept along fence lines and streams to provide wildlife corridors, and we’ve created and/or rehabilitated wetlands. In conjunction with the best Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices, we’ve implemented an environmentally friendly low spray program (virtually organic): more selective, less persistent, less harmful to non-target species, and fewer sprays of any kind.


The new Lucien Georgelin Boule Miel BIO cereals with 30% less sugar are slightly sweet cereals with a good taste of honey. The perfect alternative to overly sweet breakfast cereals! Richer in honey than the star cereals on the market and much less sweet, a real treat.
Both for breakfast and for afternoon tea, young and old alike will want more. These cereals are made in Lot-et-Garonne, in the south-west of France.
Corn flour * 79%
Honey * 9%
* Ingredients from organic farming


We think of our honeybees as our “canaries in the coal mine”. A core element of our mission is to maintain Mount Fair in a way that provides our honeybees with a healthy habitat. A thriving agricultural operation relies on plentiful and healthy pollinators and we strive to maintain the most welcoming ecosystem possible.
We are fortunate to be surrounded by small family farms and by the vast woodlands of the Shenandoah National Park which provide natural spring and autumn forage from Tulip Poplar, Linden, Peach, Redbud, Dogwood and Magnolia trees. To these sources, we have added 15 acres of wildflower meadows, which were established and are maintained by Virginia Forestry and Wildlife.
Along with forage from floral milkweed, sunflower, Rudbeckia, coneflower, goldenrod and bee balm, these meadows provide our fields with stunning summer color. Since installation, a welcome consequence of the wildflower meadows has been an explosion in local bird and animal populations. The wildlife sightings from the Paddock House porch are remarkable.
Our horse paddocks contain plentiful clover and are maintained in a way that maximizes floral production. In late spring and early summer, when clover typically blooms, we suspend clipping in order to facilitate flower growth and honey bee pollination. The resulting light-colored clover honey, typically harvested in late June, is delicious.
Our apiary partners at Elysium Honey are wonderful beekeepers and their honey production operations provide the best raw, unfiltered honey in the region. We love them!


- Hi tech farming
- Corporate / contract farming
- Large scale plantation projects
- Agriculture land development projects
- Organic farming support and certification
- Precision farming
- Farm diversification
- Farming consultancy
- Business plan and risk assessment
- Business restructuring services
- Value chain analysis
Some of our projects executed under this project are:
- Study of the horticulture cropping pattern and backward, forward linkages under Horticulture Technology Mission for the State of Uttarakhand.
- Study for the identification of the technological gaps and suggesting appropriate interventions for rural sector for the Ministry of Science & Technology, GOI.
- Study of pattern of whether conditions and its impact on quality of fruits and vegetables in Rajasthan for Field Fresh Limited.
- Study of the remote sensing applications in agriculture and globally successful models and identify the challenges and opportunities for large scale adoption of remote sensing applications in Andhra Pradesh agriculture. Project done for AP State Remote Sensing Agency.
- A market research study of Bt and non Bt cotton farming, comparative returns, acceptance trends and pricing strategy for Nuziveedu Seeds Limited.
If you have a Farm Solutions and Agribusiness Consultancy project please drop us a line at firstname.lastname@example.org


We maintain our strong capacity in the agriculture trading market by offering quality services and the best prices to our customers through our reliable networks.
Agriculture Commodity Trading
We supply commodities such as Grains (Maize, Soya, Sorghum and Paddy rice) to industrial consumers. Our industry engagement allows us to efficiently provide easy market access to smallholder farmers while reducing post-harvest losses. Aracari Agro Allied remains unlimited to markets in Europe and Middle East.
Agriculture Commodity Export
With a license from Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), we offer export of cash crops such as Cashew, Cocoa, Ginger, Sesame and many more. Our supply chain efficiency combined with origin and logistical flexibility enables us to deliver significant value to our customers around the world.
We are Aracari Agro
Aracari Agro Allied Limited is a focused-driven source of long-lasting industrial solutions to contemporary Nigerian agricultural problems through well-structured business models in total alignment with Sustainable Development Goal 2 (SDGs).
As a coalescent agricultural entity, we ensure the achievement of our goals through a productive and efficient supply chain of all kinds of grains.
We are intentionally burdened to help you achieve the optimal sustainability in your agricultural businesses through our fully functional global network of trading and supply chain.
Why Choose Us
In the race of Agricultural Sustainability, you become our sole priority.
Local and Global Network
We are efficiently capable of nationwide coverage and unlimited access to international market networks.
Excellent and Quality Service
We excel in providing top-notch services with utmost integrity and transparency.
We are driven with the ultimate focus to expand our reach across continental borders and intercontinental networks.
Easy ways to get thing done
Consult with us
Place your Orders
2, Kamazo Yakowa Road, New Extension, Kaduna.
Having troubles? Find the answer to your query here. Don’t hesitate to contact us!
questions or queries?
Just fill out the form below


Seabiscuit A2 is a pure afghan strain that came from a seed that Joshwax popped himself and undoubtedly has some Lebron James genetics for a landrace strain. I heard rooms of seeds were popped to find this specific cutt.
Landrace cannabis strains are pure, indigenous varieties of marijuana. They evolved over hundreds of years in specific regions of the world. Furthermore, these strains have adapted to their local climate and growing conditions. Moreover, these strains are known for their unique characteristics and genetics.
Many consider Landrace strains the “purest” forms of cannabis. Even more so, historically many have used these purest forms of cannabis as the basis for breeding new hybrid strains. For instance, some examples include Afghan, Thai, Durban Poison, Lambs Bread, and Acapulco Gold.


Plantable CardsRegular price $10.04 Save $-10.04
I am a plantable card and I will grow into your chosen seed.
Soak me in water until I’m soft (you can plant me after 5 minutes of soaking and put me straight into the ground/pot or you can soak me in water until you start to see my seedlings grow).
Place me on seed raising mix. Lightly cover me with more mix, water and ensure I stay moist for my germination period.
Germination should take 7-21 days. Once you start to see me sprout, remember I’ll need your unlimited love to grow into the beautiful plant you desire.


Here's a couple of bashful young fellows, Wes Johnston and Todd Sheens, from the Torry Hill Orchard in Young, NSW. You'll meet Wes and Todd each Saturday at the Torry Hill Orchard stall at the Capital Region Farmer's Markets. They will be at the markets during cherry season, selling boxes of freshly picked Ron cherries. Peter and I always make a beeline for the stall, as there are also wines, sauces and some yummy cherry pies on sale. The pies are made by a local bakery in Young, using fruit from the Torry Hill Orchard.
Buy also from the Torry Hill Orchard farm shop at 537 Cowra Road, Young, telephone 02 6382 5676.
A visit to Kerry and Stephen Eastlake's park-like Wombat Heights cherry farm is on our list of things to do this Summer. Peter and I had the pleasure of meeting the Eastlakes and sampling their Grog Shed goodies at the Hall Markets this afternoon. You can pick your own cherries at their cherry farm from mid November to December; peaches in the first two weeks of January; and sugar plums at the end of January into February. If you'd like to learn about life on a cherry orchard and the making of cherry wine and jam, there are tours all year round.
Kerry and Stephen's limoncello was so delicious, we couldn't resist buying a bottle and their walnut rum liqueur had a lovely walnut flavour. I'm looking forward to tasting some of Kerry's jam (she's a great cook from the sounds of things).
Farmers and growers, artisan producers, and wonderful providores.


Bihar Krishi Input Anudan Yojana 2023 Apply Online Form:- We all know this very well that at present the name of agriculture comes among those professions in which even after putting in a lot of hard work, the returns are very low because it is often seen that crops get ruined due to various natural reasons. Due to which farmers suffer a lot of loss. Many times farmers are not able to recover their costs and due to this they also incur debt. Keeping this in mind, the state government of Bihar has started Bihar Agricultural Input Grant Scheme 2023 to provide financial assistance to the farmers in such times, about which we will talk in this article.
Bihar Krishi Input Anudan Yojana 2023 – Overview
|Name of Department||Direct Benefit Transfer, Agriculture Department, Government of Bihar|
|Category||Name of Scheme|
|Name of Article||Bihar Krishi Input Anudan Yojana|
|Launched By||By State Government|
|Scheme Available For||Farmers of The State|
|Benefits||Input Subsidy Scheme|
What is Bihar Agricultural Input Subsidy Scheme?
At present, many such schemes are being run by the state government of Bihar which are providing a lot of benefits to the economically weak farmers living in the state. One such scheme is Bihar Agricultural Input Grant Scheme 2023B which is providing subsidy to the farmers living in the state on the loss of their crops due to natural reasons. Through this scheme, farmers are being provided full time financial assistance by the state government, which they need a lot.
Bihar Krishi Input Anudan Scheme is an excellent scheme run by the state government of Bihar. Under which, in case of crop failure due to natural problems like flood and excessive rainfall, the economically weak farmers living in the state will get Rs 6800 per hectare for non-irrigated land, Rs 13500 per hectare for irrigated land and Rs 12200 for sand/silt land. Giving grant amount up to Rs. With this, farmers are getting a good cover in times of loss.
Objective of Bihar Krishi Input Anudan Yojana?
Bihar Agricultural Input Scheme 2023 is one of the best schemes being run by the state government of Bihar for the farmers. Under which, financial assistance is being provided to the farmers in the form of grant by the state government for the losses due to natural causes. The objective of Bihar Agricultural Input Scheme 2023 is to help the economically weak farmers living in the state to cover the losses caused due to natural disasters.
Eligibility for Bihar Agricultural Input Grant Scheme?
Agricultural Input Grant Scheme 2023 is one of the best schemes run by the state government of Bihar which is providing a lot of help to the farmers. If you are thinking of taking advantage of this scheme, then you should know about the eligibility related to it, which are as follows:
- The applicant must be a permanent resident of Bihar.
- The applicant must have agricultural land.
- If the applicant is doing farming by taking land on rent, then he should have all the documents related to it.
- The applicant should have all the documents related to farming like LPC/land receipt/genealogy/jamabandi/sale letter etc. along with mobile number and passport size photograph.
Bihar Krishi Input Anudan Yojana 2023 Apply Online Form:
Under the Bihar Agricultural Input Farmer Grant Scheme, economically weak farmers living in the state of Bihar are getting a lot of help from the state government. If you think that you are an eligible applicant for Bihar Agriculture Scheme 2023, then you can apply for the scheme by following the following steps:
- First of all go to the official website of the scheme https://dbtagriculture.bihar.gov.in/.
- Click on the option of agricultural inputs given on the homepage of the website.
- After this, fill the farmer registration number in the page that will open and click on the search option.
- Now an application form will appear in front of you in which fill all the required information accurately and upload the scanned copy of all the documents.
- After this submit this form.
- In this way you can easily apply for Bihar Krishi Kisan Yojana.
- After applying, your application will be scrutinized and if everything is correct and you are an eligible applicant for the scheme, you will be linked to the scheme.
- Free Gas Connection Online Apply 2023
- How can a Pregnant Woman Get Rs 6000?
- How to link Aadhar Card to Ration Card? From Mobile
- How to See Copy of Bhulekh UP Khasra / Khatauni online
- NREGA Job Card List (New) Released, See Your Name in the List
Bihar Krishi Input Anudan Yojana, Bihar Krishi Input Anudan Yojana, Bihar Krishi Input Anudan Yojana,


Sustainable farming, Quirky accommodation & achievable friendly training
Weir End Farm is nestled in the heart of the Wye Valley just outside Ross-on-Wye. The farm is around 500 acres & is tenanted from The Duchy of Cornwall.
The Hunter Blair family have been farming at Weir End Farm since 1968, when Graham first got the tenancy. In 2012 Ally completed succession of tenancy & now lives at the farm with wife, Annie & daughter India.
We are predominantly an arable farm & have been practicing reduced tillage since 2019 with the view to making the crops we grow as sustainable as possible.
In 2017 Annie set up an equestrian enterprise using her experience as a riding instructor which is run from the 60 x 25m Martin Collins arena.
In 2020 we moved into glamping with Bertha's Box a converted Bedford Horse lorry. In 2021 we built & installed Shepherd's View, two huts linked uniquely together with a SkyBridge to proved extra space for cosy weekends.
The farm has featured in four television series. First Time Farmers series 1 & 2 & most recently Born Mucky - Life on the farm series 1 & 2.


Gail Taylor, is the owner/operator of Three Part Harmony Farm. A long-time resident of the District, Taylor has worked as an organizer and social justice activist focusing on Latin America solidarity (internationally) and affordable housing issues (locally.) She has been farming organically since 2005.
Taylor speaks regularly on food and farming issues and has been featured in The Washington Post in 2014 and 2015 for her role as a leader in the urban ag movement. In 2015, she was featured as one of Fifty+ under 50: Innovative leaders transforming metro DC’s food system. She is a member of the Seed Keeper’s Collective, Ecohermanas, and co-founder of Community Farming Alliance.
Three Part Harmony Farm exists to grow food for people, but it also exists in part to
challenge our assumptions on how urban farms should look. It intentionally seeks to create a viable and just local food economy while at the same time dismantling racism and the ever present, entrenched forms of oppression in that same food system.
Three Part Harmony Farm has an active work exchange program where people can work in exchange for fresh produce from the farm. The farm donates produce to soup kitchens and food pantries that redistribute food to people in need. Gail and other affiliates of the farm also work on campaigns to create more equity in the food system. The Farm’s mantra defines its’ core principles: Food as Medicine. Food as Culture. Food for our Future.


Farm to School Grant
Through the USDA, Greenup Co. ATC received a grant to start a program that would allow students to raise fruits and vegetables on the school grounds that could be used in the schools cafeteria. As part of this grant a new greenhouse has been purchased and will be built in the near future. A tractor was also purchased to use in the gardens. The grant was also used to buy irrigation supplies for the green house and gardens. The greenhouse will be a 30' x 96' plastic greenhouse like the one pictured below. The start of the construction has yet to be determined.


The team behind the Estonian start-up VitalFields, which develops management software for agricultural enterprises, includes European agriculture leaders and masters in machine learning and IT.VitalFields was established in 2011 as part of the Garage48 hackathon.We started out with weather forecasting, explains Vahur Meus, one of the founders and the current CTO at VitalFields.
We set the company up with an initial functioning service in just 48 hours at an event called Garage48. We realised that farmers and their work were hugely affected by the weather, so VitalFields originally concentrated on field-based weather forecasts.I also remember the times in the early days when we simply got in the car, drove to farm and listened to what the farmers had to say, he adds.
Today, those farmers are everyday users of VitalFields.In collaboration with the farmers and agriculture experts the team soon realised that the farms and agriculture companies needed more in order to ensure effective growth.Once we saw that there was a link between the weather and the occurrence of plant diseases and that lots of other agricultural indicators could tell the farmers how to make better decisions, we started developing our product along those lines, says Meus.
At first, the team worked on VitalFields on the side. But at some point we realised that regardless of our mortgages and leases and mouths to feed, we needed to step out of our comfortable nine-to-five zone, he says. You cant excel at doing two things at the same time.
Today, the VitalFields programme includes tools that are designed to make everyday work easier for farmers. We have electronic field records, a weather forecasting system, a warehouse, planning, reports and analyses, lists Martin Rand, the companys co-founder and current CEO.IT specialist and hobby farmerBesides being an ex-Skyper, Rand had previous experience in the field of agriculture he had worked as the IT manager of a predecessor to the Estonian Agricultural Board.
Meus only had a background in IT. You might say that VitalFields has given us the farming bug! the CTO smiles.
Were both submerged in agriculture at work, and as a hobby I run my family farm in Haaslava municipality near Tartu, Estonia.Its normal that you dont recognise every problem until youve faced them yourself, he adds. What makes agriculture interesting and challenging is that the plans you make on paper keep changing due to the weather and your technical or logistical possibilities.
You can make a detailed five-year sowing plan, but within the first couple of months it might turn out that you have to redo everything.VitalFields possibilitiesVitalFields is accessible online and via a mobile app. Its main function is to act as an electronic field record.
In it you can make entries about work that is being done. The solution allows you to mark all entries in one go, thereby reducing repeated activities. The VitalFields warehouse system lets you compile all of the input invested in the fields yield.
The entries made in the electronic fields record and warehouse are linked. Several analyses and reports update themselves based on the information in the field records and warehouse. Additionally, VitalFields features a weather forecasting system which allows you to view a forecast for each field separately.
The weather information is received from two sources: Yr.no and GISmeteo.Distribution and future prospectsOne of the most important areas for VitalFields is that the information in the electronic field records is needed by the farmers themselves, he adds.
Instead of it being about having to fill in the field record, we want to help the farmers analyse their data. And all so that in future the farmers can make wiser decisions based on actual data, not just intuition.Estonian data scientist Andres Kull, who is also an angel investor for VitalFields, says that the company offers a great opportunity for development.
One of the questions Im often asked by developers is how to get started with machine learning, he says. If you want to do machine learning, VitalFields gives you the perfect opportunity to learn it step by step and burrow into the wonderful world of big data, or constantly improve yourself in other areas.According to Meus the principle in VitalFields is that managing a farm is a science.
To be good at it you need to gather and understand your data.Numerous similar management systems have been developed around the world, but they are mostly only used in the countries they originate from. VitalFields, on the other hand, operates in several countries at once.
At present, approximately 6000 farms covering half a million hectares are using VitalFields. The rise in user numbers has been rapid: whereas in 2015 around 40 new users were joining the system each month, today this number has reached between 300 and 400. There are approximately 22 new users from Estonia every month.
The most rapid expansion is taking place in Germany and Poland.On this journey weve had moments of pure bliss where everythings been great and the futures looked bright, Meus smiles. And then weve had moments where everythings just seemed impossible!
But weve reached a more stable stage now where farmers in Estonia, Germany and Poland are very happy with the VitalFields service and our user numbers are increasing by the day, he adds. Our teams also growing in addition to IT specialists we also have leading agriculture specialists.The founders are hopeful regarding both VitalFields and the field of agriculture generally.
FAO analysis says that due to the increasing global population and middle-class population in large countries, food production around the world will have to double by 2050, Meus explains. Demands growing, but the land areas still the same.Farmers need to produce more within the same area of land, and that requires precise planning and smart decisions based on data, says Rand.
As such, the market for VitalFields is also growing. .


FEW Speaker and Starch Expert Determines the Key to the Ideal Yield
Hydro-Thermal prides itself as being innovators in ethanol and starch production. This month, we were proud to have our business associate speak at FEW while continuing the planning phase of the slurry tank system for Elite Octane.
Dr. Loren Chen, President of East Tide Science & Technology, spoke to a group at the Fuel Ethanol Workshop (FEW) about utilizing the Hydroheater Jet Cooker to achieve the greatest amount of yield during ethanol/starch production. Dr. Chen is the preeminent expert of ethanol and starch markets in Asia with over 20 years of experience. In addition, Dr. Chen has done extensive research on enzymatic degradation of starch. In his research, he has compared Hydro-Thermal's JetCooker with direct steam injection technologies to reveal that Hydro-Thermal's internal adjustments allowed for greater control, more desirable starch chemistry, and greater yield. Dr. Chen confirmed the need for a Jet-Cooker in starch and ethanol production in order to achieve the ideal molecule size and ultimately the most profitable results.
For more information on FEW and Dr. Chen's presentation, please click here.
Hydro-Thermal is providing a turnkey slurry heating system for a planned Elite Octane ethanol plant in Atlantic, Iowa. Hydro-Thermal has provided slurry heating systems for nearly a dozen ethanol facilities throughout the United States, but this is one of the first to be implemented prior to opening. The slurry tank system will optimize production, ensure precise and accurate temperature control, and eliminate hot and cold spots.
For more information on Elite Octane and the slurry heating system, please click here.
To read about a Jet Cooker slurry tank success story, please click here.


Karlskorna musteri was founded in 2010 by Kalle, Märta and Jonas Johansson. They founded Karlskrona musteri with the ambition to make tasty and high quality juice with only one ingredient - apples. The farm where the apples both are growing and are pressed is ecologically and KRAV-certified, this means that the apple juice is also ecologic.
At the farm there are four different apple varieties growing – Amorosa, Rubinola, Santana and Frida. These varieties are the base of the apple juice. In addition to these are usually also other apple varieties from other KRAV-certified farms.
For Karlskrona musteri the juice manufacture is all about finding a balance between the two main flavours of the juice – sweetness and acidity. They do this through a lot of different artisanal manner, such as by precessing the juice in a special way, or to store the apples for some time.


Palm oil - Users, producers and consumers
What is palm oil?
Palm oil, together with its related product, palm kernel oil, is
derived from the fruit of the oil palm. It is widely used in domestic
cooking in Asia and generally as an ingredient of processed food
products. It is one of the four major vegetable oils. By volume
of world production it is second only to soya oil but is the most
traded oil internationally.
Where is it produced and who are the main
Oil palms, which like a humid climate, regular rainfall and sunshine,
are grown near the equator.
What is it used for?
Many food and non-food uses, principally:
- Cooking oil – domestic and commercial – particularly
for frying because of its superior heat resistant properties;
- Bakery shortening
- Non food
- Oleochemicals – of which detergents are one of the main
Palm kernel oil
Speciality fats, such as cocoa butter substitutes; shampoos; cosmetics;
ice-cream. Palm kernel meal is used as animal feed.


Vegetable gardens are a great way to eat more seasonally and increase the vegetables in your diet. Last year was our first spring in our current house and we were lucky to get lots of yard space to put in some raised garden beds. So I decided to try out a new hobby and I planted my first vegetable garden. Admittedly, I did not do much research but still ended up successful. My snap peas, green beans, radishes, carrots, kale and spinach crops were abundant. Going out back in the afternoons and picking things for that night’s salad was a real joy.
One the other hand, there was room for improvement with some of my crops. The rhubarb and strawberries did not fare very well, most likely due to lack of watering. My tomatoes were mushy and bland. I think I will just leave the tomato growing to family and friends on the east side of the state this season.
This year we’ve added an additional raised bed and I am going into the gardening season with more education and a plan. Now that our daughter is a little older it is also fun to get her involved.


4x8 Raised Bed Vegetable Garden Layout
Fresh Of 4×8 raised bed vegetable garden layout Photos Image Source by www.tapsyearbook.com - Through the thousand photographs on-line concerning 4×8 raised bed vegetable garden layout p ics, we all selects the very best choices together with greatest resolution just for you all, and this photos is one of photos selections in your best photographs gallery with regards to 4×8 raised bed
About 4′ x 8′ Raised Bed Boxes. 4'x 8′ raised bed garden boxes are perfect for easy-care gardening. In only 32 square feet, you can raise a highly productive garden. All you need is a little fore-thought. I plant my raised bed boxes after the concept used by the intensive gardeners of Europe.
A couple other horticulture agents and I have put together some simple garden plans that will get you started on your garden. These garden plans are all 4 ft x 8 ft gardens, ideally designed to be raised beds. However, raised beds aren't necessary! If your garden space is bigger, you can simply use several of the garden templates end to end.
Here's a list of the best free DIY raised garden bed plans & ideas for inspirations. let's begin with the free raised garden bed plans. 59 Free DIY Raised Garden Bed Plans: 1. Two Tier Garden Bed. If you've ever grown a large garden then you know why ease is such a great thing if gardening in raised beds.
9 Comments on Fall Vegetable Garden Layout for a 4'x8′ Raised Bed Lately I've been thinking about my fall vegetable planting and since the time is upon us I thought I would put together a diagram of how I might plant one of my 4'x8′ raised beds.
Whether you're a gardening newbie or have a seasoned green thumb, raised beds are a great way to make that happen. These simple structures offer some serious advantages: For starters, the soil can be catered to your needs, as you will be filling your beds rather than using what's already available.


Friday, 27 January 2017
Speaker: Lana Reid
Lecture title: The A-Maize-ing Story of Corn
Lana Reid will discuss the science and history of corn or maize. Immerse yourself in the culture of corn and learn why this crop is so important in today’s world. Get a crash course on conventional plant breeding and how it has taken a small primitive grass plant and developed it into a major crop over the thousands of years that humans have cultivated it. Also, learn a bit about the role the Central Experimental Farm in Ottawa has played in the expansion of corn acreage in Canada and some of the ongoing research at the CEF today.
Bio: Lana Reid, Ph.D.
Lana Reid is a senior research scientist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and heads the corn breeding and genetics national research program located at the Central Experimental Farm. She obtained her BSc in biology from the University of Ottawa in 1985 followed by an MSc with a major in entomology/biochemistry in 1988. During her Master’s research she discovered an interest in plant breeding and switched gears to obtain a PhD in plant breeding and pathology in 1991 from McGill University. She was hired in 1991 by AAFC to run a corn pathology research program and then in 1998 to lead the corn breeding program.


Vegetable Oil Extraction Factory – Lehliu Gara
Consultant: AFAPLAN ENGINEERING
Client: PRIO EXTRACTIE
Investment value: 96 000 000 EUR
Execution period: 2007 –2011
Between August 2007 – December 2011, Afaplan conducted surveillance of the construction of the largest vegetable oil extraction plant in Europa. Situated in Lehliu Station, Romania, vegetable oil extraction plant is located on an area of 150,000 m2 and has a built area of 84,400 m2. It is served by internal roads and a railway, each having 2 Km in length. The factory has the capacity to process 1,800 tons of rape/sunflower seeds and 800 tons of soybean/rape seeds per day, functioning 8000 hours/year. The industrial complec is incorporating 15 vertical silos of 10 thousand m³ each repository bran with a storage capacity of 32 tons, eight vegetable oil storage tanks with a total capacity of 20 thousand m³, a water treatment plant, a wastewater treatment plant and can produce 316,000 tons of oil and 340,000 tons of bran per year by processing 750 000 tons oil seeds / year .
The plant also includes a transformer station 110/20 KW (which supplies factory) and a 110 KW overhead line with a length of 4 km, which connects between the factory and the public network.


Just because you have an irrigation system doesn’t mean you’re saving water…
How often does your irrigation system come on when your grass doesn’t need any water? Have you been putting off checking the system? Perhaps you rationalize that it isn’t hurting the grass, so what’s the harm? Actually, besides the obvious answer that it is wasting water and money, too much water DOES harm your lawn. Overwatering encourages turf to grow shallow roots which cause the grass to stress if water isn’t available. And, if your system is still on during the winter months when St Augustine and other native grasses are DORMANT and need no more water than Mother Nature provides, the waste factor multiplies.
Experts point out that the basic recipe for growing healthy grass while saving water is tied to selecting the right grass for the location, having really good soil, and understanding exactly how to take care of it. That means knowing specifically how much water it really needs to thrive.
About half of the lawns in Texas are planted with St. Augustine grass, which many believe is especially “thirsty”. According to the experts at Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, however, that might be a “bad rap” since all grasses use about the same amount of water at the same rate when it is available in the soil. The ability of a turfgrass to survive if water is restricted depends on its drought tolerance and the type of soil — how deep it is, and how appropriate it is for growing the type of grass that is planted. The deeper the soil, the more likely the grass can survive even 60 days without water.
Throw out the old “inch of water a week” advice that may or may not be the formula for your lawn. Most yards can get by with less than half of the irrigation currently applied. Water moves into clay soils at a rate of about 0.09 inches per hour…not very fast. An irrigation system, on the other hand, may apply water at a rate of 0.25 to 1.5 inches per hour or more. Delivering water faster than a soil can absorb during one application results in water moving across the soil surface, running into the gutter, and down into the storm drain – and that causes another problem altogether.


Tens of thousands of Indian farmers continue to occupy roads outside New Delhi to call for the full repeal of farm reforms they believe would favour large agribusiness over small farmers. Supporters of Prime Minister Narendra Modi say the liberalisation of India’s agricultural markets is needed to jumpstart production, ensure food security for the nation, and usher in a “Green Revolution 2.0”. So far, talks between protest leaders and the government have not been enough to allay farmers’ fears and halt more than two months of demonstration.
In this episode of The Stream, we’ll discuss what needs to be done to truly improve the lives of Indian farmers.
Join the conversation:
Subscribe to our channel http://bit.ly/AJSubscribe


To prevent sodium damage: use 500 gm Humeco Power per irrigation
Vegetables: 1-2 Kg/acre @1 Kg at planting and 1Kg after one month with fertilizer application.
Cereals: 1Kg at planting and 1Kg along with each application of fertilizer.
Fruits: 10Kg/year in 2-3 splits as per fruiting and vegetative cycles along with fertilizer dosages.
Ornamental/Flowers: 1Kg /acre per month.


Country of Origin: Wine of România (IG Dealurile Vrancei)
Dry Red Wine - Alc.: 14%
In Thrace, now modern Romania, 4000 years ago the Greek god Dionysus, son of Zeus and Semele was born, and with him a new agricultural business appeared-winemaking. The location, the climate, the soil, the landscape, the grapes and the people are all reflected in our wines. A Senator Wine we only grow grapes in the regions of Romania, positioned at the same latitude as Bordeaux, Burgundy and Piemonte.
A medium-bodied wine boasting flavours of sour cherry, forest fruit and plum, smooth tannins, subtle oak leading to a long finish. It pairs beautifully with red meats, pizza, tomato based pasta dishes or matured cheese.
Serve at room temperature (14-18’C). Best enjoyed young and fresh.


We’ve got new workers on campus: honeybees! For the last two months, Subway® Headquarters has been the happy new home of two hives with approximately 50,000 bees.
The pollinator program was created by our Global Sustainability team to raise awareness about the importance of honeybees to the global food supply and the Subway business model, while also involving employees in a fun and educational way.
The world and Subway wouldn’t be the same without bees, as the global food supply depends on pollinators. Nathan Gassmann, Manager of Global Sustainability at Subway, says, “Subway has a very veggie-forward menu, so pollinators are a critical part of our supply chain. Subway Sandwich Artists™ would have a pretty limited palette if pollinators disappeared, with many colorful veggies missing, including avocados, black olives, and red onion."
Nearly 75 volunteer employees maintain the hives. Volunteers take turns every other week, overseeing the bees with guidance from a local beekeeper, Ben Hurd, from Hurd’s Farm & Apiary in Middlebury, CT. In just two months, Subway employees have learned about important environmental issues impacting bees, while also learning how to maintain healthy hives. As time goes on, the employees will continue to maintain and keep a watchful eye on the bees to make sure they thrive.
John Scott, Chief Transformation Officer at Subway, says, "Everyone involved is taking a fresh look at the environment, and how factors such as lawn pesticides can impact these small creatures."
While we know our humble hives won’t save the whole world’s bee population, this project is making a difference on a local level. Campus landscapers have adjusted lawn maintenance procedures, and employees are encouraging others to plant pollinator-friendly flowers or limit pesticide use at home.
Ben Hurd says his biggest tip for being bee-friendly at home is to, “Plant more pollinator-friendly plants. Not every flower is pollinator-friendly, so be sure to read the packaging.” See our pollinator-friendly plant guide below.
At Subway, our Sustainability team works hard to ensure we’re reducing our environmental impact and preserving our planet. From reducing waste, to partnering with local farmers— you can find out more about our sustainability efforts on our website.
Top Image Credit: Subway


The five Seed Synergy partners are the Canadian Plant Technology Agency (CPTA); the Commercial Seed Analysts Association of Canada (CSAAC); the Canadian Seed Growers’ Association (CSGA); the Canadian Seed Institute (CSI); and the Canadian Seed Trade Association (CSTA). Over the past five years, these groups have worked together on a vision to create the next generation seed system in Canada. In the summer of 2020, members of the five organizations voted on an amalgamation proposal to become one new national seed organization, Seeds Canada. Four out of the five organizations voted in favour. One organization, the Canadian Seed Growers’ Association, did not vote in favour.
The four seed organizations that did vote in favour have proceeded with amalgamation to become one new, national organization. Seeds Canada launched in February 2021. To learn more, please visit: seeds-canada.ca.


We all know the struggle of keeping our gardens and landscapes weed-free. Weeds seem to pop up overnight, wreaking havoc on the pristine look we’ve worked so hard to achieve. Traditional mulches like wood chips or straw can help, but have you ever considered using rubber mulch? Rubber mulch, made from recycled tires, offers a unique set of benefits that not only beautify your landscape but also combat those persistent weeds. In this blog post, we’ll explore the advantages of using rubber mulch for weed control.
Long-lasting Weed Suppression
Rubber mulch is designed to endure the test of time. Unlike organic mulches, which break down and decompose, rubber mulch remains intact for years. This durability means it continues to provide an effective barrier against weeds long after installation. With rubber mulch, you can enjoy a weed-free landscape for several years without the need for frequent reapplication.
Superior Weed Blockage
Rubber mulch is excellent at blocking weeds because it creates a dense, non-porous barrier on the soil’s surface. This prevents sunlight and air from reaching weed seeds, inhibiting their germination and growth. Unlike traditional mulches that may develop gaps or allow weeds to push through, rubber mulch maintains its integrity and effectiveness as a weed barrier.
Water Retention and Soil Protection
In addition to weed control, rubber mulch offers other benefits for your garden. It retains moisture well, reducing the need for frequent watering. By keeping the soil consistently moist, it helps your plants thrive while discouraging weed growth. Furthermore, rubber mulch provides insulation to the soil, protecting plant roots from extreme temperatures and maintaining a stable growing environment.
One of the most significant advantages of rubber mulch is its low maintenance requirement. Unlike organic mulches that decompose over time and need replenishing, rubber mulch stays in place, saving you time and effort. You can spend less time weeding and re-mulching and more time enjoying your beautiful garden.
Rubber mulch is an eco-friendly choice because it repurposes used tires, preventing them from ending up in landfills or incinerators. Recycling tires into rubber mulch reduces the environmental impact of tire disposal and conserves valuable resources. Choosing rubber mulch demonstrates your commitment to sustainability and responsible landscaping practices.
Safety and Durability
Rubber mulch is not only excellent at suppressing weeds but also provides a safe surface for play areas. Its shock-absorbing properties make it an ideal choice for playgrounds, as it reduces the risk of injuries from falls. Additionally, rubber mulch withstands harsh weather conditions, such as heavy rain and extreme temperatures, without deteriorating, ensuring its effectiveness and safety.
Incorporating rubber mulch into your landscaping strategy can be a game-changer for effective weed control. Its durability, superior weed-blocking capabilities, low maintenance requirements, and environmentally friendly nature make it a versatile and sustainable choice. Say goodbye to endless weeding and frequent mulch replacements, and say hello to a beautiful, weed-free garden that lasts for years. Make the green choice today by opting for rubber mulch, and enjoy the benefits it brings to your landscape and the environment.


1. special plastic raw materials, especially urea formaldehyde resin
2. some glue material
3. fertilizer and feed ingredients
4. replace the antifreeze of salt on the streets, advantage is not to make metal corrosion
5. strengthen the smell of cigarettes
6. given the industrial production of pretzels Brown
7. some shampoo, detergent composition
Refrigeration package composition by 8. emergency, because urea reacts with water and heat
9. diesel engine, exhaust gas, thermal power plant, especially can reduce nitrogen oxides
10. seeding agent composition with salt. "
Over the past 11. to separate the paraffin wax, because urea can form inclusion complexes
12. refractory material
13. environmental protection engine fuel composition
14. teeth whitening ingredients
15. chemical fertilizer
|Specification||FCC VII||USP 40|
|Content (On dry basis) , w/%||99.0-100.5||98.0-102.0|
|Alcohol-insoluble residue,w/% ≤||0.04||0.04|
|Chlorides (Cl),w/% ≤||0.007||————|
|Ignition residue, w/% ≤||0.1||0.1|
|Lead (Pb),mg/kg ≤||5.0||————|
|Loss on drying, w/% ≤||1.0||————|
|Heavy metal (as Pb),mg/kg ≤||————||20.0|
|Organic impurity, w/% ≤||————||0.05|
1、Chemical Name: Urea
2、Molecular Formula: CH4N2O
3、Molecular Weight: 60.062
5、Character: It occors as colorless or white needle-shaped or rod-shaped crystals, technical or agricultural grade urea are white with slightly reddish solid granules, odorless and tasteless, and it’s hygroscopic.
6、Usage: It can be used in yeast food, yeast-fermentation baking products, gum sugar tissue improver, alcoholic beverages, gelatin products, and wine.
7、Packing: It is packed with a polyethylene bag as the inner layer, and a compound plastic woven bag as the outer layer. The net weight of each bag is 25kg.
8、Storage and Transport: It should be stored in a dry and ventilative warehouse, kept away from heat and moisture during transportation, unloaded with care so as to avoid damage. Furthermore, it must be stored separately from poisonous substances.


Head of Business Development and Origination and Acting Head of Agribusiness at Stanbic Bank Benedict Kwasi Obeng has encouraged players within Ghana’s agriculture sector to be consistent in the quantity and quality of agricultural products if the country has to benefit fully from the sector.
Mr. Obeng said this at the Seventh Agricultural Industrialization Conference, organized by the Torchbearer International Agricultural Science and Technology (TIAST) Group in partnership with Stanbic Bank in Accra.
In his remarks, he noted that “Stanbic Bank is truly delighted to be part of this initiative and we want to use it as an example to demonstrate our belief that for agriculture to benefit Africans, it has to be a market-to-farm approach, we have to organize our market and be consistent in our quantity and quality and then we can extract the maximum price possible from our produce.”
Mr. Obeng further mentioned Stanbic Bank’s partnership with the TIAST Group is aimed at ensuring value addition to cassava produce and that farmers derive the maximum profit from the product.
“Our partnership with TIAST will ensure that Ghanaian cassava farmers are supplied with various cassava equipment to enable them farm and process the farm produce. We will work with TIAST and ensure that the markets are properly developed and that our farmers don’t get saddled with low prices as cassava and rice currently brings in, but rather prices in the region of what the cocoa crop commands,” he said.
Mr. Obeng assured the farmers of the bank’s commitment to provide them with all that is required to make their work effective.
He said, “Working with TIAST, we will ensure that we can have appropriate equipment, and provide the required support for the maintenance of the equipment. At the same time, they have committed to help us to build a global market for the final output of the cassava, whether it is starch or ethanol, as well as help us further process rice and rubber.”
Stanbic Bank Ghana, through its agricultural proposition, has been working to improve the agriculture sector across selected agribusiness value chains.
The bank has over the years become a critical player in agriculture funding to assist in the rollout of enhanced agriculture services.
The bank also has supports systems that augment the work of private extension in agriculture enterprise development.
Stanbic Bank Ghana is also working with its partners within the agribusiness sector to facilitate a $5.8 million funding for the construction of a cassava/starch processing factory in Jomoro in the Western Region of Ghana.


Meadow orchard in winter time
Summer time is harvest season.
This branch will bear tasty ripe cherries soon ...
Meadow orchard in full cherry blossom
Fruit-growing is like a generation pact. If every generation makes its contribution to the preservation and enrichment of the scattered fruit trees, the next generations will be able to gather fruits as well.
By the foundation of the LGKS in 2004 the scattered fruit trees had an average age of appx. 70 years. Thus we put an emphasis on the revitalization of the valuable orchard areas.
In order to ensure the preservation of the old tree stock for as long as possible, we are following a prudent tending strategy.
In the last years our scattered orchards were enriched by proven old varieties. All sorts are adapted to high altitudes, are frost-hardy and relatively resistant to diseases. This makes them especially suitable for the ecological fruit-growing. Lovers of tasty varieties can discover apples, pears, plums and, of course, cherries at LGKS.
Products processed from our sun-ripened cherries can be purchased at Farmers Delicacy.
More information and different offers dealing with meadow orchards at LGKS you can finde here (German).


Perfect as a general purpose potting soil for indoor and outdoor planting in containers and beds. Ready to use out of the bag. Recommended for houseplants, rooting cuttings, germinating seeds, bulbs, window boxes, and potted plants. Contains a dark blend of weed sedge peat and other materials, including starter and slow-release fertilizers to help plants thrive. Price: 7.99 for 50 lb. bag
Blocks weeds for 6 months. Mulch color lasts all year. Covers 12 square or 2 cubic feet. Comes in Russet Red or Midnight Black. Price: 5.39/Bag Ask for bulk pricing!
For use on your flower and vegetable gardens, shrubs and trees as a all-purpose fertilizer. comes in 40 lb. bags.
Price: 13-13-13 $22.99 10-10-10 $19.99


top of page
We started with 10 acres of barren land that had been depleted due to repeated crops of soybean of corn
Now, we have built
Waste composting system,
We are already full with students for this year.
If you really want to join us, then please contact us with details.
Watch this space in 2023 for our course offerings
Lend a hand! Join us to build more ecological models, we'd love to hear your ideas and work on projects that inspire and help improve our natural landscapes. For more information, feel free to reach out to our team anytime.
bottom of page


Many people believe that cotton is the best material as it helps conserve the environment. But the truth is that it depends on the type of cotton in question. Organic cotton is very different from regular cotton. Not just by how it is made, but its distribution is also very different.
Most of us wear cotton clothes. However, not many of us know the cotton type we wear. Knowing the differences between organic and regular cotton can help you make better choices and care for the environment. Learn more about these cotton types from this article.
What is Organic Cotton?
Organic cotton is grown organically. Farmers do not use harmful fertilizers or pesticides during the process. It’s why it is considered safe for the environment. Bear in mind that pesticides are harmful to natural water resources. Plus, they can destroy ecosystems.
Growing plants organically contributes to the sustainability of the environment. There are strict regulations for cotton labeled as organics. These laws prohibit farmers from using insecticides, pesticides, and fertilizers when growing.
Organic cotton has various uses in the clothing and textile industries. Instead of using regular cotton, clothing manufacturers can use organic cotton that has less impact on the environment.
Organic VS Regular Cotton: The Differences
Organic and regular cotton has several differences, which are:
Cotton grown in dryland is different from the irrigated one. Dryland cotton depends on rainfall to grow, while irrigated cotton relies on underground water sources. Most cotton worldwide is irrigated.
But while we will have cotton, irrigation uses groundwater, leading to a salt buildup in freshwater sources. However, rain-fed organic cotton doesn’t need much water from the natural ecosystem.
2. Purity of the Cotton
The purity levels are influenced by the cotton-picking method used. Farmers either handpick or machine-pick. Organic cotton is picked by hand, thus preserving the purity of the fibers. Plus, it ensures that the fibers aren’t damaged in the process.
On the other hand, regular cotton is machine picked because of the high demand. The fibers tend to lose purity and can sometimes get damaged. Since organic cotton has longer fibers, it is softer and high quality than regular cotton.
3. Farming and Weeding
Regular cotton is grown using GMO seeds that resist bugs. However, farmers will use pesticides and other chemicals when bugs attack. Organic cotton comes from natural seeds and doesn’t use harmful chemicals. Therefore, it is safe to use on the skin.
Also, regular cotton farmers use herbicides to kill weeds. These chemicals reduce crop quality and damage the soil. Plus, constant use can cause severe illnesses to farmers. On the other hand, farmers weed organic cotton using hands or hoeing.
Benefits of Organic Cotton Clothing
Clothing designs made of organic cotton offer various benefits. Organic cotton doesn’t use harmful chemicals during Production. Therefore, it is recommended for people with allergies and skin concerns.
Also, if you are starting your clothing industry, using organic cotton instead of regular cotton can be a unique selling point. Although organic cotton still uses up resources, it is better and kinder to the environment. Thus, using it for your clothing designs can promote sustainable fashion.
Organic cotton offers various benefits to the environment and our health. Thus, it’s the best fabric to use. So make the switch today and contribute to sustainable development. Plus, various reputable wholesale clothing vendors sell organic cotton. So, you will not struggle to find this material.
If you are looking for a custom clothing supplier, MGOO Fashion Apparel Co. Ltd is here for you. We are the best custom clothing manufacturer in China who can make custom t-shirts and hoodies using organic cotton and other fabrics you need.
If you want to know more about supima cotton or slub cotton, click to read more. We will take care of everything, including the logo design, to make your work easy. So, reach out to us if you need help making bulk clothes.


Premium Extra Virgin Olive Oil from Laconian Mani
Among carefully preserved stone towers and ancient churches, the olive trees of Nomia Estates have flourished for centuries. For generations, our family has been carefully tending to Mother Nature’s gift to us, sharing this one-of-a-kind Extra Virgin Olive Oil at the tables of friends and relatives.
We only use traditional handpicked methods – the olives are collected in nets that never touch the ground. Within a few hours, they are processed in state of the art machines in cold two-phase extraction with centrifuge separation to ensure the best possible quality without losing any of the rich nutritional properties.


Taste Delicious Greek Olive Oil on the Greek Island Lesvos
Greek Olive Oil is famous across the world, for its taste, versatility and numerous health benefits. Its virtues have been extolled for centuries and it’s said that it was Homer who first referred to it as Liquid Gold! In this article, we will be explaining about olive oil production on the authentic Greek Island of Lesvos and inspiring you to visit and sample the taste!
Lesvos’ Connection To Greek Olive Oil
The authentic Greek island of Lesvos isn’t just famous for tourism and ouzo, but also as home to over 11 million olive trees. That’s around 122 trees per inhabitant, that’s by far the largest number of olive trees per capita in the world!
There are three varieties of olive tree on the island and this combined with the climate and the soil quality produce the supreme quality and distinctive flavour.
Lesvos premium olive oil particularly has a light texture and low acidity, a golden colour (from the low chlorophyll content) and a rich aroma.
Many studies have been done into the health benefits of olive oil, especially extra virgin olive oil, which is highest in antioxidants and less processed. Olive oil is said to protect against heart disease as it controls bad cholesterol while raising good cholesterol. It also has strong anti-inflammatory effects and protects the digestive system.
The Creation of Olive Oil
Extra virgin olive oil is juice that comes from crushed olives. No chemicals are added and no industrial refining takes place. The best time to start the harvest is when the olives on the trees start to change colour from light green to dark green or black. This is usually around November on the island of Lesvos but depends on the weather that year.
The olives are harvested before rain and not when it’s raining and wet. Most olives are harvested by hand or by a method called assisted hand-picked. Nets are placed under trees and the branches are beaten with sticks so that the olives fall into the net.
Great care is taken not to crush the olives. They will often be transferred to the olive press the same day. Crushing them on the day they are harvested makes for the highest quality oil! The process needs to be done in a relatively cool place so olive presses are often found in dark, stone buildings.
No water is used as this would dilute the goodness! The olives are first washed, then crushed, and then the pulp is separated from the oil. The moment you see the best Greek olive oil flowing out from the press is a moment of pure joy!
Make sure you have some bread ready to dip in and sample this year’s harvest!


This is the moment ɑ hungry elephɑnt stood on its hind legs to pluck ɑ jɑckfruit from the top of ɑ 25ft tree in southern Indiɑ.
The elephɑnt wɑs filmed stretching out in the trees in Silent Vɑlley Nɑtionɑl Pɑrk in Pɑlɑkkɑd district in Kerɑlɑ stɑte eɑrlier this month.
Footɑge shows the elephɑnt reɑr up ɑnd grɑbbing the snɑck from its trunk while flɑpping its eɑrs to keep cool in the 93.2F (34C) heɑt.
The elephɑnt stɑnds by the tree, eɑting food on the ground, before looking up to gɑuge the fruit’s height.
The elephɑnt then stretched its hind legs up the tree with its mouth open, plɑcing its front legs on the trunk.
It stretched out its trunk to grɑb the fruit ɑnd breɑk it from the brɑnch, cɑusing it to fɑll to the ground, where the elephɑnt begɑn to eɑt it.
The Indiɑn elephɑnt, which cɑn grow to 11.5 feet tɑll ɑnd weigh 787 stones.


Researchers in the field of genetically-modified foods will announce in an up-coming issue of The Journal of Food Science a new breakthrough in the genetic technologies responsible for the growing of some of the basic fruits and vegetables we put on our table. These technologies will literally change the shape of the fruits and vegetables we put on our table every day. These shocking photos were first leaked to the blog “After These Messages”
The above gallery depicts three fruits which were candidates in the pilot project spearheaded by an undisclosed transnational fruit company. The banana depicted shows the true power of genetically-modification to add company logos as part of the new design of these fruits. This opens the door for future use of the banana peel for the sale of advertising space for humanitarian organisations like ChildFind. The next banana you eat might have pictures of missing children grown into the banana peel.
One also cannot deny that the shape of these fruits — like that of a cube or rectangular prism — makes it easy for companies to package and ship, and also make it easier for consumers to place in their grocery bags.
The same will be happening to other fruits and vegetables. Spokespeople for the food industry say that nature does not provide us with fruits and vegetables that come in shapes that are convenient for us to carry from the market. The strawberry, like the banana, has an irregular shape, and giving it a cubic shape results in less bruising during transport. While there still needs to be some care taken for the packaging, some care still needs to be taken, since these fruits are soft and fleshy. Researchers are working on a more dense fruit and also on a banana which can be harvested in the ripened state so that consumers need not wait for days to eat under-ripe bananas, a sore point which has hurt banana sales in the past.
Researchers have also changed the shape of kiwis into small prisms, roughly the size of kid’s drink boxes. With an added artistic flair, and to reduce processing costs, they have also found a way for kiwis to grow their own straws, greatly reducing manufacturing costs at the plant level. One disadvantage is that kiwis are apparently resistant to genetic modification of its outer surface for placement of things like the company logo or the product name. This is largely due to its fibrous exterior. Strawberries face the same problem, having seeds on its exterior.
Sources at various fruit growing companies such as Chiquita and Dole vehemently deny any attempt to change the shape of fruits, which they say are trusted products which consumers have been familiar with for generations.
Many thanks to After These Messages for the photoshopping of those photos.


As an ever-growing number of professional sports teams are struggling with training and game schedule interruptions due to weather conditions on grass playing fields. They’re starting to ask the question: could making the switch to artificial grass be the answer?
Recent weather extremes
We’re already familiar with drought challenges and trying to keep lawns green. Now, with the recent flooding and other La Nina-related extreme weather conditions, we’re having the opposite problem of too much water in some regions. This extends to sports teams having trouble finding fields in which to either practice or play.
The increasing popularity of artificial grass among sporting organisations is really leading the way as far as responsible water use. Switching to synthetic grass is one of the choices which can have the biggest positive impact in countrywide water conservation. The Weather Bureau has already warned us to prepare for warmer years coming up. Drought measures should be taken across the country, not just in the hardest-hit areas. Synthetic turf can save countless gallons of water annually over natural lawns. Just one square foot of lawn will need a lot of of water per year. In sporting arenas where grass commonly covers dozens of hectares, costs are typically in excess of $1 million per year just for watering. Think of the number of football fields, golf courses or race tracks there are across the country and a staggering picture adds up pretty quickly of just how much water we’re using to keep all those areas neat and green. Changes have to be made
Although we’ve had a wet year this year, the Bureau of Meteorology still warns us about upcoming rainfall deficiencies. Regardless of flooding, many areas of our country are still suffering lower-than-average rainfalls. The time to start planning for water-saving alternatives is right now. Artificial grass will save sports organizations both in water usage and maintenance costs. Installing synthetic turf will also eliminate loss-of-use time due to mud or standing puddles, because correct planning and installation of the material will reduce those kinds of drainage problems.
The bottom line is, natural grass needs a lot of water, and we’re a country which regularly faces drought. It just isn’t environmentally responsible to continue using natural lawns, and a decreased water supply will likely mean inflated watering costs over the next few years. Making the change to synthetic playing fields can save hundreds of thousands, and very likely millions, of gallons every year. We carry a responsibility to future generations to take care of this land and pass it on. We have the tools to be more conservative in our water use, so why not use them? Synthetic grass is already popular among Sunshine Coast residents; it can make an even greater impact if used by sports teams as well.


Model: 40 HC John Deere All Fuel
Serial #: 60258
Sale Price: $15,500.00
Comments: This is one of 35 high crop all fuel tractors produced. 1955 was the only year that the 40 high crop was produced with a total of 294 combined gas and all fuel produced. This 40 high crop has new tires all around. The restoration is very high quality. There has never been a list of 40 Hi-Crop tractors complied showing where this tractor was shipped to.


Planting begins with relative immaturity.
In gardening, maturity is the end product not the starting point. By this we mean that gardeners rarely plant a fully grown plant, they sow immaturity in the form of seeds and seedlings. In this case we're not using immaturity as a pejorative term but simply as a description that indicates what is being planted is not fully grown. We're also not suggesting gardeners plant recklessly, they are careful, planting at the right time and in the right place but they don’t wait for the seed to germinate before sowing or the seedling to reach full maturity before planting. If you think about it this would make no sense as the seed or seedling wouldn’t grow unless they are planted.
Being planted is a key to releasing maturity.
Applying this metaphor to leadership, our point is that leaders can make the mistake of waiting for those they are coaching and mentoring to reach an unrealistic level of competency and maturity before they release them to lead. A level of competency and maturity they themselves had not attained to when they were released. Setting the bar unrealistically high in this way slows down leadership development, in some cases arresting it completely. As a result leadership succession becomes a retirement strategy not a growth strategy.
Leaders as gardeners understand leadership succession is about growth, the growth of the individual leader and the growth of the community they lead (the two are inextricably linked). They are not afraid to release into leadership those they believe are ready and healthy albeit immature, giving them time to grow in the role as opposed to grow into the role, and to shape them on the job not for it.
Finally, there are two things gardeners do that we believe are profoundly important for leaders as gardeners.
They make space and they give time.
In shaping a garden, gardeners will often have to make space for younger plants to come through by repositioning or reducing the size of more mature, larger plants or repositioning younger plants to reduce the degree to which they have to compete with more established plants for light and nutrients. This could sound ageist but the point we're making is multi-generational leadership and leadership succession requires established leaders to adjust, to make room for those emerging alongside them and to positively encourage them to occupy space they themselves have previously occupied - even if this means they have to get out of the way! And in the process to see themselves as complementing not competing. The challenge this presents and the anxiety any sense of “passing the baton” creates for existing leaders should not be underestimated. Above all else it requires maturity and security in the hearts of established leaders so they are not threatened by emerging leaders but see it as their role to accelerate the growth of those who come after them, understanding that success looks like succession.
Having planted “healthy immaturity” gardeners then do something very powerful – they wait, they give what they have planted not only space, they give it time. It strikes me gardeners are inherently patient people. Having planted they wait patiently because they know growth, maturity and fruitfulness are only a matter of time. More than that they don’t interfere with what they’ve planted. They don’t keep digging it up to check on its progress. Leaders as gardeners know how to recognise and release, to delegate and coach. In the process they don’t abdicate but neither do they meddle. They give space and time for those they have released to learn through growing and grow through learning. Unfortunately for many leaders delegation equals remote control; effective delegation is key to leadership development.
As we look ahead into the next century, leaders will be those who empower others.
The function of leadership is to produce more leaders, not more followers.