2012, the foundation De Bildtse Aardappelweken organised for the second time the “Bildtse Potatoweeks”. In 2008, the International Year of the Potato” was the first version.
The province of Fryslân, of which het Bildt is one of the counties, is the hard-land of the Dutch seed-potato production. The potatoes are exported to very many countries all over the world, feeding many people with an high nutritional value using only a small amount of fresh water. Goal is to inform the consumer about where his food is coming from, but also colleagues and businesses about how the modern agricultural farms are run.
With an unorthodox presentation: different aspects of farming in combination with art, visitors get to know the farming-world. Between worlds that normally spoken do not meet each other: the agricultural and art world, a cross-over begins. Because the presentations are presented next to each other both worlds attract a different audience.
ART-EXHIBITIONS AND EXHIBITIONS ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL IMPORTANCE OF THE “POTATO WORLDWIDE”
The exhibitions are shown on 6 different farms in the county. Next year the art is coming from both local artists and Irish (Dublin area). Please look for the names of the artists and locations in the chapter: tentoonstellingen.
This symposium is meant solely for the seedpotato-farmers, the seedpotato-business and -organisations and governmental institutions. From the first symposium we learned that also the agricultural press is very interested in our program.
The theme of our symposium is “The potato worldwide”. Ireland is traditionally one the European potato-countries. The circumstances under which our potatoes grow and are traded are comparable to those in Ireland.
MEET AND GREET WITH FARMERS
Farming families in the area invite you to come to visit their farms and join them for the lunch.
MARKET OF LOCAL PRODUCTS
Under the label “Waddengoud” a group of producers of high qualified local products joined together and present themselves, with local producers, in a product market.
Films with a connection to the themes from the Netherlands and Ireland are shown. Also a contest of beginning, still studying, professional filmmakers is part of the festival.
PERFORMANCE AND JOURNEY THROUGH THE FIELD
Visitors are welcomed in a potato-warehouse and will be confronted with the questions of young people: do I leave or can I stay and how can I make a living in the rural area today and in the future? Part of the performance is a journey through the fields in which the story of Brendaan, who made a journey in the 10th century across the Atlantic Ocean, is the lead.
Primary school children together will make at school under the lead of an artist a round panorama-painting of the area.
Foto’s Bildtse Aardappelweken
Toekomst telers pootgoed ’t Bildt lijkt gunstig
Nostalgische ode aan de aardappel
Voorstelling Drie Morgen
Bildtse akkerbouw promoot aardappel en kunst
Bildtse Aardappelweken 2012


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what is called photosynthesis?
7 answers from our tutors
It is a process by which plants and other organisms use to convert light energy into chemical energy. Plants make their food by using the process of photosynthesis.
Plants need: carbon dioxide, water and sunlight for photosynthesis.The process of photosynthesis is when the energy from the sunlight is absorbed by the choloroplast, water is used and oxygen is then produced.
Well, "photo" comes from Greek and means "light". I guess it's because the plants need light in order to make this "synthesis" from which they fed.
Photosynthesis is a process in which plants use sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to make their own food, and also to create oxygen and energy which is sugar.
Photosynthesis is the process by which plants use sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to create oxygen and energy.
Photosynthesis is that process takes place when the light creates the green part of our greenery.
It's a process through which plants, trees & the whole greeen world prepares its food in the presence of water, air & sunlight. It's a scientific process having its own chemical equation too.


Connecticut's Destination for Family Fun!
WHAT IS A CSA?
Community Supported Agriculture is a program that directly links local farmers and the consumer. Consumers pre-purchase a share of the farm’s harvest for the upcoming season. This allows for the farmer to better plan the amount needed for the community thereby lowering waste and costs. CSA members share the risk with the farmer which in turn reduces seasonal loans and cost.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?
There are many benefits to participating in a CSA. Some are listed here below:
HOW IT WORKS?
You the consumer purchase a share. Shares are available in full or half sizes. Your share entitles you to a wide variety of vegetables each week which you will pick-up at the farm. The items will be the in season item from that week. For an example a late spring box might include lettuce, radishes and scallions while a box in the early fall might contain tomatoes, winter squash and corn. Contents of the box will be based on retail price of the product and will have the equivalent of $31.25 in weekly produce for a full share and $15.65 in a half share of weekly produce. Multiple shares may be purchased to accommodate larger families or sharing with family and friends.
2016 Bunnell Farm CSA Information
Full Share – 16 weeks – $500
Half Share – 16 weeks – $250
Flower Share – 10 weeks – $100
*choose either pick your own bouquets or already cut bouquets*
One pick-up day and one location must be chosen and cannot be switched through the season
Wednesdays and Saturdays from 2-6pm
Location choices are either:


pompano its kind of fish i dont know what is in tagalog or bisaya..i need ASAP,answer..thank you.. Grouper fishes are great source of vitamins and minerals. INTRODUCTION TO HYDROPONIC GARDENING:
One can get excellent profits... Mango flower and fruit drop cause, control methods: Well, guys if you know how to control mango flower and fruit drop, you can get... Pomegranate Farming Project Report:
Today, let us learn about making of Panchagavya and Panchagavya Preparation steps. Low-cost agriculture business ideas: Agricultural business broadly covers the farming of several crops and livestock. thanking you, I want to raise grouper in 500 gallon tanks in my basement. Fishing is an important source of livelihood for many Filipinos. Organic cultivation is a crop production process respecting the rules of nature and it maximizes the use of farm resources... Introduction: Hello farmers, we have great information for you about hydroponic tomato farming in India and the complete process of growing hydroponic tomatoes. Introduction of Grouper Fish:- Grouper is one of marine fishes belongs to the genus of “Epinephelus”. INTRODUCTION TO MUSHROOM FARMING PROJECT REPORT:
Another option when fishing for grouper is light tackle fishing Bahamas. Ang teksto puyde magamit ubos sa Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; puyde madugangan ang mga termino.Tan-awa ang Mga Termino sa Paggamit para sa mga detalye. The taste of grouper fish is better than Murrel (sneak head) fish. Mushrooms are a type of fungi, which are consumed as food.
Introduction of Oats:- Oat is primarily cultivated for fodder crop as well as grain crop. Moreover, the... Cattle Feed Management:
You can also steam or poach if preferred. Once fry or fingerlings reach 15 to 20 cm in total length, they should be transferred and stocked in net cages or brackish water ponds. Seed Treatment and Its Importance:
In the olden times they… Poultry feed is food for farm poultry, including chickens, ducks, quail, and... How to get Poultry License in India: Are you planning to start poultry business of your own? Today, let us get into details of Prawn Aquaculture Practices and Expenses involved in Prawn culture. The following information is about Drumstick Farming Project Report (Moringa). Mr. Reddy was born in farmer's family and was into 'IT' profession where he was not happy with his activities. Where are Aloe plants from? Save my name and email in this browser for the next time I comment. The export market for grouper is rapidly increasing specially in in Hong Kong, and Singapore, Japan.
The Sun Melon... Greenhouse Farming FAQ:
Bonsai Tree Care, Tips, Ideas, Soil, Watering, Design, Fish Meal Organic Fertilizer Making, Uses, Composition, Chrysanthemum Farming in Polyhouse for Maximum Profits, Organic Pigeon Pea Farming – Red Gram, Toor or Arhar, Ebb and Flow Hydroponics, Advantages, Disadvantages, Groundnut Oil Making Process (Peanut), Business Plan, Gir Cow Farming, Cost and Profit Information, Panchagavya Preparation, Benefits, Uses in Agriculture, Organic Maize Farming, Cultivation Practices (Corn), Low-cost Agriculture Business Ideas for Beginners, Organic Fertilizer Production Project Report, Cost, Profits, Aquaponics Faq, System Information For Beginners, Drip Irrigation Vs Sprinkler Irrigation Farming, Pre-Planting Tasks; Post-Planting Tasks in Agriculture, Coconut Farming; Planting, Growing, Care, Harvesting, Maturity of Fruits and Vegetables-A Beginners Guide, Papaya Farming Techniques, Cultivation Tips – A Full Guide, Seed Treatment Information Guide for Beginners, Guava Grafting Methods; Pruning Methods; Training, Organic Dates Farming, And Cultivation Practices, Grape Plant Grafting Methods; Pruning and Training, Vermicompost Production Information Guide, Mango Flower and Fruit Drop, Causes, Control Methods, Pomegranate Farming Project Report, Cost, Profit Analysis, Jamun Farming Information (Indian Black Plum), Terrace Gardening (Rooftop Gardening) Information, Sapota Pests, Diseases (Chiku/Sapodilla), Control Methods, Greenhouse Farming FAQ Information For Beginners, Cashew Nut Farming Project Report, Cost and Profit, Lemon Flower and Fruit Drop, Causes, Control Methods, Organic Mango Farming, Cultivation Practices, Meat Goat farming information Guide in India, Sheep Feed Formulation, Rations, Ingredients Guide, Poultry License in India, Poultry Permission, Guidelines, Fish Pond Design and Construction Plan For Beginners, Sheep Fattening Business Plan, Methods, Techniques, Starting a Broiler Chicken Farm Business in India, Successful Poultry Farming Tips, Techniques, Ideas, Sheep Farming in Rajasthan, Loan, Subsidy Guide, Pangasius Fish Farming (Basa Fish), Cultivation Practices, Starting a Goat Farming Business For Beginners, Prawn Aquaculture, Eocomics, Business Plan, Kuroiler Chicken Breed Profile, and Characteristics, Quail Hatching – Housing, Management Guide, Poultry Farm Subsidy, NABARD, PVCF Schemes in India, Wallago Attu Fish Farming; Wallago Attu Cultivation, Organic Rabbit Farming – Production, Raising Practices, Cattle Feed Information Guide for Beginners, How To Make Silage For Dairy Cattles – A Complete Guide, Curry Leaf Farming Project Report, Cost, Profits Guide, Cauliflower Farming (Ghobi) Information Guide, Beans Farming, Planting, Care, Yield, Harvesting, Greenhouse Growing Problems For Beginners, Hydroponic Spinach Farming, Growing Tips, Tomato Profit Per Acre, Cost of Cultivation, Yield In India, Hydroponic Mushroom Farming – Production, Cultivation, Organic Chilli Cultivation (Peppers/Mirchi), Farming Process, Hydroponic Tomato Farming, Nutrient Solution, Yield, Hydroponic Gardening Techniques, Basics, and Ideas, Organic Okra Farming (Bhindi/Lady Finger), Cultivation, Types Of Mulching, Advantages of Mulching In Farming, Bitter Gourd Project Report, Cultivation Cost, Profit (Karela), Growing Green Peas In Containers (Matar) Information, Growing Tomatoes Organically, Cultivation Practices, Vegetable Seed Germination, Sowing Time – A Full Guide, Hydroponic Farming FAQ Information For Beginners, Capsicum Farming in Polyhouse (Bell Pepper) for Profit, Sorghum Cultivation Income (Jowar), Yield, Project Report, Custard Apple Cultivation Income, Yield, Project Report, Prawn Farming Project Report, Cost, Profits Guide, Marigold Cultivation Income, Yield, Project Report, Mung Bean Cultivation Income (Green Gram), Profits, Stevia Cultivation Project Report, Cost and Profit, Okra Farming Cost, Profits (Bhindi) – A Project Report, 10000 Layer Farming Project Report For Beginners, Wheat Cultivation Income, Profit, Yield, Proejct Report, Coffee Farming Project Report, Cost, Profits Analysis, Black Gram Cultivation Income (Urad Dal) – A Full Guide, Maize Cultivation Income (Corn), Cost, Yield, Profit, Sesame Cultivation Income, Yield, Project Report, Profits, Chickpea Cultivation Income (Bengal Gram), Project Report, Plant Nursery Project Report for Bank Loan in India, Rohu Fish Farming Project Report, Economics of Rohu, Onion Cultivation Income, Project Report, Yield, Profits, Organic Vegetable Farming Income, Profit, Cost, Yield, Ginger Cultivation Project Report, Farming Economics, Sheep Farming Questions and Answers For Beginners, Container Gardening Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ), Frequently Asked Questions About Olive Farming (FAQs), Dairy Farming FAQ Information For Beginners, Poultry Questions And Answers For Beginners, Frequently Asked Questions About Vegetable Farming, Frequently Asked Questions About Saffron Farming, Frequently Asked Questions About Aloe Vera Farming, Organic Farming FAQ Information For Beginners, Frequently Asked Questions About Gardening (FAQs), Frequently Asked Questions About Pearl Farming, Frequently Asked Questions About Fertilizers (FAQs), Frequently Asked Questions About Goat Farming (FAQs), Frequently Asked Questions About Dragon Fruit Farming, Frequently Asked Questions About Farming, Agriculture, Frequently Asked Questions About Shrimp(Prawn) Farming, Fish Farming FAQ Information For Beginners, Borewell Drilling Cost, Pump Price, and Pipe Cost, Polyhouse Subsidy, Cost, Profit, Project Report, Tractor Subsidy, Bank Loan, Eligibility, Schemes, Process, Malabar Neem Project Report Details Guide, Cold Storage Project Report, Cost and Subsidy, Mushroom Farming Project Report, Cost and Profit Analysis, Biofloc Fish Farming Advantages; Training in India, Teak Wood Farming (Sagwan), Planting, Care, Harvesting, Most Profitable Crops; High Profit Cash Crops In India, Drumstick Farming Project Report (Moringa), Cost and Profit, Government Schemes for Goat Farming Loan, Subsidy, Gir Cow Milk Per Day, Gir Cow Price, Gir Cow Facts. Seed germination of vegetable and sowing times
The following is all about 10000 Layer Farming Project of commercial poultry farming business. What are the pre-planting operations? You want to be a successful farmer? Stevia Rebaudiana is a plant... Okra Farming Cost and Profits for 1 Acre Cultivation
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Into a hole in a reef and wait Treatment for any Agricultural crop cm in to! Asian countries Kitang ( Tagalog, Ilokano, Bisaya ) Garopa Kaltang Kigting Kulapo Lubo Sigapo Lutjanus erythropterus region. As long as 50 years ), so it is one of marine fishes belongs the. And sowing times seed germination is the one of marine fishes belongs to the genus of Epinephelus. Can expect a survival rate of 85-90 % in the Visayas and Mindanao region of the Benefits! Today we are presenting Greenhouse Farming FAQ ; Disadvantages, and quickly to... Export market for grouper is one of the most profitable tuber crops cultivated in India, until now naturally. The decomposition of Organic material ( plant and/or animal origin ) by earthworms get decent profits in grouper fish with. Grapes belonging to the genus of “ Epinephelus ”: Feeding the Cattle is popular... 4 weeks earlier session x 100 m with 1 to 1.5 meter depth, games, matching quizes! To come back to Farming, agriculture sector as a farmer and writer a kind of fish Organic... Sea bass Treatment for any Agricultural crop about Bisaya 8 out for the next i. Breeding of groupers has started in India, until now, naturally collected seed from wild waters serving! Agri Farming has a very good amount of information, you guys are doing very well to. On startup and cost early in the Visayas and Mindanao region of the members melon. Are also some Bisaya living in Kampung Manunggang, Sabah - What is Geopolitics x 100 m 100... A Goat Farming business plan in place are asking Questions about Dairy: the information! And Maize Project Report ) for the Visayan people and lovers of the health Benefits of grouper culture. In Hong Kong, and quickly return to their lair crop from the Fabaceae family not putting. Of various food and sport fishes of the Atlantic coast of the coast! Poultry Farming Tips, Techniques Today, let us discuss the topic of successful Poultry Farming,! Mushroom... Biofloc fish Farming: - grouper fish Farming: - Constant water monitoring is required for quality! Lapu-Lapu ( Tagalog, Ilokano, Bisaya mostly live near the Beaufort district, the Padas River Kuala! With concrete blocks and should be fed with trash fish meter depth for many..


A County Agricultural Inspector must be appointed by law for each of Minnesota’s 87 counties by the Board of Commissioners. These inspectors also assist the Minnesota Department of Agriculture with laws regarding seeds, feeds, fertilizers, pesticides, and plant pests.
Minnesota Noxious Weed Law
Noxious Weeds refers to growing plants. Some plants are noxious because they can harm people, animals, the food we eat, and nature. Minnesota Department of Agriculture and county officials inspect land and ask owners to destroy their noxious weeds. Destroying them stops them from spreading and harming neighbors. Land owners that refuse to destroy their noxious weeds can be forced to do so.
Cook County Invasives Team
The purpose of the CCIT is to encourage and formalize the cooperative relationship necessary for effective management, coordination and implementation of invasive terrestrial, aquatic and plant species programs among interested parties.


Cultivated varieties of carrots can be shades of orange, yellow, purple and white. Their flesh is snappy and crisp. Their flavors, quintessentially earthy and sweet with notes of celery. Though carrots are most often found trimmed of their thin, dill-like foliage, their greens are equally edible.
DID YOU KNOW...
Carrots provide the highest content of vitamin A of all the vegetables. Brightly orange colored carrots contain the pigments known as carotenoids and flavonoids, two important phytochemicals and natural bioactive compounds found in plant foods that provide several antioxidant benefits and defenses against cancer.
Carrots will keep for up to several weeks when refridgerated, a unique method to prolonge them even longer is to pack them with moist sand and store in a cool but not freezing area.


Summer is here! It’s time to transform your Garden…!
Summer is in full swing with blossoms and buds everywhere, and soon you’ll be deep in compost. If you have a passion for gardening, make sure your garden reflects it and for that you must know if your garden beds are mature to grow everything you desire and how you must sow each seed.
Your ideas of practicing gardening might have changed from what you’ve done the previous year, but this year you’ll want to keep things organized as how to arrange vegetables or you would like to add a new garden bed. To help you arrange your garden or fertilize it properly, you ought to buy a garden journal. It’ll work as an indispensable tool for you for the years to come.
The best among all the garden binders and journals I’ve seen, UniKeep Garden Journal is the one I choose for my garden planning and will definitely suggest it to others who have a passion for gardening as well. It’s an inexpensive way to keep track of your plants and their specific details. This garden journal saves a lot of time and would also guide you about gardening.
Whether you want to write about transplant dates, seed start, weather trends, seed germination, various characteristics of emergence of blossoms, or even the good companion plants for your garden, you can log everything in this garden journal. We all have the tendency to forget the minor details of gardening, especially, what type of fertilizers we applied to each plant and when did we last applied them, our observation throughout each season, and dates of harvest; all this can be saved in this case binder.
Garden journal stores all your gardening drawings, receipts, tags, and more. Photo sheets are included in three different sizes along with tab dividers to classify and secure your gardening papers. You can divide the sheets into monthly sections and even add seed packets and pictures of crops.
With the UniKeep garden journal, I can now keep my garden expenses completely organized.
So transform your garden into a blossoming one today!
“The more one gardens, the more one learns, And the more one learns, the more one realizes how little one knows.” Vita Sackville-West


The history of the lawn is distinctly of the 1%. It is also a terribly destructive practice in regards to biodiversity, pollution, rainwater absorption, pesticide and herbicide application, and more. The concept upon which the modern day lawn is based on a practice that began among the English elite as a way to flaunt their wealth by demonstrating their ability to “waste” their property by having inedible ornamental gardens (much of which was highly maintained grass, as you may have guessed) instead of using it for growing fruits and vegetables as the common people had to out of need. Make this day a day to be remembered by tearing up a section of your lawn and planting some of your own favorite fruits, vegetables, and herbs. If possible, use a spot that is visible to the public to help encourage others to do the same. Invite your friends, make it an event going from house to house as a group transforming the neighborhood.
Agent Orange corn is a new type of genetically engineered corn from Dow, and it’s engineered to be resistant to 2,4-D — a component of Agent Orange. It has not been tested enough to prove it is safe for our health or the environment.
Companies like Dow keep developing new, stronger chemicals to beat new herbicide-resistant weeds. The stronger the chemical, the more damage it does to the environment, not to mention people who consume traces of it with their food. We can’t let Agent Orange end up on our food. Urge the USDA not to approve Agent Orange corn!
by Anthony Gucciardi
In a major victory for public health and what will hopefully lead to other nations taking action, a French court decided today that GMO crops monster Monsanto is guilty of chemically poisoning a French farmer. The grain grower, Paul Francois, says he developed neurological problems such as memory loss and headaches after being exposed to Monsanto’s Lasso weedkiller back in 2004. The monumental case paves the way for legal action against Monsanto’s Roundup and other harmful herbicides and pesticides made by other manufacturers. Continue »»»»


On October 21, 2015, our 6th graders at Thompson Middle School went on a field trip to a local family owned farm in Thompson called Fort Hill Farms. Every year the farm creates an agricultural adventure with their corn maze with a different theme. The 2015 Corn Maze Adventure at Fort Hill Farms celebrated this year with a celestial theme and created a “Milky Way” themed maze. This tied in nicely with the unit our 6th graders were learning about in science. Our unit in class included learning about the galaxy, solar system and the Milky Way. As the students entered the maze, they were given a game sheet and had to search for clues among the corn stalks to complete their sheet. Working closely with the owner Mrs. Orr, we were also able to have an astronomer volunteer to join our class at the farm and give a 40 minute hands-on lesson to our 6th graders. This was such a great added educational experience for them.
We were able to wrap up our visit with lunch at the farm and purchase their locally made Farmer’s Cow ice cream if we chose. It was a great day for our 6th graders filled with many memories and learning adventures.


Fall Harvest Is Best
October 18, 2016
Planning a visit to the wine country? There’s no better time to drink in all California has to offer than during harvest season. The weather’s getting a little cooler, the grapes are ripe for the picking and everywhere you turn, the streets are hustling and bustling with fall festivities. So before you load up, get the low down on California harvest season.
Harvest spans several months, from August through October, because different grapes ripen at different rates. Choosing when to harvest is the single most important decision a winemaker can make to ensure their wine reaches its full potential. Picking too early produces wines with higher acidity, lower alcohol and earthier aromas. Picking later can result in a lower acidity, increased sweetness and a more subdued tannin level.
Regardless of harvest month, all grapes are harvested at night, hence the term “under a harvest moon.” During the harvest moon, the temperature drops, preserving the quality of the grapes. The sugar levels in the grapes stabilize and their acidity becomes more neutral. Plus, as the sun fades, the grapes are gradually and naturally chilled, which eliminates the need to pre-cool them prior to pressing. Once plucked and pressed, the grapes are prepped for fermentation and then transported to thousands of wineries across 58 countries.
Whether you favor red, white or blush, Harvest season has plenty to offer and even more to pour over. So, if you’re in the area, pop by and of course, pop one open for us.
Have you visited during California’s Harvest Season? Tell us about your experience in the comments.


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The discussion and guidelines provided in this article assume "GDDs from planting". If your seed company rates their hybrids "from emergence", you need to add about 115 GDDs to the hybrid's rating to account for the GDDs required from planting to emergence. Consequently, you can be led astray by the Tool if you do not modify the "Black Layer GDDs" value in the Tool's input area. 1 for a 112-day hybrid with a default GDD rating of 2691 planted in Tippecanoe Co. Screen capture of U2U GDD Tool graphical display of historical and estimated future GDD accumulations and predicted corn development stages for a 112-day hybrid planted May 31 in Tippecanoe County, IN. on May 31 indicates the hybrid would mature on or about October 27, almost a week after the average first killing 28F freeze. Corny Trivia: Frost often develops on exposed leaf surfaces at temperatures of 32F or slightly higher and can cause significant leaf injury or death, but the corn plant usually remains alive and capable of remobilizing non-structural carbohydrates from the stalk tissues to the immature grain.
The following simple calculator can be used to quickly estimate the adjusted GDD requirements of a hybrid in response to delayed planting.
The graph depicts the estimates of silking and black layer dates for the 112-day hybrid planted on May 31, as well as the range of the estimates.
When you are viewing the actual graph on the Web site, estimates of GDD accumulations at specific dates "pop up" when you hover your computer mouse over parts of the line graph.
Interestingly, it appears that hybrids mature in fewer GDDs than predicted when planted "late".
Based on research we conducted some years ago (Nielsen et al., 2002), hybrids planted later than about May 1 mature approximately 6.8 fewer GDDs for every day of delay beyond May 1, through at least the 2nd week of June (the latest planting dates we evaluated in the research).


Take the summer off – from fertilizing, that is. Volusia County’s summertime fertilizer ban begins June 1 and continues through Sept. 30. During this time, residents and lawn care companies may not apply nitrogen or phosphorus to lawns and landscape plants.
Volusia County’s fertilizer ordinance includes these provisions:
- The application of fertilizers containing phosphorus is prohibited at all times unless a soil or plant-tissue deficiency is verified.
- The application of fertilizers containing nitrogen is prohibited from June 1 through Sept. 30 of each year.
- Fertilizer containing nitrogen may be applied only between Oct. 1 and May 31 and must contain at least 50 percent slow-release nitrogen.
- Fertilizer may not be applied within 15 feet of water bodies.
The ordinance applies to all homes and businesses, except in Deltona, which has its own fertilizer ordinance. Homeowners should check with their lawn care companies to make sure they are following the ordinance. Gardens and the application of compost are exempt.
Excess nutrients from fertilizer runoff can cause algae blooms and fish kills, which can kill seagrass, a key regulator of water quality and a food source for manatees.
The Volusia County Council passed the fertilizer ordinance in 2014 to protect the county’s springs and surface waters, particularly the Indian River Lagoon, where algae blooms and animal deaths have raised concerns in recent years.
Volusia County’s Environmental Management Division recommends these Florida-friendly lawn care practices during the summer:
- Pump some iron. Use Florida-friendly yard products that contain iron or other micronutrients to green up your lawn.
- Get better dirt. Give your garden a boost by adding compost. Try organic soil amendments such as leaves, mulch and compost.
- Pick better plants. Native and Florida-friendly plants require less fertilizer, water and overall care.
- Keep the clippings. Leave grass clippings on the lawn. They can supply up to 50 percent of the nitrogen your grass needs.
Local garden centers offer a variety of summer-safe yard products to help keep landscapes green and growing throughout the summer. Look for fertilizers that start with two zeros (such as 0-0-6) on the label; these do not contain nitrogen or phosphorus.
For more information about fertilizing like a Floridian and Florida-friendly lawn care practices, visit www.befloridiannow.org or contact Christie Miller at email@example.com.
For information about fertilizer use and soil testing, call the University of Florida/Volusia County Extension at (386) 822-5778 or visit www.volusia.org/fertilizer.


Vanda (VAN-duh) or Ascocentrum (as-koh-SEN-trim)
Vandas are large plants that need full sun. Ascocentrums are smaller, and need a little less sun. These come in blues, purples, whites, reds, oranges, and yellows.
These need sun, warmth, and high humidity.
Provide lots of water and fertilizer. In the summer, Vandas need to be watered daily.
Give them less water and fertilizer during winter dormancy.
Both kinds dislike repotting, and are often grown bare-root, without potting material. They can also be grown in small hanging baskets with their roots hanging out in the air.


A complete feed for pullets from 8 to 14 weeks of age.
You can expect pullets to consume 95 grams of feed per bird each day.
In the growing period from 8 to 14 weeks of age you can expect each bird to consume a total of approximately 4 kilograms of feed.
For laying hens in a home flock.
Superior layer pellet
View full product details →
Suitable for laying hens in a commercial flock. Also suitable for a home flock where...
Quality sliced corn sourced from Queensland.
Copyright @2014 - KensingtonProduce.com.au


Haboob, meaning blasting or drifting in Arabic, is a type of intense sand storm. This storm is known to occur in the southern part of the Sahara Desert, more specifically North Sudan.These storms are caused by strong winds, creating a wave or wall of dust that can reach a height of 1000 meters or 3,000 feet. Haboobs deposit large amounts of sand, dust, and other debris while passing. In the past few years, haboobs have occurred more frequently, burying villages and fields of valuable crops in their wake.
Recently, haboobs haven’t been the only environmental issues plaguing Sudan. North Africa’s temperatures have been soaring. The number of days with extremely high temperatures has doubled since the 1970s. Moreover, Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry and the Cyprus Institute in Nicosia state that summer temperatures in these region could increase twice as fast as the average global warming will. In addition, rainfall has become less reliable and the number of floods has risen, worsening agricultural and living conditions. Drought has left 80 percent of Sudan’s population without access to water and the land unworkable.
Desertification has become a major environmental issue in Sudan which has become one of the most food-insecure countries in the world. The Sudanese government released the “National Adaption Plan” in July of 2016 to limit desertification. Part of the plan includes farming new, improved crop varieties and installing irrigation technologies, etc. In addition, local people are being taught how to plant trees and wells are being made. Nevertheless, Sudan lacks the funding needed to make changes that will help it overcome its environmental crisis. As conditions worsen, time is of the essence in combatting environmental issues in Sudan.


A South American farming company backed by investors including George Soros aims to sell grain to Mexico and oust US farmers, undermining Donald Trump as he grapples with NAFTA negotiations and tariffs, it has emerged.
“The US last year sold $17.7bn worth of agricultural products to Mexico, the top destination for American corn, rice and dairy exports. Mexico buys 98 per cent of its corn imports from the US, according to International Trade Centre calculations,” says the FT.
“Most states in the US Midwestern farm belt voted for Mr Trump. Yet the agriculture sector has fretted over his trade policies, sending him a letter that noted the “industry — and the rural communities that depend on it — relies heavily on export markets to sustain prices and revenues”. Cargill’s chief executive last week warned against new curbs on global trade.
Where is the Trump counter attack plan? Where is the plan to put tariffs on all food imports to ensure farmers can sell more corn and rice in the USA? Or to award huge food contracts based on corn to farmers to supply the US army or federal agencies? Or find new export markets for corn? Or stop Soros from selling to Mexico by putting up bureaucratic hurdles?
The Pentagon needs to wise up to the real enemies of the USA and work out a strategy for economic and financial warfare.


Titan 05 7" Fasteners - 6 Sets with Connecting Pins
Description: Heavy Duty hinged belt fasteners suitable for round baler belts.
Fasteners and staples in stainless steel.
The fastener is particularly suitable for use in extreme crop conditions such as silage or high density hay baling.
Replacement connecting pins are available and should be replaced every 750 to 1000 bales.
Minimum Belt Thickness: 3/16" (5mm)
Maximum Belt Thickness: 9/32" (7mm)
Maximum Working Belt Tension: 360 PIW (65N/mm)
Pin Diameter: 1/8" (3mm)
Minimum Pulley Diameter: 3-3/16" (80mm)
|Minimum Belt Thickness:
|Maximum Belt Thickness:
|Maximum Working Belt Tension:
||360 PIW (65N/mm)
|Minimum Pulley Diameter:


Date of Award
Master of Science (Biological Sciences)
School of Science
The Ericaceae in South West Australia contains species with difficult to germinate seeds, including many species with deep intractable dormancy. A better understanding of seed biology and species specific dormancy, and germination mechanisms is required to overcome these difficulties. Land clearing, salinity and disease has resulted in over 125 species within 15 genera being listed as rare, highly restricted, threatened and endangered (Western Australian Herbarium 1998–). The present study examined the seed biology of eight species of Ericaceae native to Western Australia, exploring fruit and seed morphology, dormancy and germination. Cold and warm stratification was used in combination with gibberellic acid to classify dormancy. Among the two distinct fruit types that occur within the Ericaceae separate patterns of dormancy were found. Seeds held within a dehiscent capsule were found to possess non-deep and intermediate physiological dormancy whilst those within an indehiscent drupe possessed physiological and morphophysiological dormancy. Oxygen and nitric oxide enriched atmospheres, removal of seeds from endocarps and propagation from cuttings provided potential avenues for the propagation of study species.
Just, M. (2018). Seed morphology, dormancy and germination of South-West Australian Ericaceae. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/2051


What is Aquaponics?
Simply put, Aquaponics is the combination of hydroponics (growing plants in a soil-less, nutrient rich solution) and aquaculture (growing fish). It takes the best of both these
worlds, and produces a far superior vegetable yield in a fraction of
the time. This without using any chemicals, AND using less energy than a
light bulb. Attach one of our solar panels to your system and you are
producing food "off-the-grid" in your own backyard. No
matter what the price of oil or electricity becomes, you have the
incredible satisfaction of sustainably growing your own fish for
protein, and organic vegetables for health.
Here's how Aquaponics works
The problem with conventional Hydroponics
food and excrete ammonia. Certain naturally occurring bacteria then eat
the ammonia and produce nitrites, then nitrates. Plants connected to
the system then absorb the nitrates and experience explosive growth due
nutrient-rich (nitrogen) water absorption. While doing this, the plants
the water (a natural bio-filter). The clean water
then goes directly back into the fish tank ready to be "re-fertilized".
It is a closed loop system in which all you add is fish food. It's that
simple. Ever looked at what natural fertilizer is made of?
In Hydroponics, nutrient-rich water is delivered to the vegetables and plants by some method of synthetic irrigati
The solution is usually delivered to the plants with some sort of pump
that produces the mixture to the roots of the plants. Excess
nutrient solution is usually drained back into a reservoir which is
periodically emptied, the old nutrient solution discarded, and a fresh
nutrient solution re-mixed. This is time consuming and very expensive.
Additionally, water and nutrients are wasted. Why does this need to
happen? The plants deplete the nutrients in the solution as part of their normal growth. This
is one of the main problems with Hydroponics. It is not sustainable in
that you must keep adding nutrients to keep the cycle going.
The problem with conventional Aquaculture
In Aquaculture fish are raised in ponds, lakes, or tanks from when
they are young "fingerlings" until they grow to a size that is suitable
for consumption. After they are fed, their waste passes
into the water which contains very high concentrations of ammonia and
nitrites, which are toxic to the fish. To combat the build up of these
toxic chemicals, the water in the tank is either passed through an
expensive filter or just dumped out. Depending on the size of the tank
and the fish, this can result in a substantial waste of time and water.
Again, the problem with this practice is that continually adding fresh
water to replaced the waste water requires large resource inputs and
energy. It too is not sustainable.
An Aquaponic System simply duplicates what nature does, in a
controlled environment. With one of our turn-key systems, fish waste rich with
nutrients, are gently pumped out of the fish tank and into a plant
trough and then drained back into the fish tanks. The plants absorb the
rich nutrients and filter the water for the fish. With an ebb and flow"system, the cycle of the water flowing through the system
repeats itself several times each day keeping the roots moist and
aerated. With a "deep raft" or constant flow" system, water is pumped
and drained (cycled) continuously.
That's how nature does it. This happens using very little energy. In
fact, less than a single 45 watt light bulb. Hook that to a small solar
panel and you are off-the-grid and totally self-reliant.
The net results are large quantities of food, high in plant nutrients and protein, grown in your backyard using little or no energy.


|Early morning in a Ugandan tea field|
Farmers can choose among many different ways of certifying their crops. In the past, I have discussed well-known certifications, including Organic and Fair-trade, as well as less well-known ones, such as Certified Local Sustainable. One that I have not described is the Rainforest Alliance certification. To do so, I brought in an expert!
Our expert is Denis Twinamatsiko who is currently working with Rainforest Alliance certification programs in Uganda. To help me here, Denis has kindly answered some questions regarding this certification process in the Ugandan context (all quotations and photographs are Denis's).
How and why did you get involved with Rainforest Alliance in Uganda?
Denis told me he became involved with Rainforest Alliance certification through his work with black tea crops in Uganda. His firm works with six tea estates (and over 400 smallholder farmers) along the legendary Rwenzori mountain ranges.
Denis explained that although his firm met multiple food safety and environmental standards, they chose Rainforest Alliance certification to improve overall sustainability in the tea estates.
“We have been re-energized by a recent report released by International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) titled “Future Climate Scenarios for Uganda’s Tea Growing Areas”, which revealed that climatic suitability of much of Uganda’s tea growing areas will decline significantly by 2050 and hence a wakeup call for everyone involved in the tea sector here in Uganda.”
What makes the Rainforest Alliance Certification different from other Certifications, such as Organic?
Denis explained that Rainforest Alliance considers economic, environmental, and social issues, whereas organic certifications strictly address environmental concerns. While organic certification prohibits the any use of agrochemicals, Rainforest Alliance allows farmers to use a limited amount of agrochemicals in a controlled manner. At the same time, Rainforest Alliance requires farmers to engage in ecosystem, water, and wildlife conservation, to create an agriculture-ecosystem continuum across landscape (for a list of all the requirements click here). In addition, Rainforest Alliance requires that farms provide fair wages and safe working conditions for their farmers. So, although the Rainforest Alliance certification may not be 100% organic, its farming standards take into account people and wildlife too.
|Forest patch next to tea factory|
In your experience, how has this certification brought positive change to farmers and farms in your region?
Rainforest Alliance certified crops appear to be a win-win situation for farmers and the environment. Denis shared that certified farmers maintain patches of natural forests within the tea estates. Keeping forests in the tea-landscape helps farmers lower agriculture costs because they become less reliant on fertilizers or pesticides and more reliant on natural ecosystem processes for crop-care. For example, forests are sources of natural predators (meaning they will need less chemical pesticides) and forests can help maintain soil health and prevent erosion. At the same time, when farmers keep forest patches within tea estates it is one form of conserving biodiversity. Tourists have recognized that Rainforest Alliance tea estates are important for biodiversity conservation, Denis shared, and they are visiting these estates to observe the fauna that can be found there!
Denis made another important point. When farms become certified, farmers start documentation of the process as a form of an internal control system; farmers can use these records to help predict long-term tea production patterns and this can benefit their business.
I was surprised to learn that Rainforest Alliance is not just important locally, but international tea buyers are showing a preference for Rainforest Alliance Certified Teas, and offering higher prices for them. Denis explained that “Lipton, one of the largest tea buyers in the world has committed to sourcing all of their tea from Rainforest Alliance Certified estates by 2015”.
|Tea field next to forest patch|
In light of the positive aspects of this certification, why aren’t all Ugandan tea estates becoming certified?
Denis mentioned that owners of tea estates can be reluctant to become certified because they would need to provide workers with fair wages. In Uganda, for example, there is no national minimum wage, and some farms may prefer to keep underpaying their workers.
Government support for environmental and social well-being is very important to gain wider acceptance of Rainforest Alliance, says Denis. He explained that without national standards people may be less willing to learn about or even adopt the sustainable practices. For example, Uganda does not have a national soil-conservation policy. Thus, many farmers prefer to burn a patch of land to clear it for agriculture rather than try some of the integrated soil management techniques proposed by Rainforest Alliance.
Denis’s work reminds us that even the simple things in life, such as tea drinking, have direct impacts on how the landscape looks, and, more importantly, how it will look in years to come. Denis said it best when he recalled the African proverb, “one generation plants a tree – the next generation enjoys the shade”.


“He Wa’a He Moku, He Moku He Wa’a”; The Canoe is an Island and the Island is a Canoe. –Hawaiian Proverb
Here at Laulima, we are trying to do our part to curb the mass amount of plastic waste that is produced from the food industry by providing our customers with to go containers that are made from plants, not plastic. These containers and utensils include bowls, plates, cups, cutlery and napkins and are made from corn and/or post-consumer paper products. They have the similar clean and sturdy feel of plastic without the petroleum! The fiber bowls we use are made out of wheatgrass, and will break down in a month and go back into the earth.
These products are also 100% compostable where facilities exist. In fact, facility or not, if you are an avid composter, these products can be scattered into your compost, turned and treated to become usable soil for your garden. Now that’s what we call up-cycling: reworking would-be-waste into food growing power. It’s another way Laulima is participating in the progress to a waste-less future, without sacrificing fresh taste and convenience. It doesn’t stop there: the restaurant will also donate its food waste to local pig farmers where food scraps will be “up-cycled” into bacon/pork belly for our new meat smoker. But it goes on!
We support local, sustainable agriculture by sourcing our menu products from Hawaii farmers and artisans. By sourcing local, it also cuts out the need for shipment across the Pacific as much as possible. Let’s work together to malama our local farmers, the health of our bodies, and the health of our ‘aina.


How buying British can boost the local economy and help the environment
Historically, farming has shaped much of the British countryside, contributed to its beauty and provided a unique way of life in rural areas. Unfortunately, by using pesticides, artificial fertilisers and other intensive farming techniques, industrialised agriculture in this country and across the world is damaging our life support systems – the water, soil, wildlife and climate we need to continue to feed ourselves. Our food and agriculture systems contribute to between 20 and 30 per cent of global warming caused by human activity.
As well as producing food in unsustainable ways, we are importing fruit and vegetables from across the globe, using unnecessary energy for transportation, storage, and road and infrastructure projects. A quarter of food eaten in Britain comes from abroad, which equated to £8 billion pounds worth of fruit and vegetables in 2012.
As the global population increases so does the demand on our finite resources.
Sustainability is about seeking ways of providing food, water and energy that are long lasting and have less of an impact on the environment.
What is sustainable food?
The working definition of sustainable food, as defined by the advocacy group Sustain, is that it should be produced, processed and traded in ways that:
- contribute to thriving local economies and sustainable livelihoods – both in the UK and, in the case of imported products, in producer countries;
- protect the diversity of both plants and animals (and the welfare of farmed and wild species), and avoid damaging natural resources and contributing to climate change;
- provide social benefits, such as good quality food, safe and healthy products, and educational opportunities.
What can you do?
Buy local and seasonal
Seasonal food can offer better taste and be more affordable, while local food generally fresher, reduces food miles, offers benefits to local farmers and communities, and helps reconnect consumers with where their food comes from.
Buying your fruit and vegetables from local farm shops and farmers markets is a good way to ensure that it is local and seasonal.
Organic standards require farmers to protect the environment by restricting the use of pesticides and artificial chemical fertilisers.
Buying organic food from certified farms minimises harm to the environment.
British households are throwing away 4.2 million tonnes of food and drink annually; the equivalent of six meals every week for the average household. This is not only a waste of food, but a waste of money and the resources used in production.
You can reduce your food waste by trying to make the very best of the food you buy, by using up leftovers and getting creative with what you’ve got. Putting soup on the family menu is an easy and tasty way to use excess vegetables and cater for seasonal variations.
Push consumer demand
Consumers, rather than retailers, should lead by buying sustainable food. People power can help bring about a revolution in the way food is produced and sold. Food businesses, supermarkets and manufacturers would follow consumer demand for sustainable food with a smaller environmental footprint – just as consumers pushed the rapid expansion of Fairtrade products and free range eggs in the last decade.


In a last coda to our Urban Commons issue, we look at the case of the South Central Urban Farm in Los Angeles, once the largest urban garden in the USA. Founded in 1994, it emerged from and served the local community successfully until 2006, when, despite protests, its site was bulldozed for development. uncube’s Susie Lee was involved in the protests, and here tells the rollercoaster story of the South Central farmers’ struggle to remain, their relocation, and the continued success of their initiative – highlighting the issues that urban farms face as a long-term sustainable model.
The South Central Farm was a 5.4-hectare community-built urban garden that thrived in one of Los Angeles’ roughest neighbourhoods, South Central, between 1994 and 2006. In an area scattered with liquor stores, but without supermarkets or even access to fresh produce, 350 low-income families denied government aid. Instead they received a plot of land from the city to grow food for their community. While the words “urban garden” have often become synonymous with the process of neighborhood gentrification, this was one community garden that truly served the community.
Without the farmers’ knowledge, in 2003 the city granted the real estate deeds to a property developer, Ralph Horowitz, who wanted to evict the farmers, bulldoze the garden, and sell the site – allegedly for use as a Walmart distribution centre. Thus the real community benefit of provision of green space, healthy food and a safe place for families – concomitantly helping to reduce greenhouse gases – came under threat. It would be lost to make way for another warehouse, in an area already full of vacant ones.
The developer’s asking price for the property in 2006 was $16.3 million, more than three times the amount he had acquired it for three years earlier. The South Central Farmers began a fundraising effort, and environmentalists, community activists, farmers from around the world, political and religious leaders, and celebrities showed up to voice their support. In June 2006, the South Central Farmers (with the help of the Annenberg Foundation) were able to raise enough money to meet the asking price, but the developer still refused the offer and ordered the farm to be bulldozed. Horowitz later told the Los Angeles Times that he would not have sold the property to the farmers even for $100 million, feeling that the media had dragged his name through the mud in the struggle for the farm to remain on the site.
After several failed attempts to regain the property or establish a new farm in the city centre, the farmers acquired a 34.4 hectare plot of land in Buttonwillow, California, 200 kilometres from the city. Here the remaining families established the South Central Farmers’ Health and Education Fund and its subset, the South Central Farmers Cooperative, a grassroots, non-profit organisation “dedicated to community self-reliance through urban and rural agriculture”.
Alberto Tlatoa, a longtime member of the organisation who has been farming with the urban garden since his childhood, says: “Through our efforts we seek to restore the traditional place of local, organically grown fruits and vegetables in the diets and lifestyle of displaced indigenous people and other low-income, ethnic minority populations. Our work emphasises cross-generational ties for the benefit of youth who face increasing childhood obesity and adults who face alarming rates of diabetes”.
The new organisation maintains its presence in the community by feeding an estimated 10,000 families each week in urban areas, with an added focus on producing ethnically diverse foods that can be difficult to find in organic markets. Another important part of their mission has been heirloom seed banking: after a good harvest, they allow their plants to bolt, preserving a variety of heirloom seeds to encourage ecological biodiversity, as an attempt to combat the increasing number of genetically engineered foods that threaten the survival of rare plant species.
The non-profit organisation focuses on nutritional education, targeting youth with campaigns like the “Farm to School” programme that encourages better food choices through school gardens, cooking lessons, and farm field trips. The group also provides youth-targeted urban gardening workshops, addressing the issue of snack culture by creating a line of healthy snacks – baked kale and beet chips – as an alternative to the deep-fried, genetically modified potato chips found at local liquor stores and supermarkets. Remembering past struggles, the SCFHEF continues to advocate for more green spaces in the community, a campaign that has helped to create a new city ordinance that allows Los Angeles residents to plant edible gardens on their sidewalks.
While the South Central Farmers have found an interim solution for now, in order to continue the tradition of organic farming and seed preservation the group’s ultimate goal is to regain an urban gardening space within Los Angeles city limits. However, given the need to navigate labyrinthine city politics, together with the minimal incentive offered to developers to release undeveloped land – even on a temporary basis – the plan to reestablish a large-scale, grassroots community garden in Los Angeles has so far proved elusive.
Even though the importance of green space and better nutrition would seem clear community benefits in deprived city neighbourhoods, where diet-based health problems continue to rise, city leaders have yet to acknowledge this through any affirmative legislative action that could help create a space of common ground, literally and figuratively, between these benefits and the exigencies of developers’ need to maximise profit. Until there is new thinking, wider political support, and a willingness to find creative compromises in cities such as Los Angeles, sustainable urban gardening will remain a struggle for many of the inner city communities most in need of its benefits.
– Susie S. Lee
For more information about the South Central Farmers and their organic produce distribution areas:
Trailer for “The Garden”, a 2008 documentary, directed by Scott Hamilton Kennedy, telling the story of the South Central Farm in Los Angeles. The film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature in 2009. (Video courtesy Oscilloscope Labs)


I appreciate each of you that visit my blog, especially when you take the time to comment or send me an email. I apologize that I haven't been as good about returning visits, or at least commenting as often as I'd like. Now that the holidays are over and there isn't as much to do outside I hope to be able to visit more often.
For now I thought I'd do a quick review of my garden. I like that my blogaversary coincides with the new year, it gives me a good excuse to go through pictures of my garden while there isn't much blooming outside.
January had Hellebores, Sarcococcas and Pansies blooming.
February was when the lawn went away for good! We spent many hours outside, much of it in freezing cold weather and snow getting the job done. We put up a picket fence, built raised beds and spread gravel around the beds.
March was when the rest of the fence was finished. My husband and his Dad built the gates and arbor together.
April shows the pond garden waking up. I love when the bulbs are blooming and there's lots of fresh green foliage around.
May in the shed garden's first spring was very colorful!
June in the front garden is one of my favorite times. Here you can see the painted picket fence and gravel that was spread where the grass had been.
July and the pond garden is very lush and full. We had record breaking rain and cool weather over the spring and much of the summer. Most of the garden didn't seem to mind although it was a tough year to start vegetable gardening.
August and the new raised beds in the front yard were finally producing vegetables for us. Squash, zucchini, beans and Chard all did really well.
September is when I decided to redo the driveway bed. This area had really been ignored and need an overhaul. It now should have much more interest year round rather than the middle of summer only. I'm still trying to figure out where I can squeeze another rose in here...
October shows some of the rearranging in the pond garden. I fell in love with grasses this past fall and added quite a few of them throughout the yard. We had a beautiful fall, much warmer and drier than the previous one.
November in the path garden shows lots of green still and the beginnings of the leaves that drop from the trees. It really doesn't change that much during the year down here, other than shrubs and spring blooming perennials.
December, on Christmas Eve I had a 'Kimberlina' rose blooming! I'm always impressed with how long roses will bloom even after some very heavy frosts. Seeing that pink amidst the brown mushy plants nearby was very cheering!
As usual, once the holidays are over, I'm already on the countdown to spring and I can't wait to see what changes this year will bring. Happy New Year!


Entry Level Position
Tasks include: All areas of golf course maintenance including: operating riding mowers, walk behind mowers, tractors, maintenance vehicles, small power equipment (string trimmer, leaf blower, hedge trimmer, cart path edger, etc.), pull weeds, trim small trees, rake leaves, fertilizer application and watering.
Required to work outside in various types of weather and on uneven ground.
Must be able to work weekends and holidays.
Compensation: $15.21 to $17.89/hr. based on qualifications.
Health insurance, vacation and paid holidays provided.


Korsoil Agro LLC, Ukraine: The deep hum of tractors fills the air as Viktor Korniychuk, owner of Korsoil Agro, inspects his machinery. As dedicated farmer, Korniychuk is delighted by the diverse crops his farm has been able to produce over the past 10 years since Korsoil Agro was established. Now with 31 employees, Korniychuk is an important local employer and a part of the country’s thriving agricultural sector.
The rich, fertile Ukrainian soil, which covers 70% of the country, yields a variety of crops. Farming makes up a substantial economic sector, contributing 12% to the country’s GDP. In fact, Ukraine is one of Europe’s leading grain producers.
In order to make the Ukrainian economy more sustainable and competitive, the agricultural sector needs to invest to keep up with modern standards. Machinery plays a big role in efficiency of agribusinesses; with the use of energy-efficient equipment, farmers like Korniychuk can reduce their expenses and get better results. This is where the Green for Growth Fund (GGF) is making its contribution.
The GGF is working with leasing companies, like OTP Leasing, to help farmers and agribusinesses like Korsoil Agro upgrade their equipment to reduce fuel consumption and become more energy efficient.
“By using the new equipment we received through OTP Leasing, we have reached a new level of efficiency. We are now driving over the field three times less, meaning we also use the equipment three times less. We were able to reduce the frequency of use of equipment on this farm, cutting the consumption of diesel, and reducing the load on land,” says Korniychuk. “This leads to better soil quality in the fields.”
“We feel the effects in economic terms, too. Thanks to this new equipment, our productivity has doubled, or even tripled for some kinds of grain,” remarks Korniychuk. With double the crop produced in half the time, it is clear that business for Korniychuk is thriving thanks to energy efficient machinery, enabled by the GGF, to harvest the grain.


What is a GE Chile ?
A GE Chile? In 2008, New Mexicans were alerted to the fact that their taxes were being used to fund development of a genetically engineered (GE) chile. Chile (Spanish for peppers) is a staple food crop grown and consumed by many New Mexicans who have saved and replanted their seeds for hundreds of years.
Now, farmers, through no intent of their own, may find that their saved seeds are contaminated with patented GE traits. The result: Farmers subject to litigation and damages as the result of lawsuits filed by the patent owners for patent infringement. And, worse, almost certain loss of the invaluable and unique traits of the farmer’s own seed, developed through hundreds of years of breeding.
In response, the Save NM Seeds Coalition was created to work toward protecting our native chile varieties. Comprised of farmers, ranchers, consumers, religious groups and others, the first action was to pass legislation that would protect not only chile farmers, but all farmers who might become contaminated unknowingly by patented GE traits. This has become known as the Farmer Liability Bill.
Who is behind the GE chile? The New Mexico Chile Association (NMCA), formerly the NM Chile Task Force, was created in partnership with New Mexico State University (NMSU). In 2006 it changed its name and became a non-profit membership organization that lobbies for government and public funds. The NMCA is comprised primarily of chile processors and businesses. At their request, New Mexico State University’s Agricultural Experimental Station (AES), other departments, and biotech companies are working to develop a GE chile for their members.
Until recently, the board of directors was comprised of the owners of three of the largest processors in NM – Bueno Foods (aka El Encanto, Inc.), Rezolex, Inc; and CervantesEnterprises. Bueno Foods is one of the oldest chile processors in NM. Rezolex is one of two companies in the USA that extracts oleoresin from paprika and farms in New Mexico, Texas and Arizona. Cervantes Enterprises, with a farm operation in southern New Mexico, produces approximately 80% of all the cayenne pepper mash used in Tabasco sauces in the United States. All three companies import chile from outside the US.
Why a GE chile? Ironically, the NMCA contends that a GE chile is necessary for the industry to survive because the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) opened the doors for import of cheaper chile peppers from Mexico. Another reason cited is the need for a chileresistant to diseases that are not common among non-monoculture fields. New Mexico does not have the land to ever supply all the chilesused by commercial producers. But why jeopardize New Mexico’s culture and the landrace varieties that are naturally drought tolerant and disease resistant?
Action. Join us to protect our chiles and yours, as the development of a GE chile will have ramifications on peppers throughout the world. Help us spread the word. Pledge No to GE Chile. Let restaurant owners, chile product producers, grocery store owners, and farmers know that you do not want a GE chile of any variety. We must work together to defend our seeds and the Freedom to Farm.
 Interim Economic and Rural Development Committee, September 2010.
 Robinson-Avila, “Imports Scorch New Mexico Chile Producers, NM Business Weekly, September 18, 2009; “ Despite red-letter year, domestic chili pepper growers worry about foreign imports” Associated Press, August 13, 2006.


I commonly see and hear about dogs that get sick from the garden or garden products. I noticed this past weekend – tons of gardening going on. Mulching, planting, weeding. I went to Lowes and their garden center was BUSY!
Anyway, this is “flower” month and I want to make sure you know what you need to know about planting a pet safe garden. Maybe your dog or cat doesn’t go into the Flower garden – and if that is the case – good for you. But I know you also want to protect other animals from getting sick.
To help keep your garden pet safe.
The most commonly used lawn care products are of fertilizers, herbicides, insecticides and fungicides. When applied according to package instructions or by a qualified lawn care service most of these products are not harmful. Pets are primarily poisoned by contact with concentrated products. This may occur from inappropriate storage, failure to read package instructions, or by intentionally using more product than needed. Dogs are especially good at finding poorly stored containers, chewing them up and drinking the contents. Pet owners should be especially vigilant when using insecticides as these tend to have a higher degree of toxicity.
Dogs may be exposed by digging up treated earth, chewing on pellets, or rooting around ant mounds shortly after insecticides are applied.
Many pets chew on plants in the yard and garden. Fortunately for dogs, who for some unknown reason seem to enjoy eating grass and then vomiting, most grasses are non-toxic. Holiday ornamental plants such as poinsettias and Easter lily are often put outside for the summer. Ingestion of poinsettia stems and leaves may cause some mild gastrointestinal irritation and vomiting but is not deadly. Ingestion of all parts of the Easter lily causes depression, vomiting and diarrhea in cats. Left untreated most cats die of kidney failure. Tulips (bulbs), Lily of the valley and azaleas are all springtime plants that can be deadly to pets if ingested in large enough quantities. Dogs should be watched carefully when these plants are being cared for.
Most lawn seed and Mulch products are generally not associated with toxic problems in pets. Cacoa bean mulch is perhaps the only product known to cause poisoning in dogs. This mulch is made from the hulls of cacoa beans and when fresh has a rich, chocolate aroma associated with it. Some larger breed dogs have actually eaten several pounds of the mulch, more than enough to develop poisoning associated with the chocolate remnants. These over eager dogs should be kept away from the mulch until the aroma has dissipated. Generally a heavy rainfall or thorough watering is all that is required.
As you work outside be sure to take an extra moment or two to protect your pets. Read all package instructions carefully before any applying products to your lawn or garden. Be sure not only that it is safe to use around your pets but that you are mixing or applying it correctly. Check with your local garden center about the safety of plants you are putting in your garden. Finally, be sure to close the top tightly on all containers and put them in an area where your pets do not have access to them.
With a little careful planning, you and your pet can enjoy a safe and relaxing garden environment. Whether you’re planning a large garden to feed the family or decorating a small space with hanging baskets and containers, here are a few factors to be considered.
Plants and flowers are nature’s attention getters. Their fragrance, appearance, and cool shade they create are natural attractants for you and your pet. Curiosity often leads pets to consume the flowers and foliage of ornamental plants, which can produce irritating and sometimes life threatening side effects.
Plants for a Sunny Location
If the location of your garden, gives you 4 or more hours of direct sunlight, a day, you have a long list, of annuals and perennials from which to choose. Annuals grow from seed and last one growing season. They are good choices for fast, instant color impact. Garden and discount centers will offer a wide variety of annual plants at economical prices. Perennials return year after year from growth at the roots, they are a little more expensive, but do not need to be planted every growing season. Most gardeners have their favourites and mix both types for the longest possible color show. Safe choices for sunny locations include:
• Zinnia (Zinnia sp.)
• Snapdragons (Antirrhinum sp.)
• Cosmos (Cosmos sp.)
• Calendula (Callendula sp.)
• Petunia (Petunia sp.)
• Bee Balm (Monarda sp.)
• Phlox (Phlox sp.)
• Roses (Rose sp.)
• Catmint/catnip (Nepeta sp.)
• Coneflowers (Echinacea purpura)
Plants for Partial Sun
If your garden receives less than 4 hours of direct sunlight a day, the following list of non-toxic annuals and perennials requires less sunlight.
• Primrose(Primula sp.)
• Butterfly flower(Schianthus sp.)
• Spider flower (Cleome sp.)
• Nasturtium (Tropaeolum sp.)
• Columbine(Aquilegia sp.)
• Coral Bells (Heuchera sp.)
• Turf Lilly (Liriope sp.)
• Goat’s Beard (Aruncus dioicus)
A shade garden receives little to no direct sunlight, although the sun may filter through the trees for dappled light. Plant selection for these areas may include the following:
• Begonia (Begonia sp.)
• Impatiens (Impatiens sp.)
• New Guinea Impatiens
• Violet (Viola sp.)
• Coleus (Coleus sp.)
• Bugbane (Cimifuga racemosa)
• Yellow Corydalis (Corydalis lutea)
• Astilbe (Astilbe sp.)
• Queen of the Meadow (Filipendula ulmaria)
If you’re interest is vegetables, you’ll need 4 or more hours of full sun for most plants. Keeping your pet out of the vegetable garden may be your biggest task, especially when plants are young and fragile. Some clearly visible fencing may help. Avoid hardware cloth as pets can become entangled. Motion detector sprinkler systems can be useful in keeping pets and wildlife out of newly planted areas, and are not harmful. Most vegetable plants do not pose toxicity problems with a few exceptions. Onions, chives and garlic, which a lot of pets do like, contain compounds that, if ingested, can cause anemia. The leafy part of the potato plant, and the green part of the potato skin contain compounds that are toxic if eaten in sufficient quantities. Fruits also contain toxic chemicals in their seeds/pits. Apple, plum, cherry, apricot and peach seeds/pits contain cyanide, which can cause fatal seizures.
The 10 Least Wanted
The following is a list of plants that is best to avoid altogether due to their toxic nature. It is not a comprehensive list, if you are considering any plant of which you are unsure; consult your local plant nursery.
• Castor bean (Ricinus communis)
• Oleander (Nerium oleander)
• Morning Glory (Ipomea sp.)
• Japanese Yew (Taxus cuspidata)
• Jerusalem Cherry (Solanum pseudocapsicum)
• Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea)
• Nightshade (Atropa belladonna)
• Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis)
• Precatory Beans (Arbus precatorius)
• Trumpet vine (Campsis radicans)
Lawn and Garden Chemicals
It is very easy to reach for a chemical pesticide, fertilizer or fungicide when faced with a problem in the lawn or garden. Fortunately for the average home gardener, safer alternatives are available for most commonly encountered problems, reducing the risk of a toxic exposure for your pet. You would not think that your pet would have any reason to consume these products but sadly they do, either intentionally or inadvertently and these types of poisonings are all too common. Remember before applying any product to your lawn, vegetables, or ornamental plants to read the label and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Many of these products are designed to persist in the environment days to weeks after application, so a pet can have an exposure days to weeks after initial application.
Alternatives to Chemical Pesticides
If you notice damaging insects on your plants such as aphids, spider mites or thrips, these insects can be eliminated or reduced by a simple spray of water. These soft-bodied insects are easily dislodged. Adjust the nozzle of your hose so a firm spray will not harm your plants and wash them away. If you have only a few plants, use a good stream of water from your watering can and a little hand washing. It may take a day or two but an infestation can be cleared by no more than a good shower!
Soap and Water
If your insect problem is more serious, add a teaspoon of dish soap to a gallon of water and use it in a garden sprayer. The soap is an irritant to a lot of insects and can help break down the protective barriers of their external skeleton. There are commercial insecticidal soaps available that are less toxic than most chemical alternatives.
The “black gold” of the garden, recycled kitchen and yard waste can be combined to produce the best garden fertilizer at no cost and reduce the need for chemical fertilizers. It can be applied to the lawn and garden twice a year and it will replace the essential nutrients that growing plants and grasses require.
And Don’t Forget
Sometimes we forget the simplest things! Put your pets inside when mowing the lawn. A lawn mower can make a projectile out of a stick or rock that can injure your pet. Paint your garden tools a bright color such as red or yellow so you can see them out in the yard. Many pets step or trip on sharp garden implements. Store your chemicals out of reach and in their original containers. Don’t assume your pet will not be interested in consuming these products. If there is a toxic exposure or consumption, call your veterinarian immediately with the information from the product label. Keep your pets inside when applying any chemicals to the lawn or garden. With a little planning you and your pet can enjoy a safe and beautiful garden.
2 thoughts on “Gardening Tips”
Asking questions are actually fastidious thing if you are
not understanding anything totally, except this post presents
good understanding even.
Your tips on making the garden pet safe were very simple and practicle


At Country Flower Farms, you can find everything you need to turn your dream garden into a reality! We are a proudly family owned and operated Garden Center dedicated to quality, selection and service. Come browse our huge selection of annuals, perennials, herbs, seasonal plants, and more at our greenhouse! We carry the best plants around, and our friendly knowledgeable staff are always here to help answer any questions you may have. Also, be sure to take a look at our blog for great plant care tips and gardening articles that will inform and inspire!
We are open March 15th thru December 24th 7 days a week, 9 a.m. – 6 pm. We also provide gardening and plant information online 24 hours a day at www.countryflowerfarms.com, or you may feel free to contact us via phone or email. Happy gardening from all of us at Country Flower Farms!