Farm to Family connects farmers with food banks to provide over 40 varieties of free, fresh produce to Californians in need. Each of our Farm to Family partners is making a significant difference in alleviating hunger and promoting nutrition in California. CAFB recruits farmers and arranges to ship their surplus produce directly from the fields to over 40 member food banks across the state. These food banks distribute the produce through a network of 5,000 schools, churches, senior centers, soup kitchens and other community venues.
Since it began in 2005, Farm to Family has partnered with over 100 growers and packers. From 10 million pounds of produce that first year to 164 million pounds in 2016, the generosity of California’s agricultural community continues to grow. You can find a list of our 2016 donors below.
If you are a grower or packer interested in feeding your community and positively impacting your bottom line, please contact Steve Linkhart, Director of Farm to Family, at (510) 350-9916 or email@example.com to learn more about the program.
Pictured in the banner: Brian Peixoto, Sales Manager at Lakeside Organic Gardens, poses with his daughter.


Lihue Plantation Building
Rice Street, Lihue Hawaii 96766
The plantation was one of the oldest sugar plantations in the Hawaiian Kingdom. Original investors in the Lihu`e Plantation were Henry Pierce, a Boston businessman; William Little Lee, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court; and Charles Reed Bishop, one of the founders of what today is known as First Hawaiian Bank. The Lihu`e Plantation was, no doubt, one of the best financed, most modern, and one of the costliest in the kingdom.
It takes about 500 gallons of water to produce one pound of sugar, and it takes 1,000,000 gallons of water to irrigate 100 acres of sugar cane a day. Fortunately, water is abundant in the Lihu`e area from the summits of Mount Wai`ale`ale and Mount Kawaikini. Before the Plantation could irrigate the fields, it first had to develop a method of efficiently bringing the water from the mountains to the sugar cane fields. Some of the acreage went almost all the way to the ocean. In 1856, Lihu`e Plantation’s Rice Ditch became a landmark ditch of Hawaii.The ditch was operated by Harrison Rice. It spanned 51 miles with 18 intakes and was the largest project of its kind in Hawai`i. This amazing water collection system was a major factor in Lihu`e Plantation’s success. In the 1990’s, the plantations began to close one at a time. The Lihu`e Plantation ceased operations on November 17, 2000 after 151 years of sugar production.
The Lihu`e Plantation Company made phenomenal history on Kaua`i and in Hawai`i.


Tomatoes are a must-have ingredient in many meals. That’s why it should never miss out from your garden. Contrary to what many people think, tomatoes are easy to grow.
As a matter of fact, they don’t require a lot of tending compared to other garden plants. A mature plant can give you great looking tomatoes for the next couple of months.
If you’d like to plant yourself some tomatoes, here are five tips to help you get started.
1. Space Properly
One thing that tomatoes love is space. You need to properly space your tomato vines so that they can each get ample sunlight. Proper spacing also makes it possible for each plant to get all
the nutrients it needs from the soil.
It also slows down the spread of diseases from one tomato plant to another. The amount of space you need to leave is determined by the variety of tomatoes you’re planting.
The stockier varieties only need 2 feet of spacing while the long vined intermediate variety requires at least 3 feet.
2. Plant Deep
When planting the tomato seedling, you should plant it with about two thirds of the stem being below the surface.
The buried part of the stem will sprout more roots thus offering extra support to the vine as it grows. Also, make sure that the area you’re planting is well prepared and manured before transplanting your tomato seedlings.
3. Protect Young Seedlings
Young tomato seedlings face many threats, with one of the most rampant being cutworms. That’s why it is important to protect your seedlings from being attacked by these worms.
The best way to protect them is by using them in organic deterrents like cardboard. All you have to do is place strips of cardboard around each seeding.
This will keep away the cutworms and in the end, break down and decay once the seedlings are older.
4. Prune Often
To keep your tomato vines healthy, you need to prune them regularly. When the plant first reaches 3 feet high, you should prune the bottom leaves. They don’t contribute much to the plant and are better of gone.
In addition, the bottom leaves are more susceptible to pathogens and diseases that might be in the soil. That’s why it is good for you to prune them.
Apart from the bottom leaves, you should also prune any small stems that are not flowering. They’ll just compete for nutrients even though they aren’t producing any fruit.
5. Use Fertilizer
When transplanting your seedlings, it is advisable to add a major nutrient fertilizer into the soul.
This ensures that there are enough nutrients in the soil for your tomato plants to grow. You can find these kinds of fertilizers in any gardening supplies shop.
Mulching plays an important role in ensuring healthy growth of your tomatoes. You should start mulching several days after transplant your seedlings.
Mulching has several functions. Forstarters, it reduces the amount of water evaporation from the soil thus enabling the soil to hold moisture for longer periods of time.
Secondly, mulching prevents weeds from growing. Shredded leaves and straw are the best materials to use as mulch.
That’s it! Growing large succulent tomatoes isn’t hard at all. All you need are basic gardening skills and the tips we’ve mentioned here and you’re bound to have a bountiful harvest.


Profit from Fresh Grass
The Grass Tech Grazer is one of the few machines in farming that actually earns you money!
Cows are designed to eat fresh grass and Zero Grazing (or Cut & Carry) is nothing new. But with a modern machine such as the Grass Tech Grazer it is the ideal solution for dairy farmers looking to maximise output from their herd and pasture, while keeping their production costs to a minimum.
The Grazer is a robust, easy to use Zero Grazing machine, that is manufactured in Ireland and designed to help you maximise fresh grass and reduce your production costs.


[Editor’s note: This article runs in a new section of The Tyee called ‘What Works: The Business of a Healthy Bioregion,’ where you’ll find profiles of people creating the low-carbon, sustainable economy we need from Alaska to California. Find out more about this project and its funders.]
During the summer of 2016, Ji Yang was somewhere between Squamish and Vancouver when a vine twisting through underbrush and bushes caught his trained eye. The plant had clusters of cone-shaped flowers with hues of vibrant green and hints of yellow, and it exuded a floral scent. Yang, a biologist and botanist, had discovered a feral hop population growing in the wild, and he was intrigued.
Already familiar with the long history of hop farming in B.C., Yang gathered as many of the plants as he could into bags and brought them back to the biology labs at Langara College, where he works, to study their genetic makeup.
“I said to myself, ‘I wonder if they would make good beer,’” recalled Yang, who is a microbrew enthusiast.
Yang took his question to chemist Kelly Sveinson, head of Langara’s Applied Research Centre, and they decided to collaborate in finding out. “I thought it was a brilliant idea,” said Sveinson, who secured a Discovery Grant from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada to launch the work.
Today, the feral hops project, a bustling outfit based at Langara College in Vancouver, is identifying new feral hop varieties to create distinct regional beers. It has the potential to change B.C.’s local beer economy, which currently relies heavily on the United States for its hop supply.
Growing conditions are becoming harsher every year due to climate change. In 2023, Canada experienced its hottest year ever recorded. Temperatures rose up to 2.3 C warmer than the average temperatures throughout the seasons, making conditions difficult for the few Canadian hop farmers trying to cultivate their crops.
Higher temperatures can adversely affect hop cultivation by hindering the formation of their cones and reducing the available time for the cones to properly develop. Feral hops cultivated in B.C. provide an opportunity to localize production, reduce the industry's carbon emissions and preserve biodiversity, all within a tiny, climate-resistant bud.
Last year Yang and students taking part in the feral hops project discovered that because feral hops have grown independently without human intervention, they may have become resistant to the region’s plant diseases and changing weather conditions. The team is also at work cultivating their own crops of feral hops. The plants are propagated based on the tissue culture method, which starts with taking small apical samples of a plant’s tissues.
These plant tissues are then surface-sterilized to remove contaminants, then placed in a tissue culture container and kept in a growth chamber for two to four weeks.
The samples with rooted tissues and healthy leaves will be planted in Perlite Sphagnum soil before being transferred to larger one-gallon pots.
When the plants have grown strong enough, they can be planted at a hop farm.
Yang said that during this process the team unveiled some unique characteristics of the feral hops.
“They’ve learned to handle possible droughts, which would do well in places like the Okanagan and Fraser Valley,” he said.
In an era of rapid climate change that features severe seasonal droughts, he believes this discovery will enhance the sustainability and climate resiliency of the hop and brewing industry.
Despite the surge in the number of craft breweries and hop farms on the West Coast, the beer British Columbians like to savour cannot be considered entirely Canadian.
The American company Yakima Chief Hops has been patenting the most popular strains of hops in Western Canada since 2010. Before that, B.C. breweries were turning to the United States in the 1940s to source their hops during the rise of "macro brewing," which refers to large-scale beer production by major corporations. As a result, many of the province’s previously thriving hop farms shuttered in the latter half of the 20th century.
B.C.’s hop farms reached their peak production between the 1940s and 1950s when about 1,600 acres of farmland were dedicated to producing the crop. The Fraser Valley was one of the largest hop-producing regions in Canada at the time.
As of 2020, a steep drop in B.C. producers has left only 10 to 15 hop farms collectively growing 200 acres of hops. Only five of those farms are producing commercial-grade hops, according to Crescent Island Farms.
Back in the Langara lab, the team was tasked with finding a farm that would agree to grow their hops and discover what flavour profiles, or terpenes, they could produce. Terpenes are natural compounds found in hops that give beer its signature flavours and aromas, such as a citrusy kick or spicy aftertaste.
In 2022, Yang attended a conference hosted by the BC Craft Brewers Guild, where he met Ken Malenstyn, who wears many hop-related hats. He is the chair of the BC Hop Growers Association, founder of Crescent Island Hops and co-owner of Barnside Brewing in Delta, B.C. He helped open Barnside Brewing beside his nearly 10-acre hop farm in Delta in 2019 in an attempt to create a truly farm-to-table beer.
Malenstyn said he was interested in the idea Yang had brewing.
“The brewing industry is very competitive,” said Malenstyn. “There are about 240 active breweries [in B.C.] right now.”
Due to its competitive nature, he said, the brewing industry has reached a point of saturation. But limited shelf space means companies are often fighting one another to be featured in liquor stores where "big beer" dominates.
At its core, Malenstyn said, the feral hops project fit seamlessly into his own vision at Barnside to create a hyperlocal beer — something he’s been doing for years now.
“Our product is not an amalgamation of mass producers, and a lot of craft beer, unfortunately, is,” said Malenstyn.
He said the new hop varietal from the feral hops project could empower brewers to become more environmentally sustainable and cost-effective.
Buying products from local sources instead of mass distributors can reduce distribution costs, lower carbon emissions and boost the profits of brewers and hop farmers who work and live locally.
“I think with this, we are going to see more of an uptick with using local ingredients if we can convince other breweries to take on that model,” said Malenstyn.
With resources from Barnside Brewing, the project was able to progress. Malenstyn has been growing Yang’s plants on his farm since 2022. Last year, he finally discovered what these hops are made of.
“We’re at a stage now where we’ve got some winners,” said Malenstyn. “Now, we’re trying to propagate those same plants on a larger scale through commercial acreage.”
The winners Malenstyn is referring to are the particular characteristics in hops that can make a beer taste hoppy and have a floral smell. This means that the terpenes within the hops can be used not just for making India pale ales, or IPAs, but also for other types of beer in need of a hoppy flavour and floral aroma — to create an entirely unique flavour profile.
Malenstyn said the distinctive branding and cost-effectiveness behind the feral hop project have driven its profitability.
Scaling the project at this point requires more propagation to brew the beer on a larger scale. The team has made an India pale lager — a type of beer that combines the hoppy taste of an IPA with the smooth finish of a lager — from the hops, but Malenstyn said it’s not quite ready to be sold commercially.
“We want to get to a stage where we can do more brewing trials now that we know this model works,” said Malenstyn. “It will take a year to sell it commercially.”
Yang, Sveinson and Malenstyn have also partnered with Josh Mayich, the owner and operator of Island Hop Co. on Prince Edward Island. The business invested in the feral hops project as a commercial partner to observe if the hops can thrive in weather patterns like those on the East Coast.
“This is a model we could apply to anywhere in the world,” said Malenstyn.
Malenstyn assigned some of his brewers to help with the feral hops project. Longtime employees Justin Larter and Calum Huntington have helped harvest and brew a brand new beer. In September 2022, the first batch of beer was tasted among the staff with Yang and Sveinson at a tasting party.
The beer was made using the wild hops from Yang's lab and was named Tamarack. Barnside Brewing created an India pale lager using these hops.
“I’m biased, but it was good,” said Yang. “We see viability with this beer, and I believe Ken will make more come this September.”
The project has been successful thanks to the careful research and chemical discoveries of Yang and Sveinson. The farm and distribution expertise of Mayich and Malenstyn has only added to its success, proving its potential in marketability and profitability.
Highlighting the regional terroir of feral hops is creating a strong sense of place among brewers, hop farmers and consumers.
So far, the project has appealed to hop-growing companies across Canada and stimulated an increase in consumer engagement at Barnside Brewing. Malenstyn attributes this to the growing interest in authentic, locally sourced ingredients.
Breweries like Barnside have also capitalized on the narrative of discovering and utilizing feral hops, which has fostered more consumer loyalty, translating into increased beer sales.
Yang said the project is less about money and more about creating something uniquely Canadian.
“I think it’s important to preserve biodiversity in this era of climate change,” he said.
Yang said his research has highlighted that the hops he has developed are viable and possess valuable weather-resilient properties.
To make the most of the resiliency of his newfound hops, Yang said, they can be used for crossbreeding with other hops already on the market to create a new range of enhanced, hybrid hops.
This could be a significant step forward for the brewing industry, he said, as it may lead to the development of hops able to withstand the impacts of climate change.
“We’re working towards a more sustainable system for everyone involved, because if the hops are doing well, it means the brewing industry is doing well,” said Yang.
“And that's what we want to see.”


Begonia Cuttings & Plugs For Growers
Excellent Quality Plants, Guaranteed Service
Unrooted Begonia Cuttings
Floremara's facilities provide premium quality unrooted cuttings.
They are always prepared just prior to shipping and sent in thermally insulated boxes.
With rapid delivery, the customer receives fresh, vigorous cuttings that will root quickly & easily at any appropriate facility.
Rooted Begonia Plugs
Floremara's rooted Begonias are grown in a 42mm Jiffy-7 plug.
This allows for optimum growth and fantastic root development.
We hand pick the best, most vigorous plugs, every time. They are placed in a sterile shipping tray and shipped with proper protection, so you receive them just how we packed them - nice, clean, and safely inside the tray.
|Unrooted Cuttings: carefully packed and ready for delivery. |
Premium quality unrooted cuttings, always prepared just prior to shipping.
Delivered promptly, so customers receive fresh, vigorous cuttings that will root quickly.
Rooted Plugs: expertly packed and shipped with care.
We hand pick the best, most vigorous plugs, every time. They are placed in a sterile shipping tray and
delivered with proper protection, so you receive them in good condition - fresh, clean, and ready for planting.
Begonia Selections: Elatior / Hiemalis
Garden Solenia Waterfall / Beauvilia Cutting & Plug Info
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Research theme: Environment
Our environment research
We deliver research on the interactions of barley with the environment, inclusive of physical, agronomic, social and commercial environments. This research ranges in scale from cellular, through whole plant interactions with soil and atmosphere and interkingdom interactions with microbes and macrofauna through to the role barley plays in cropping systems and wider value chains.
Within the environment research theme, we aim to deliver knowledge and tools which will make barley more resource efficient, more adapted and resilient to future climate, optimised for evolving cropping systems and appropriate to form the basis of future sustainable value chains.
Find out more about the staff working under the Environment theme and the projects they are taking part in.
Senior Research Scientist
Royal Society Fellow
Senior Research Leader
Head of Ecological Sciences
Principal Scientist, Plant-Soil interactions


7 Farming Stories You May Have Missed This Week – May 7, 2021
Need a quick catch up on agricultural news? Here are seven stories you might have missed this week.
1. Making promises to deliver products from green, sustainable farms is easy, but delivering on those promises can be complicated. Take Gunsmoke Farms, which is just northwest of Pierre, SD, for example. General Mills Food Company announced in 2018 that he would convert the farm to organic production. The company planned to turn it into an educational center to teach other farmers “how to implement organic and regenerative farming practices”. Now some of the Gunsmoke Farms’ neighbors say the farm is doing more harm than good to the environment. – MPR news
3. The last remaining wells in Chicago, where agricultural commodity options traders have always shouted their bids, will shut down permanently, CME Group said this week. Futures trading had already been replaced entirely by electronic trading, while option pits were active until March 2020, when COVID-19 measures forced them to be closed. – Agricultural futures
4. A federal judge ruled that the USDA removal of processing speed limits in slaughterhouses did not take into account the safety of workers. The USDA has notified pork processors that they should not process more than 1,106 hogs per hour as a result of the decision. Seaboard Foods wants to pursue a 10.5 month deadline for a federal court decision that would force him to slow down the speed of slaughtering hogs at his pork slaughter plant in Oklahoma. – Food diving, Complaints log
5. Beef by-product sales increased by 24% in 2020 more than a year earlier, but climatologists believe this trend needs to be corrected. Epicurious, a popular publication for foodies, will not be releasing new recipes with beef. Columnist of BEEF magazine Amanda radke gives him his opinion on the decision. – The Hill, BEEF
6. India wheat harvest is expected to be the second highest on record in MY 2021-2022. The Indian government is providing free grains, wheat and rice, to reduce potential economic hardship as the country faces a Covid-19 epidemic. Wheat and rice are expected to be distributed to about 62% of the population. – World Grain, The Washington Post
Farm Futures content director Mike Wilson spent time with farmers in Illinois and Indiana last week as they did their spring chores. Click on the image gallery to see the joy of the growers preparing the soil and planting the seeds. – Agricultural futures


Are you craving a self-reliance garden?
I mentioned this month that our family is doing a ‘Beat the Grocery Store Challenge’ and in this post I wanted to go into more details of exactly how many crops we’re growing to do this.
Below was the ‘rough draft’ that I shared of what our garden would look like in early summer.
Any of the above crops that are harvested from mid-June to end of August have the soil amended and new crops directly sown or transplanted.
I don’t just sow my crops once at the beginning of the season and preserve the crops for the off-season. I try and get early spring harvests with overwintering and season extenders, and I grow pre and post crops around my main season ones.
Keep in mind this garden is tailored to OUR family’s diet, grocery store purchase habits and climate.
Everyones diet is different and it’s my belief that smart garden planning is growing what crops works best for your household in your location.
I talk more about planning your family food garden in my book
How do you grow a self-reliance garden?
Below is a rough example of how many crops we’re growing this season. We’re able to do this in our zone 5 Canadian mountain climate using season extenders to have year-round growing in the spring, fall and even winter months. We’re preserving a lot of food for the off-season, using a cold room to store many crops and planning a large winter garden. This is my 8th year gardening so I feel like my skills are ready for this.
It takes a lot of careful garden planning, a lot of re-arranging and changing things around to get the hang of large-scale gardening.
I’m thankful that I don’t NEED my self-reliance garden, I’m practicing these skills…well just incase SHTF 🙂
One way I stay organized is using my garden planning printables. I find it really helps to have a clear schedule of what I have to do and when, especially when it comes to sowing and transplanting schedules.
In the end you won’t know how much food you can grow until you try. I for one am really excited about this gardening season to see if we can do this!
I’ll be writing about it all as we go, and how our self-reliance garden turned out so keep checking back.


OLD FAMILY FARM V126.96.36.199
Welcome to the old family farm 2019.
This is a small map based on what an American farm might have been like in the old days. There are 4 small farms on this map. The main farm is where you will come in at. Farm 3 is south of town where you can decide what you would like to do. The main sell point is at the Bay Hay N Feed store. There is also the Rail line that comes into town that you can sell your crops at. The dealership is located inside the Hay N Feed store to buy new tractors and implements.
You can sell your extra straw and bales behind the Hay N Feed. All fields are small in size. If you’re into logging there are plenty of trees to cut down for the logs or make wood chips for the sawmill, and too clear land for a new farm. This map has been completely redone to utilize the new features in FS19…
“Please note this is a small map designed for the smaller old-time tractors..”
Credits: Map by GnG Modding Beta testers Mike Grainger Ken Grainger Bryan Murphy


|Category||Engineering and Technology|
The 2014 International Conference on Biotechnology, Agriculture, Environment and Energy (ICBAEE 2014) was held May 22-23, 2014 in Beijing, China. The objective of ICBAEE 2014 was to provide a platform for researchers, engineers, academics as well as industry professionals from all over the world to present their research results and development activities in Biotechnology, Agriculture, Environment and Energy. This conference provided opportunities for the delegates to exchange new ideas and application experiences face to face, to establish business or research relations and to find global partners for future collaboration. The program consisted of invited sessions and technical workshops and discussions with eminent speakers, and contributions to this proceedings volume cover a wide range of topics in Biotechnology, Agriculture, Environment and Energy.


The Krishak Bandhu Yojana, 2022 (KBY) is a state government scheme announced in 2018 under the Kheti Bandhu project of Government of West Bengal. The objective of the scheme is to provide logistic support to the farmers. It was launched on 5th June 2018. Under the scheme, there are 2 components – Assured Income and Death Benefit.
Under the Krishak Bandhu Scheme, the state government will provide Rs. 10,000 per acre (earlier Rs. 5,000) per annum to farmers as well as sharecropping farmers in 2 equal installments. The 1st installment is to be paid in the month of June for Kharif Crops and the 2nd installment is to be given in November.
All farmers who own lands in Rajasthan are invited to register online under the WB Krishak Bandhu Scheme. The assured income component was effective from December 2018 while death benefit component was effective from 1 January 2019. Farmers can now apply online by filling the online registration / application form for WB Krishak Bandhu Scheme 2022.
WB Krishak Bandhu Natun List 2022 – Check Status Online
The WB Krishak Bandhu List PDF is updated every year by the government of Indian Railways. To download WB Krishak Bandhu List PDF and check status online, you will need to follow these steps:
STEP 1: Firstly visit the official website at https://krishakbandhu.net/
STEP 2: At the homepage, click at the “নথিভুক্ত কৃষকের তথ্য” link or directly click https://krishakbandhu.net/farmer_search
STEP 3: On clicking the link, the page to check WB Krishak Bandhu List 2022 will appear as shown below:-
STEP 4: Enter the voter card number, captcha and click at “Search” button to track WB Krishak Bandhu Scheme farmer status through online mode.
Krishak Bandhu (Natun) in West Bengal Budget 2022-23
Krishak Bandhu (Natun) was launched in West Bengal Budget 2022-23. This scheme comprises of financial assistance to farmers amounting to Rs 10,000 per acre or more for the cultivation season. Farmers having less than one acre of land are eligible for assistance, on pro rata basis, subject to a minimum of Rs 4,000 per annum per farmer. Assistance has been disbursed to 77.95 lakh number of beneficiaries under this scheme in 2021-22 out of which Rs 1,818.99 crore in Kharif and Rs 2,216.10 crore in Rabi season have been disbursed as assistance to farmers
The government announced its new ‘Krishak Bandhu’ (Green Power) scheme. This was a major step in reducing carbon emissions in the state and was seen by many as a big step towards zero-carbon economy. The government also stated that it would provide Rs 10,000 per acre for one year to farmers who did not grow any commercial crops and instead practices organic farming. The government will also provide assistance on pro rata basis to farmers with less than one acre of cultivable land, subject to a minimum of Rs 4,000 per annum per farmer
What is WB Krishak Bandhu Natun Scheme?
WB Krishak Bandhu Natun Scheme is a scheme introduced by the state government of West Bengal to improve the lives of farmers and agricultural labourers in West Bengal. Under this scheme, when you cultivate land, your production will be directly transferred to bank account of all eligible farmers/share-croppers within 24 hours. The financial support under WB Krishak Bandhu Natun Scheme will be guaranteed by our Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee who promised she would double the annual financial support for all farmers if they voted her out at 2019 elections.
About Krishak Bandhu Scheme 2.0
Krishak Bandhu Scheme 2.0, the fourth phase of the scheme, was launched on 16 June 2021. The state government has provided death benefits to more than 10,000 farmers and their families who died before 60 years of age. The beneficiaries under this course include 28,000 farmers and their families who would receive Rs. 2 lakh if they die before 60 years of age as well as Rs. 28,000 each for any other farming family member with a monthly income of less than Rs. 4,000.
The Krishak Bandhu Scheme, 2.0 offers hefty benefits to farmers. For example, if you are a farmer and want to take up pisciculture in West Bengal, you will now be eligible for Rs. 4 crore as loan assistance through bank credit. Additionally, there is no need to sell off your farmland and plough back the proceeds into another industry; instead, farmers can apply online and get Rs 17 lakh per acre of agricultural land.


Online Introduction to
Horticulture of Cannabis Course
July 13-August 14, 2020
This summer, UConn is offering Introduction to Horticulture of Cannabis (UCONN SPSS 2130) in a convenient online format. The course is a 3-credit course and can be completed 100% online from anywhere in the world. This course is designed to provide an intensive, but introductory overview of the horticultural techniques used to grow and manage this medically important and high value crop.
Cannabis, one of today's hottest and most lucrative crops. There is increasing interest in the U.S. about growing Cannabis as a recreational crop, and also medical usefulness of cannabinoids such as cannabidiol (CBD).
Horticulture of Cannabis course is taught by UConn's instructors, Matthew Debacco and Gerald Berkowitz.
Introduction to Horticulture of Cannabis (SPSS 2130)
This 100% online course focuses on growing cycles of Cannabis from both macro and microscopic scales. Students will develop an understanding of some of the common challenges with Cannabis production and how to best identify and correct these issues. Lectures focus on horticultural management of a Cannabis crop grown in the field and in controlled environment. Production techniques specific to Cannabis will be covered, including, elite seed production (feminization), propagation of clones from ‘mother plant’ cuttings, pruning and plant training, maximizing cannabinoid levels, post-harvest handling and cannabinoid/THC extraction. Beyond horticulture, some lectures focus on various aspects of the Cannabis business.
Course material will be presented at the introductory level; the class is designed for students with diverse academic backgrounds; there are no prerequisites. There is no laboratory component to the course. Cannabis plants will be grown for class demonstrations related to specific horticultural techniques.


Multi-spectral imaging is the future of agriculture and Vertical Imagery is ready to help increase your yield. Our unmanned aerial systems give us the ability to fly a route over your crop taking high resolution video. Once downloaded to our system our in house analysis gives you the data you need to grow wild. Precision agriculture can drastically increase your crops output and Vertical Imagery has the tools and know how to accomplish all your goals. Let us utilize precision agriculture so you know every detail about your plants, soil and water. Southern Oregon is the new Napa, let our technology give you the wine of your dreams!


If you’re thinking of planting a garden, you might envision a large soil bed with vegetables growing in rows. Some homeowners picture well-manicured flower beds with brightly colored annuals. However, if your yard is tiny or you don’t have a yard at all, here are a few helpful tips for gardening in a small space.
Small Spaces for Gardening
When you want to plant a garden, you must first assess the available space so you can plan it properly. You might set aside an area indoors, on a small balcony, or on the front porch. Here are a few ideas for making the best use of a small space for a garden at home.
Gardening in a Small Space: Build Up
You don’t need much room to start a garden. An unused corner that gets adequate light is enough to get started. Choose tall, shallow shelving or corner stands that hold pots or planters. Tall shelving provides space without using very much square footage.
Vertical gardens outdoors are also a good idea, especially when you have limited space. Use trellises against fences or walls, leaving room for plant growth. In container gardens, you can grow vegetables, flowers, tomatoes, grasses, vines, and ivy.
Gardening in a Small Space: Indoors
When space is limited, think outside the box. An empty wall is perfect for a vertical garden. Felt planter pockets mount directly on the wall and are excellent for growing herbs and small plants indoors.
Shelving installed in a sunny area is a great place to grow houseplants. Hang small pots of herbs or flowers on plant hooks near a sunny window.
Indoors, low-light plants such as bamboo, pothos, and Chinese evergreen will do just fine in a shady corner of a room.
Gardening in a Small Space: Outdoors
For a small balcony, narrow window-box-style planters are easy to find online or in stores and simple to mount to a balcony railing. Stacking planters are a great space maximizing option for the corner of a deck.
Baskets attached to a post or hanging from a hook provide space for cherry tomatoes and edible flowers like nasturtiums and pansies.
Plants only need water, light, and high-quality soil. How you make that happen is an opportunity to get creative with your living spaces and personalize when gardening in a small space.


If you're growing peaches to eat primarily out-of-hand, you want to choose a variety that is sweet, low in acid and light in color so that the juice does not stain your clothes. Most peaches with these qualities are cling-stone peaches, which means that the flesh does not readily separate from the stone. While this is an annoyance when slicing peaches for baking or canning, it does not present a large challenge when eating peaches out-of-hand. Here's a look at three peach tree varieties that produce fruit that's perfect for eating fresh off the tree.
Belle of Georgia
A classic white peach variety, Belle of Georgia peach trees are self-fertile, which means you only have to plant one in order to harvest a crop. They prefer well-drained soil, and they are resistant to most bacterial and fungal diseases. Belle of Georgia peach trees will stay most productive when pruned each year during the dormant season. Shoots in the center of the tree should be removed to encourage the tree to grow outward.
Peaches from a Belle of Georgia peach tree are large and sweet, making them perfect for eating. Their skins are moderately fuzzy and their flesh does separate from the stone better than most white peach varieties.
Babcock peach trees are a good choice if you live in the southern United States, since the trees don't require as many chilling hours as other varieties. Babcock trees require a moderate amount of maintenance. As long as they are planted in rich, moist soils and receive plenty of sunlight, they should thrive with regular pruning.
Babcock peaches are sweet with a slight tang. Their flesh is stark white in color and their skins have a pinkish hue. Babcock peaches ripen earlier than other varieties and are sometimes ready to harvest as early as late June.
Springtime peach trees grow well in sandy, well-drained soil and full sunlight. They are harder to care for than some varieties of fruit trees. Careful pruning is required to prevent their branches from becoming to overloaded with heavy fruit.
Peaches from a springtime tree are known for being extremely sweet and juicy. They are generally too soft to slice for canning, but their tender white flesh is ideal for eating.
If you're planning on growing peaches to eat right off the tree, any of the above varieties is a delicious choice. Decide which is best suited for your soil type and desired maintenance level, and head to your local nursery to purchase a peach sapling or two. Within a few years, you'll be enjoying juicy peaches every summer.
Have a tree service company, like Tall Timber Tree Services & Nursery Ltd, help you grow and maintain a tree to give you fresh peaches for years to come.


We have a local fruit and vegetable stand close to our house that I love to go to. The produce is always fresh and a great value. I headed there today while I was out running my errands and decided to do a comparison between the produce stand and the grocery store (Fred Meyer, in this case). Here's what I got:
Price at Produce Stand
Price at Fred Meyer
Baby Carrots (organic)
Green Leaf Lettuce
0.77 lbs (2)
Total at Produce Stand = $20.59
Total at Fred Meyer = $29.76
By shopping at the produce stand, I saved 30% over grocery store prices!!!
I did buy Fuji apples at Fred Meyer because I had seen in the ad paper they were on sale for $0.68 a pound versus $1.29 at the produce stand.
So there is two tips for you. 1) Check out a local produce stand for great prices on fruits and vegetables, but (2) don't assume they have the lowest price. Always check your ad papers before your shopping trip.


Organic Guatemalan Single Origin Coffee Beans
This single origin Organic Arabica has medium to high flavour profiles. Hailing from the renowned Finca Ceylan Estate, this smooth rich bodied coffee has a long syrupy texture all the way to the demure finish. Hints of malt and flavours of custard and dark chocolate make themselves known to any palate. Sensational all-day coffee.
Farm Name: Finca Ceylan y Anexos
Owner: Dariush Echeverria Zachrisson
In the cup: Consistent cup, chocolate, sweet vanilla aroma, slight citrus tones and a smooth body with a floral finish
Region: Atitlán AREA: San Miguel Pochuta, Chimaltenango
Altitude: 3,500 – 4,500 feet above sea level
Farm: 268 ha of coffee; Organic Certified by OCIA/JAS/CAAQ EU 2092-91/Suisse Ordenance Farm total – 403 ha
Topography: Mountains with extensive flatlands
Climate: tropical humid, warm weather
Average Temperature: 20 Celsius
Soil: Volcanic soil, clay-like, dark coffee, well-drained and deep, stony with a pH 5-5.5
Annual Rainfall: 3,500 – 4,000 mm
Coffee Varities: Bourbon, Typica, Mundo Novo, Maragogype, Guiexa
Processing: Traditional wet mill (fermentation tanks, water running) and dry mill process
Harvest: October to March
Production: 180 tons of parchment coffee (annual average)
Other crops: Cardamom, macadamia nuts, ‘platano’, banana Natural forest as forestry reserves
Farm History: Since 1870, Finca Ceylan y Anexos has been a property of the Echeverria family producing and processing coffee. Originally the farm name was Finca Ceylan y Colima and later other farms became part of it at that’s why it became Ceylan & Anexos (annexes). The farm hires mostly local labour, generating jobs for people in town. Since then coffee is cultivated; also, for almost 70 years, sugar cane was also grown in the farm to produce ‘panela’ which is used as brown sugar (concentrated). This ‘panela’ was no longer produced since the sugar mill and other machinery were destroyed by strong rains which overflow the farm’s river. Banana was planted originally as coffee shade and then it became an important alternative crop, generating an additional profit to the farm.
Social Projects: Finca Ceylan has contributed with houses, drinkable water and education to its employees and their children. Employees are also benefited by its alternative crops such as oranges, bananas, and ‘platano’.
Environmental projects and water management: The farm maintains the river basins and the natural vegetation that grows nearby. The farm has various water sources which have been protected. Hunting and fishing is prohibited to conserve natural fauna and flora. The coffee residues from the wet mill are used as an organic fertilizer in the coffee plantation, creating a self-sufficient system. The water used in the wet mill process is filtered through oxidation tanks to avoid contamination in river basins. The farm has a natural forest which has been protected to conserve the different species of trees, plants and animals to protect the ecosystem.


How to Get Your Soil Ready
The soil is warm, the tools are out of storage, sharpened and ready to go and the nursery shelves are filled with beautiful plants. It’s time to garden! Well, almost. To give your new plants and emerging perennials a solid foundation for this season, take some time now to prep your garden soil.
What To Do with Weeds: Depending on your zone, the harshness of the winter and the weed population of your garden in late autumn, you may find weeds greeting you this spring. Be diligent in removing all weeds as early in the season as possible. Some early spring/winter weeds have seeds that ‘jump’ when the plant is touched. Pulling or treating for weeds before they go to seed will save you much time and aggravation down the road.
Clean and Tidy the Beds: Cut back spent stems, fern fronds and leaves from evergreen plants, anything that added winter interest to the garden, like grasses, that will be sending up new growth soon and remove any sticks, branches and other debris that has found its way into the garden.
Some Edgy Business: Give your beds a clean sharp edge now, while you have the time and before you are distracted with new plants and emerging bulbs and perennials.
Tread Lightly! There is no reason to compress your well-developed soil by walking in the beds. The less compacted your soil is the better. If the soil is a bit tight from snow and ice depending on where you live, use a long handled tool to loosen the surface. Be gentle, you don’t want to disturb emerging bulbs and perennials. Also, think of your healthy soil as a living organism, a complete ecosystem with each thin layer playing a vital role in the overall health of the garden; the less it is disturbed the better.
Dress it Up! Replenish mulch and top dress with a layer of compost, when the soil has a chance to dry out and is not water logged. Do not mound the mulch around the base of trees and shrubs. Volcano mulching is a big no-no! Reserve some mulch for areas of the garden where you plan to add more plants. There is no need to mulch, move the mulch to plant and then re-mulch!
Maintenance Check: Now is the time to check for leaks and faulty sprinkler heads in your underground irrigation system. Make sure all hoses (porous and non-porous) and sprinklers are in proper working order.
Helpful Hint: Check your compost bin! Winter may have compacted the material in your compost bins, making it difficult if not impossible for air to circulate. Fluff or stir your compost bins to allow for proper water drainage and air circulation to stimulate decomposition.


In dialogue with the specialized agricultural technician, Mauricio Navarro, who arrived at Liberté, along with his co-worker, Silvia Pessolano, told us how the state organization faces this 2023, and also briefly reviewed what the government left behind. last year.
"At INTA we are starting the autumn-winter 2023 campaign," Navarro told us and went on to say, "now we are thinking of placing the seeds in the orchard before autumn."
Regarding a balance of 2022, he said: “it has been a very positive year, taking stock, it turned out very well, with a lot of work and a lot of effort, we were able to overcome the difficult thing”
Regarding Liberté, he said that he reached a stage of great productivity in regards to the orchard, and things are in sight, the work the effort and as a result the excellent production.
He also expressed himself about the crop, noting that there is a high rate of health in the crop, achieved in our organic garden, while adding that there is an immediate replacement of the crop, where something is removed and replaced with another crop, that means that there is a work that is somehow mechanized and systematized, which makes things flow more and more and it is possible to bet on an efficient productive system of yield, as can be seen, with good commercial quality in kilos.
Finally, he also mentioned that everything motivates a lot, despite the fact that it was a very difficult year with many difficulties, which is why it was a very positive balance.
About the work of family gardens, he commented that in the year that he left, many families bet on the garden in their homes, there was a high demand for seeds.
Taking advantage of the free spaces, with the technical help of INTA, it was possible to establish vegetable gardens for those who perhaps had never had the possibility to do so, the economic crisis that affects employment and pockets, has brought the modality of creating their own food where we usually step on the land, fortunately it is a good way out, for those who are unemployed today or the salary is not enough, today they can plant their own vegetables.
The quality of the food also plays a role in this demand, there are many inquiries from people who associate themselves with this work of growing their own food.
Source: Liberté Press


Their mission is to promote urban agriculture to minimize the purchase of packaged products from elsewhere, by cultivating themselves their herbs, flowers, vegetables, etc. The packaging is also thought out to limit the superfluous and the plastic as much as possible. Buying plants at the market is already a gesture, but what are we doing with the plastic trays? Why not start from seedlings? The containers are made with rice shells and are biodegradable, the components are biologic or approved for bio culture.
Their favourite theme: ecology, zero waste, do-it-yourself, urban agriculture, etc. Grow fine herbs, young plants, vegetables, or pretty flowers with this range of products made in Montreal. These all-included kits can be started all year on your windowsill or in your garden. They strive to reduce the environmental impact of their products by eliminating the superfluous packaging and by using as much as possible biodegradable, renewable, and recyclable materials.
Founded in Montreal in 2005, this little company has passed into the hands of this jack-of-all-trades who shares her passion for gardening at home while encouraging an eco-responsible and fun practice. Artist and photographer, she integrates her knowledge in the design of her products, creating an accessible and unique product. She will have known how to give a second life to a unique concept that set itself perfectly in the current social environment: ecology, zero waste, do-it-yourself, urban agriculture, etc.
2019, Rue Moreau #104


Coffee Friend commits to contributing financially to coffee-related foundations and organizations that seek to decrease the impact of climate change on coffee production. We also support organizations aiming to improve the livelihoods of the families involved in coffee farming.
- We commit to donating to ''World Coffee Research'' annually, thus helping the organization to fight the impact of climate change on coffee production.
- We commit to donating to the ''Café Femenino Foundation'' annually, as well as being their VIP sponsors, and therefore helping the foundation to promote the integration of female coffee farmers into various social, political and occupational organizations. In doing so, the Café Femenino Foundation is able to improve the overall quality of life for the entire community of coffee farmers, while also supporting the development of a sustainable economic system.
- We commit to donating to ''Food 4 Farmers'' annually and consequently aiding the organization in developing strategies that would enable coffee-farming communities to work towards food independence and new economic opportunities. By growing food alongside coffee, these communities are generating extra income, bolstering the health and resilience of the local ecosystem, as well as improving their diet.


Welcome to Paygro
The Paygro System™, an innovative world-class composting system, is a patented process that provides its customers with the best quality composted pine bark, hardwood bark and potting and planting soils available.
Available products at Paygro:
Soils, Mulches, Hardscape, and Grower Mix
Hours of Operation:
Monday to Friday: 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM
11000 Huntington Road
South Charleston, OH 45368


Jasmine tea is a type of tea, scented with the aroma of blossoms from the jasmine plant.
Blossoms from common jasmine are placed alongside tea leaves in storage or blended with stored tea, allowing the aroma to infuse.
This type of tea started in China in the 5th century
But it became widespread only in the 17th century when it grew to be a valuable export to Western countries. Today, the tea is mostly produced in China and Japan, and it is enjoyed by locals and people abroad alike.
Jasmine tea is a delicious aromatic drink, packed full of antioxidants...
Organic Nilgiri Winter Harvest Estate Tea exhibits all the body, flavor and floral character associated with the region’s top offerings. Best enjoyed with a splash of milk to open the flavor profile.
Southouse India’s Nilgiri district has truly started to shine. Situated at the meeting point of the states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka, the region offers an abundance of mountain-like terrain, waterfalls, rivers, lakes, and vast, expansive gardens of tea.
During the winter growing season - January and February, when temperatures fluctuate between 20°C (68°F) and 0°C (32°F) - Nilgiri teas hit their peak. As the north winter winds...


29 Iowa counties have had confirmed cases of Emerald Ash Borer infestation, following news of two discoveries in Dubuque County. That means 28 of Iowa's 99 counties have now been confirmed positive--although Winneshiek County remains off the list.
In addition to the southern Dubuque detection, a tree in a rural area just outside south Dubuque city limits was also detected. Both sites were declared positive after the collection of EAB larvae.
"Iowa now has seven counties bordering the Mississippi River that have turned up positive for EAB," said Mike Kintner, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship EAB and gypsy moth coordinator. "Unfortunate as it is, I wouldn't be surprised to see the remaining three counties declared positive within a year."


Lehmann Honored as Top Agronomy Professional
WinField announces top-performing sales agronomists from 2015
Smith Center, Kansas – Jan. 22th 2016 – Denton Lehmann] of Central Plains coop was recently honored for being in the top tier of sales agronomists from across the country through the WinField Summit program.
“We are pleased to honor this group of agronomy professionals who continue to provide insights and recommendations that ultimately help feed the growing world population,” said John Romines, vice president of sales, WinField.
Lehmann recently attended one of the WinField Summit program conferences, which brings agronomy professionals together to network and learn about modern farming practices.
To learn more about WinField, visit www.winfield.com.
About Winfield US
Winfield US is a seed and crop protection business serving nearly 1,300 independently owned and operated agricultural retailers that operate thousands of retail locations across the United States. Through its recognized portfolios of agricultural products, services and agricultural expertise delivered under the WinField® and United Suppliers® brands, the business supports retailers in helping farmers achieve high levels of success in the field.


MANILA, Oct 6 (Mabuhay) — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Thursday pledged to take all initiatives that would help transform the Philippines as a “leading agricultural resource hub” in the world.
During the opening ceremonies of the Agrilink/Foodlink/Aqualink 2022 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City, Marcos stressed the importance of accelerating efforts to improve the country’s agricultural industry.
“The work to improve our agricultural sector and improve the plight of our farmers and fisherfolk has only just begun. We need to continue to open more opportunities to improve their well-being. We are presently only playing catch up,” he said in his keynote speech.
“With our energies and resources combine, I am confident that we will not only achieve our goal of feeding the Filipino people but also achieve our dream of making the Philippines a leading agricultural resource hub in the region and the world,” Marcos added.
Marcos said he had decided to take on the portfolio as Agriculture secretary, in a bid to ensure the stability of food supply and prices in the country.
He reiterated his plan to pursue partnerships for the development of the agricultural sector, noting that having a “more resilient” and “more robust” agriculture is key to economic prosperity.
“Now that we are beginning to see the shape of the new normal, I assure you that this administration is one with you in fulfilling our goals and targets for the agricultural sector. We will build ourselves back better, together with the people who have been our bedrock of strength and of sustenance even [during] the most challenging times,” Marcos said.
Marcos ensured that his administration would continue assisting and alleviating the plight of the farmers, fisherfolk, and livestock farmers and breeders who he hailed as the country’s “great unsung heroes.”
“Because of them we have food on our tables, because of them we have the sustenance we need to pursue our endeavors for the betterment of our nation,” he said.
Marcos said the government is currently implementing programs and offering assistance to the farmers, fishermen and livestock growers to improve their welfare.
He also commended the organizers and participants of the 27th Agrilink/Foodlink/Aqualink trade fairs, saying it is an honor to work with them in pushing for “holistic” approaches that will help advance the agricultural industry.
“It is this commendable that in its iteration, this event has yielded various innovations and recommended solutions that help make our agriculture sector more robust and more resilient,” he said.
The Agrilink/Foodlink/Aqualink 2022, organized by the Foundation for Resource Linkage and Development, is the country’s largest, most influential and internationally recognized trade exhibition on agriculture, food and aquaculture
“I recognize your efforts to modernize the way we produce and market our foods, to further empower our farmers and agricultural workers to do better to work smarter to yield more and to have a better living. Now that we are beginning to see the shape of the new normal,” Marcos added.
Over 500 indoor trades, retail booths and outdoor booths showcasing agribusiness products, information, technologies, market linkages, promotion, equipment and services are participating in the three-day agribusiness exhibition that will be held from Oct. 6 to 8.
This year’s theme of the event is “Inclusive Growth in Agribusiness Chain: Key to Stability,” where the Caraga Region take the spotlight, focusing on the roadmap towards enhancing the competitiveness of its three high-value crops, namely cocoa, coffee and abaca. (MNS)


Zeolite 4AKrzemian glinowo sodowy, Stabilzator PVC, Sodium Alumino Silicate
Chemical characteristics/Chemische Eigenschaften (%)
|17 – 19
|28 – 30
|31 – 34
|18 – 22
Packing: 25, big-bag
Zeolite 4A, fascinating crystalline structures with remarkable properties, have become increasingly prominent across various industries. In this detailed article, we delve into the chemical intricacies and versatile applications of zeolites, emphasizing their pivotal role in different sectors.
Used extensively in the petrochemical industry, zeolites serve as catalysts in refining processes, aiding in the production of cleaner fuels. Their porous structure allows for efficient adsorption and separation of molecules, contributing to improved industrial processes.
In agriculture, zeolites play a crucial role in soil improvement and water retention. Their ability to absorb and release nutrients benefits plant growth, making them valuable additions to fertilizers and soil conditioners.
Beyond that, zeolites are employed in water treatment, acting as effective adsorbents for heavy metals and pollutants. Their ion-exchange properties make them indispensable in purifying water for various applications.
This article provides an in-depth analysis of zeolites, exploring their applications in industry, agriculture, and environmental remediation. Discover the versatility of zeolites and how these unique structures continue to revolutionize processes across different scientific and industrial domains.


Pluton Biosciences is hard at work identifying beneficial microorganisms and putting them to work in agriculture, and just raised a $16.5 million A round to commercialize its most promising finds.
The company raised its $6.6 million seed round in 2021, and I reported then about its approach of identifying and isolating microbes and bacteria that perform useful work. Nature is pretty good at solving problems via billions of years of evolution, and there’s tremendous biodiversity in every scoop of soil or microbiome.
As cool as it is to isolate and study dozens of new-to-science micros, ultimately Pluton needed to choose one that worked as product, not just a project. They settled on what they call a “microbial cover crop” that captures and sequesters carbon and nitrogen in the soil. This process is not just good for the crops and the environment, but it’s potentially a very valuable market; Pivot Bio raised a monster $430 million in 2021 to commercialize a microbial alternative to nitrogen-filled fertilizer.
“We have highly repeatable lab and greenhouse data for several product candidates that sequester carbon and nitrogen from the atmosphere and place it in the soil. Early testing verified growth on soil during the target season on agricultural fields,” said CEO and CFO Elizabeth Gallegos in response to TechCrunch’s questions. Field testing this year should quantify the sequestration process and how the product affects (positively, presumably) the soil itself.
Meanwhile R&D continues, along the carbon side and the more generally environment-friendly:
“We have discovered novel microbes that generate durable carbon that will persist in soils for decades and have the potential to be used in industries outside of agriculture,” Gallegos said. And one of their microbes led them to discover a new molecule that acts as an insecticide against a particular pest, the fall armyworm — that may be their next big product.
The company has doubled in size from 8 to 17 people, and expects to double again over the next year; the physical size of their office and lab was also doubled, and one expects it will continue to grow as well.
The new funding round was led by Illumina Ventures and RA Capital, which tend to focus on genomics, precision health, and other life science verticals. Fall Line Capital, The Grantham Foundation, First In Ventures, Wollemi, Radicle Growth, and iSelect also participated in the raise.
Pluton Biosciences takes its carbon-fixing microbes to market with a fresh $16.6M by Devin Coldewey originally published on TechCrunch


Root vegetables. The staple of the winter dinner table. Those vegetables which grow late in the season and keep well in the root cellar. Those vegetables with the best price at this time of year, as hot house or tropical vegetables command prices well above their taste.
Carrots, parsnips, potatoes, onions, turnips, beets, squash after squash variety. And let’s add cauliflower and cabbage into the mix as well, even though strictly speaking they’re not ‘root’ vegetables. Vegetables that roast well and enrich stews and make hearty soups. Still, by the time you get to the end of February… aren’t you just the tiniest bit anxious for spring and summer vegetables fill up your plate?
Asparagus! Snappy thin stalks of emerald green asparagus with their purple tips. Barely steamed, drenched in lemon butter served hot, or dressed with a balsamic vinaigrette served cold, either way reminding us that, oh thank god, spring is fully here.
Lettuce! Soft, tender leaves support a dash of lemon juice, a swish of olive oil, and enliven a slice of roast chicken in a most temperate way, another gift of spring.
Tomatoes! I want tomatoes that are heavy and sweet and make juice run down my chin when I bite into them. The best of the locally-grown tomatoes is months away but they’re not the only, local, fresh vegetables for which I long.
Sparky scallions, crunchy pea pods and tender peas, the first crop of radishes, the first burst of spinach, tender baby spinach meant for salads, not older spinach in bags perfect for creaming and serving with (again!) root vegetables.
Even potatoes taste different in spring and early summer, when they are those lovely little nubs of tiny new potatoes, potatoes that are perfect for a pot of salty boiling water, cooked to tenderness, squashed open for a pour of parsley butter, a twist of fresh ground pepper. These are not merely spuds, they are the taste of spring!
All this ruminating about root vegetables is a sign, I think, of how long this winter has been. How long and cold and snowy, with little sunshine and seemingly no hope that we will ever see grass, or asparagus, again. I pull dirt encrusted potatoes and parsnips out of burlap bags. I go through my cookbooks once again, seeking another way to make a silk purse out of sow’s ear or, in this case, a delicious gratin of carrots and parsnips. There is borscht one more time this winter, an excellent soup the first three or four times we slurped it down this season. Roast cauliflower is coming to the dinner table this week, perhaps dusted with cumin and turmeric again. Or perhaps smothered in a cheese sauce because everything, even root vegetables in March, taste better in a cheese sauce.
Cooking inventively is the definition of cooking well with root vegetables, and certainly in the winter months, I think it’s definition of cooking inexpensively. Perhaps our mothers, definitely our grandmothers, knew this sort of cooking, in an age when there were few hot houses, little transportation from Florida or California, and really no food coming from Chile or Israel or Australia. So perhaps, because they were not tempted by tomatoes both over-priced and also, sadly, mealy, or thick stalks of Mexican asparagus that has woody ends and the lingering hint of illegal pesticides, or bags of baby lettuce for seven dollars and no guarantee it would not wilt before you got home, perhaps without those temptations, they would continue to cook and enjoy root vegetables. Perhaps it all comes down to the fact that our mothers and grandmothers understood and lived better with the cycle of food that our four season climate gives us.
Whatever this malaise that might affect my taste buds by mid-March, I will rally. I will roast beets and roast onions to go with the pork chops and sauerkraut for supper. I will make another batch of carrot-ginger soup. And I just might “borrow” Neil Perry’s idea for squash pancakes and try a version of these unctuous and savoury treats for myself. All of these choices will be delicious and nutritious, and because they are seasonal also inexpensives. And I will try to remember that last summer, in the middle of corn and tomato and watermelon season, I scrubbed some new beets and roasted them, along with the some potatoes, to round out a barbecue meal because, as I said, “roasted beets are so yummy!”


- 2 min read
Government sets up forum for cooperatives to boost farm exports
Piyush Goyal said the first-ever 'International Cooperative Trade Fair' will be organised to promote exports by cooperatives
He also said the first-ever 'International Cooperative Trade Fair' will be organised between October 11 and 13 at Pragati Maidan in the national capital to promote exports by cooperatives.
There are more than 8 lakh cooperative institutions in India and 94 per cent of the country's 15 crore farmers are members of at least one cooperative body.
"Cooperative Sector Exports Promotion Forum (CSEPF) has been set up in National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) which will work with 20 states and union territories in the area of export," Goyal said at a press conference here.
Stating that cooperatives are in a nascent stage right now as far as exports are concerned, the minister said that therefore, the government's aim is to get them together and encourage them produce and market products for the global market.
Boosting farm exports will help the government achieve the target of doubling farmers income by 2022, he said adding that all concerned ministries are working jointly towards this direction.
The international trade fair is one such platform for cooperatives to interact with global buyers and understand their needs and accordingly produce or manufacture products, he added.
The trade fair, to be organised jointly by commerce, agriculture and external affairs ministries with support of cooperative bodies such as the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) and the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority, will show direction for exporting value-added agriculture products.
Stating that cooperatives are heart of the farm sector, Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said there is a need for all cooperatives to strengthen further to market their products in the international market.
"There were times when one minister and officer was not talking to the other and projects were held up. But today, all departments are working together and preparing programmes for the welfare of farmers," he said.
Minister of State for Agriculture Kailash Choudhary, Agricutlure Secretary Sanjay Agarwal, NCDC Managing Director Sandeep Kumar Nayak were also present at the press conference, where a logo for the trade fair was also unveiled.


Stags in the garden at Fairfield University
The harvest is in at Fairfield University.
"It's so exciting to see it grow," said garden intern Emma Bryant '15, one of two undergraduates who have been tending the University's 3,000 square foot campus community garden this summer. Its bounty - vegetables, herbs and garlic - is being used by campus chefs as ingredients in student meals like a big batch of pesto with pasta recently on the menu in the dining hall.
Overseen by Biology Department Associate Professors Jennifer Klug and Tod Osier, the organic garden is an outdoor classroom for teaching sustainability and the value of growing your own food. Students in "Biology of Food" (BI74) will be planting lettuce in the garden this week while learning about soil, nutrients and weeds, and "Ecology and Society" (BI75) students will attend class there too this fall, for instance. It's also a laboratory of sorts for students such as Jesus Nunez '14, and Tess Brown '07, MFA '11, who helped install a hive of Italian honeybees to learn about pollination. For garden intern, Hillary Maxson '14, a biology major/environmental studies minor, the garden is a place to do her Capstone project on how soil conditions impact the nutritional quality of tomatoes.
"I took the International Environmental Politics course with Dr. David Downie where I learned about GMOs [genetically modified organisms]," said Maxson, showing a visitor around the garden, located across from the Early Learning Center. "That made me say, 'I need to learn about where my food is coming from, so I applied to work here.' "
Planting at the garden began in late May, specifically timed so that the harvest would generally come in when students are back on campus after Labor Day. Its 18 raised beds include carrots and other root vegetables, perennials herbs like rosemary, as well as hot and sweet peppers. Kale and other food were planted just to introduce kids to new food choices.
"Summer squash, cherry tomatoes, jalapenos and lots of herbs have been brought to the dining hall so far," said Dr. Klug, associate professor of biology, central to a rotating group of faculty, staff, administrators and students who help tend the garden.
For Bryant, a vegetarian, the garden has been a major lesson in nutrition - and an opportunity to try healthy new recipes using its produce. Toward that end, she's chronicled her experiments in "Eating with Emma". The blog follows the many drinks and dishes she and Maxson have unveiled at weekly campus luncheons, such as Chamomile Iced Tea and Swiss Chard Dip.
"It's important to open peoples' eyes to good nutrition," said Bryant, an English major with a concentration in creative writing from Shrewsbury, Massachusetts. "Like you can use kale this way or that way. I like showing people yummy recipes."
Meanwhile, Maxson has blogged her journey to living a more sustainable and organic life at "Harvest by Hillary".
"The food industry is so commercialized," said Maxson, of Old Saybrook, Conn. "Now I know how to grow everything. I'm really conscious of what I eat and I'm hoping other students learn from the garden to be aware of where their food comes from."
The three-year-old garden's origins can be traced to the Campus Sustainability Committee (CSC), as well as graduate Dana August '11, former co-director of Leaders of Environmental Awareness at Fairfield (LEAF). The CSC is working to reducing the campus carbon footprint while raising awareness about the importance of being good stewards of the Earth. For more info about the garden, visit http://faculty.fairfield.edu/fairfieldgarden/.
Image: (L-R) Garden interns Emma Bryant '15, and Hillary Maxson '14.
Media Contact: Meg McCaffrey, (203) 254-4000, ext. 2726, firstname.lastname@example.org
Posted on September 16, 2013
Vol. 46, No. 47


Should You Be Buying Organic?
Every year the Environmental Working Group publishes the Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce™. Derived from USDA tests, they found a total 146 different pesticides on thousands of fruit and vegetable samples examined in 2014. The pesticides persisted on fruits and vegetables tested by USDA – even when they were washed and, in some cases, peeled.
According to the 2016 Environmental Working Group’s Shopper’s Guide, strawberries have officially replaced apples as the most pesticide-ridden produce. Nearly all “conventional” strawberry samples—about 98%—tested by federal officials had detectable pesticide residues. In addition to that, 40% of all strawberries had residues of 10 or more pesticides detected.
Protecting your family from consuming harmful pesticides used when buying foods is a primary concern for many but, how do you know when it is important to buy organic and when it’s not? Here are a few tips to help protect both your family and your pocket book!
2016 Dirty Dozen
The dirty dozen is a list of the top twelve fruits and veggies that tested positive for 47 to 67 chemicals. More than 98 percent of strawberry samples, peaches, nectarines, and apples tested positive for at least one pesticide residue. If you are not already, you should consider buying organic beginning with these top twelve produce items. Remember, the thinner the skin, the more pesticides that leak through to the fruit that you eat.
- Bell peppers
- Cherry tomatoes
The Clean 15
Fruits and vegetables on the clean 15 are not absolutely necessary to buy organically because they bore little pesticide traces. No single fruit sample from the Clean Fifteen™ tested positive for more than 4 types of pesticides. Multiple pesticide residues are extremely rare on Clean Fifteen™ vegetables. Only 5.5 percent of Clean Fifteen samples had two or more pesticides.
- Sweet Peas
The Cleansing Solution
Washing produce helps reduce the amount of pesticides and germs that have accumulated on the fruits and vegetables during growing and transport to your home. Always wash produce, even if it is organic! Making your own produce wash is an easy, inexpensive way to protect your family and save some money.
Directions: Fill a bowl or spray bottle with equal parts vinegar and water. (The acetic acid in vinegar kills bacteria and helps to dissolve the wax and pesticide residues found on the skins of many fruits and vegetables.) Spray the wash onto your fruits and vegetables with thick skins and use a sponge or scrub brush to rub it in. For produce with softer skins, allow the fruit and vegetables to soak in a bowl of the wash for a minute or two. Always rinse with fresh water after cleaning the produce in the solution.


Soybean prices have spiraled since talk of a trade war erupted this spring. Soybean farmers in Indiana and Kentucky could earn hundreds of millions of dollars less this year if prices do not rebound soon.
President Donald Trump’s trade war with China and the European Union saw increased import tariffs on American products. Both governments are the two largest importers of US Soybeans.
The resulting plunge in soybean prices is striking an area of the country that helped President Trump win his election in 2016.
Read the full story here.


ToyVelt Fairy Garden Kit for Kids - Grow Your Own Fairy House with Soil and Seeds Plus 15 Exciting Accerioeroies with Music and Lights - The Best Fairy Garden Kit for Boys and Girls Ages 4 and up
- WATCH YOUR MAGICAL GARDEN GROW with this starter fairy garden kit for kids, which will allow your child to plant his own seeds in the fairy garden house and proudly watch them to thrive and flourish in due time.
- GET A COMPLETE GARDENING KIT FOR KIDS: Our cute kids gardening kit comes with soil, seeds, gardening tools and garden furniture - all your little gardener needs to start planting and watering right away!
- HELP YOUR KID RELAX WHILE GARDENING: With soothing music and enchanting lights, our fairy garden kits for kids are irresistible. Press the power button on and watch the windows light up with inspiring light!
- INSTALL YOUR CHILDREN GARDEN SET IN MINUTES: Our fairy garden kits for girls and boys are easy to set up in 3 simple steps. No more miniature fairies houses that give your troubles with complicated instructions.
- SPOIL YOUR BOY OR GIRL WITH A MINI GARDEN SET: Thrill your kid with our educational gardening kits for kids offered as special gifts. Quality-made and colorful, they are the best gift idea for children aged 4+.


It was a warm, sunny day when our friend Peter came round to capture some great photos of the progress we’ve made in March. The bell tent, our first venture into the world of glamping, looks great with Suzy’s home made bunting! The aim is to have a tent that is ready pitched with all the bedding required and a small gas cooker so that visitors can cook simple camp food and make those all important teas and coffees! We are now ready to take bookings, just form an orderly queue behind Charlotte who was first to enquire when we posted a picture on Instagram!
Elsewhere on the smallholding, the chickens are now laying well - about five eggs a day, white and brown eggs. The sheep are happy and healthy, they are enjoying the nice new grass, but the warm weather means Robert has had to dust off the mower and try to keep on top of the lawn-mowing and keeping the pathways clear. On the camping field the horsebox is well on the way to complete transformation and the electric power points for caravans, motorhomes and tents are being connected up this month.
The wild meadow field is a blaze of yellow, with the celandine flowers catching the sunlight. We have installed a couple of nest boxes for swallows and Jim has made an owl box for our tawny owls that we hear on a regular basis. We’ve also got a pair of buzzards circling above the fields, no doubt they are looking for field voles, just like the owls. To ensure that we encourage the field voles, we were advised to keep the grass in the meadow field a minimum of ten centimetres long (4 inches) . Seems to be working!


Food on the Tyne is a Green Branch project started in 2014 following our Back to the Land II conference on alternative food distribution systems. It has been set up to bring food producers and consumers in and around Tyneside closer together and celebrate food production through sharing surpluses.
What Have We Done?
Wingrove Food Hub and Swop a Lots (Scroll down for Swop a Lot info)
Wingrove Food Hub
We carried out a feasibility study into setting up a food hub in Wingrove in Newcastle, and the potential for this model to work across Tyneside.
The conclusions are:
There is demand for a food hub in Wingrove and beyond!
The food hub model could work in Wingrove and across Tyneside. Community organisations would buy from a food hub, and help their members to buy from it.
Food hubs can be economically viable. (Setting up a food hub in Wingrove would benefit from a dense urban population.)
Setting up a series of food hubs across Tyneside would have economies of scale. Producers could sell larger amounts through a series of food hubs rather than through just one hub.
There are producers who would like to supply the hub, but we need to identify more of them.
The computer software we need to run the hub is available.
Food hubs are not just a business but have a social and environmental purpose.
There is demand for education about the food system.
We are currently looking for further funding to identify more producers, and to run a trial in Wingrove. If there are any funders out there who would like to help please get in touch!
The report is useful reading to anyone thinking of setting up a food hub in their town or city. It explains what they are, how they work, financial information and suggestions for working with community groups.
What is a Food Hub?
Food Hubs are usually co-operatives that act as an intermediary, so that the people who grow and make food can sell their produce to the people who buy and eat it. However, unlike a conventional intermediary, such as a supermarket, the Food Hubs have a social and environmental purpose, as well as being a food business.
Their main aims are:
- To make it easier and more affordable to buy local food with shorter supply chains, both in distance and the number of people involved.
- To support small businesses and farms, with producers given a fair price for their produce.
- To support local economies.
- To support environmentally friendly farming and production methods.
- To create change in the existing food system.
- To increase understanding of food production and increase opportunities for people to be involved in food production.
By acting as an intermediary it means that the producers of the food can focus on growing or making it, rather than having to spend a lot of time selling produce. (For example, on stalls at farmers markets or having to become experts in marketing and online selling).
Surplus Sharing events – or Swop a Lots!
People with gardens or allotments often have ‘gluts’ of produce in the late summer and autumn, with far more than they can eat themselves. We organised ‘Swop a Lots’ so they could swop their produce instead of it going to waste.
Items swapped included;
Fruit, vegetables, eggs, cut flowers, jam, elderflower cordial, apple juice, homemade cakes, blackberries picked from the hedgerows, seeds, compost and plant feed from wormeries!
We worked with groups and individuals across Tyneside in the summer/autumn of 2014 and 2015 to put on Swop a Lot events. If you would like to run an event this year, we can give you help and advice on how to make it a success. The Station Master’s Garden in Whitley Bay are planning a series of Swop a Lots during summer and Autumn 2016 – Watch this Space!
Feedback from the swop a lot at the Station Master’s Garden in Whitley Bay in 2014
“Great idea trading and bartering just lovely.”
“The more that are held the better they will be, everyone a little apprehensive about what to expect as this is the first one.”
“Great meeting point to exchange ideas as well as produce.”
“Makes you think of the value of food in a different way.”
“Swapping jars of jam for our green beans, courgettes etc. Great Idea!”
For more feedback read the swop a lot comments
Some other useful resources on Food Hubs;
The Local Food Programme “Social Return on Investment Report” Local Food SROI Report


Industry Tours Offer New Opportunities for Fresh Displays, Growing Techniques
With about 20 acres of growing facilities and another 4 acres dedicated to retail space, Mesquite Valley Growers Nursery in Tucson, AZ, has everything that gardeners need to beautify their outdoor living spaces.
“As far as plants go, we offer everything imaginable, from 4-inch herbs, 4-inch perennials, annual bedding plants to 24-inch box oak trees,” says Noah Donovan, Green Goods Manager at Mesquite Valley Growers Nursery. And they employ a combination of growing techniques to ensure the success of their plant material, whether it’s still in-store or in the customer’s garden.
“We grow from seed for any of our native plants,” Noah says. “We grow from cuttings in many cases, and we also order in plugs from different vendors. We propagate in all of these methods.”
When Noah and his team are searching for new ideas for propagation, new plant varieties or interesting displays for their outdoor retail patio, they turn to what other garden centers and nurseries are doing.
“A lot of my inspiration for propagating new varieties that we haven’t grown yet comes from touring nurseries,” he says. “We’re fortunate enough to go to different industry shows and tours in California, Texas and even as far as Illinois.”
One of the tours Noah mentioned as being a real inspiration was last year’s GCA Summer Tour to San Francisco, CA, where he found some great ideas for displays. “Flora Grubb had really cool uses of succulents in displays. We do certain displays to that effect, but I really liked some of her succulent plantings.” Noah continues, “We look for interesting displays more than anything, but we’re always on the lookout for something new, whether it’s an odd succulent or a gorgeous blooming lantana we haven’t come across.”
But browsing the diverse landscapes of different cities goes beyond the scheduled garden center tours, Noah makes a point to peruse neighborhoods’ landscapes as well as people’s gardens. “It gives us ideas for new plant combinations and what the home gardener wants in her landscape.”
Garden center tours, including the IGC Chicago Monday Store Tour, have been a great source of ideas for Noah, especially since he gets to network and exchange information with other IGC retailers and growers. “It’s great to share ideas with people, whether it’s growing tips or management tips,” he says. “There’s always something you can take away from networking. Even if it is just one small important detail, it can change your year and how you conduct business.”Nursery Sprouted from a Seedling
Twenty-four years ago, Owner Thomas Birt started his nursery business in his backyard growing box mesquite trees and other types of desert trees. “Tom ended up renting a portion of his neighbor’s backyard to expand his growing space,” Noah says.
Eventually, Tom bought a small property for his nursery business then began picking up parcels of land surrounding the area. What started out as a small-time growing operation in his background grew to include approximately 24 acres with a nursery and garden center.
“As the years go by, we increase the diversity in our products and plants,” Noah says. “We’re trying to focus less on volume and more on diversity and quality.”
Today, Mesquite Valley Growers Nursery is known amongst customers as the “go-to” garden center with the largest selection, largest variety and best quality of plants, trees, edibles, herbs, decor and supplies.
Click here to read more Member Profiles.
IGC East Is Fast Approaching!
IGC East, August 4-6 at the Baltimore Convention Center, is the preeminent trade exhibition and conference for independent garden center retailers. Owners, managers and buyers come to see thousands of new products, meet with hundreds of established and rising-star suppliers, attend inspiring keynotes and educational sessions covering every aspect of the business and exchange ideas with legions of fellow professionals.
Register today! Don’t miss 2015’s best opportunity to recharge your creative batteries, rekindle your passion and stock your shelves with a bounty of compelling products. Click here
to register or to read more about IGC East!
IGC Chicago Is Almost Here!
The ninth annual IGC Chicago is widely recognized as single best event for garden center owners, managers and buyers. Each year the entire industry comes to buy at IGC because it has hundreds of exhibitors, thousands of new products and scores of educational opportunities. Plus it's 100% pure garden-centric! This means you will spend more time with the right vendors and less time walking miles of aisles of products you don't sell. It's all here on display for your inspection and order-writing from 700+ new and established vendors spanning spectacular Navy Pier's 210,000 square feet surrounded by Lake Michigan's azure waters on three sides and enchanting downtown Chicago on the fourth.
Register today! Don’t miss 2015’s best opportunity to recharge your creative batteries, rekindle your passion and stock your shelves with a bounty of compelling products. Click here to register or to read more about IGC Chicago!
It Pays To Be A GCA Member at the IGC Shows!
As a member of the Garden Centers of America, there are the additional benefits for you at IGC East and IGC Chicago:
- Savings of $100 on each IGC Retail Conference "All-Access Pass" Package, and $60 off each IGC Show Garden Center Bus Tour registration
- Two free drink tickets per company for use at the IGC Show FREE Tuesday Party & Concert featuring the Gin Blossoms
- Special reserved seating at the Gin Blossoms Concert
- GCA Member Networking Lunch at IGC Chicago
to register for IGC East or IGC Chicago!
GCA Opens Call for Entries - Best Bathrooms
GCA's Best Garden Center Bathroom Awards, now in their fifth year, recognize IGC retailers whose restrooms contribute to the store's favorable shopping experience. The deadline for entries is 5 p.m. EDT, July 17, 2015. The winner of the top honor, the Gold Award, will receive a plaque and one free registration for next year's GCA Summer Tour 2016. Other recognitions will include a Silver Award and several Awards of Merit, honored with plaques. Last year's Gold Award winner was The Garden Mart, pictured above, in Mukwonago, WI.
To enter the competition, garden centers should send several photos of their store bathrooms, saved in jpeg file format, along with a brief paragraph about the bathrooms, the concept behind the designs and their benefits to the garden center. This information, along with the name of the store and key contact, address, phone and e-mail address, should be e-mailed to BestBathrooms@GardenCentersofAmerica.com.
Click here to read more about this contest!


Ceres develops biopower energy crops and cellulosic biofuels. Dr. Richard Flavell, the company’s Chief Scientific Officer, is also an Adjunct Professor of Molecular, Celluar and Developmental Biology at UCLA.
From the company’s press release:
Ceres, a leading developer of bioenergy crops, has appointed William Burnquist as the general manager of its operations in Brazil. An experienced leader in Brazil’s sugarcane and ethanol sector, Burnquist will administer the day-to-day activities of the company’s subsidiary, Ceres Sementes do Brasil Ltda., including local seed production and Ceres’ network of sweet sorghum trials. read full press release


Thursday, June 08, 2006
We first became farmers 11,000 yrs ago
From the BBC, Ancient fig clue to first farming
Ancient figs found in an archaeological site in the Jordan Valley may represent one of the earliest forms of agriculture, scientists report.
The carbonised fruits date between 11,200 and 11,400 years old.
The US and Israeli researchers say the figs are a variety that could have only been grown with human intervention.
The team, writing in the journal Science, says the find marks the point when humans turned from hunting and gathering to food cultivation.


There is a family farm in town called Batey Farms (BateyFarms.com). They also offer a beautiful venue nearby called The Grove (@Williamsongrove), where there are two fields of sunflowers. Last week, those sunflowers were in full bloom and the fields were open to the public. Everyone was invited to come and admire them, take pictures, and even pick a bouquet.
My family along with some good friends of ours decided to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity. We walked through the fields enjoying all the beautiful sunflowers and took lots of great pictures. The boys and I also picked three gorgeous sunflowers to take home and enjoy. Once we got them home, we trimmed the ends and placed them in a vase of water on the kitchen table. They lasted for a few days but then began to lose their petals and droop.
I so enjoyed having them on our table and really hated to see them fade away. Not knowing much about sunflowers, except for their beauty, I decided to do a little research on them. I found out some very interesting facts that I’d like to share with you:
- When the sunflowers are growing, the flower buds and young blossoms will face east in the morning and follow the sun as the earth moves during the day. This is a behavior called heliotropism. Essentially, they turn their face to the sun in order to grow to their full potential.
- A sunflower head is made up of 1000 to 2000 individual flowers which are joined at the base. A single sunflower can have up to 2000 seeds.
- Sunflowers can remove toxins such as lead, arsenic and uranium from contaminated soil. They are a natural decontaminator of soils, and have been used to clean up soil at some of the world’s biggest environmental disasters including Chernobyl and Fukushima.
This really got me to thinking, and I realized as Christians we can be a lot like sunflowers. To grow strong, we must look to the Son, Jesus Christ. To mature and reach our full potential, we must follow Him wherever He moves. Even one person can have multiple seeds of greatness inside them. As we grow and mature, we can plant those seeds producing an exceptional harvest for the Kingdom of God. Through Christ, we have the potential to bring life and healing to others who have been contaminated by the sin of this world.
So, go out and be a sunflower! Seek the Son and keep your eyes on Jesus. Allow the seeds of greatness God has placed inside you to grow and spread to countless others who need His touch. Show love, mercy, and grace to those who have been poisoned by the lies of the enemy. And finally, let us teach our children to do the same.