Weeds are something we constantly battle in our gardens and farms. Cathy Isom has a few suggestions for the best organic weed methods. That’s coming up on This Land of …
Hemp Holds Value for Organic Growers
The development of a hemp crop can be potentially lucrative for farmers, but it can also be a good source of needed biomass for organic growers. President and Owner of …
NIFA Grant Helps Guide Future Organic Research
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) recently awarded a grant that will help to guide future organic research. The grant was awarded to …
USDA Invests $11M In Research That Will Support Specialty Crop Farmers
WASHINGTON (USDA-Oct. 3, 2019) — U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Under Secretary Scott Hutchins announced that the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) has invested $11 million in …
Specialty Crop Block Grant Applications Open for 2020
SACRAMENTO (CDFA-September 23, 2019) — The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is now accepting proposals for the 2020 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP). Each year, CDFA conducts …
Tempering Expectations for the Future of Organic
A new report from Rabobank is tempering expectations for organic production as growth in the sector is beginning to slow. The six-page report “Organic Produce Premiums Under Pressure,” notes that …
Organic Farmers to Harvest Record Acres in 2019
Mercaris issues Annual Acreage Report, organic farm ‘heat map’ tool Silver Spring, MD, (MERCARIS-Sept. 9, 2019) — Organic commodity farmers will harvest a record number of acres across the U.S. this …
U.S. Organic Sales Hit $50 Billion for the First Time
American organic sales hit a milestone last year, surpassing $50 billion dollars for the first time ever. According to the 2019 Organic Industry Survey that was recently released by the …
Impact of Trade on California Job Landscape
Last year California exported about $313 billion worth of goods and services, contributing to multiple areas of the state’s economy. Senior Advisor for International Affairs and Trade in the Governor’s …
Identify and Get Rid of Pesky Garden Critters
Cathy Isom has a few interesting ways to help you identify and get rid of a pesky garden critter. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Aphids are interesting …
Organic Certification Cost Aid Continues With New Farm Bill
USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced that organic producers and handlers can apply for federal funds to assist with the cost of receiving and maintaining organic certification through the Organic Certification …
Last Chance to Comment on OTA GRO Organic Initiative
The deadline for submitting comments on the Organic Trade Association’s GRO Organic Initiative is Tuesday, April 30. OTA is encouraging industry members to provide ideas and feedback on the proposed …
Growing an Organic Garden-Do’s and Don’ts
Cathy Isom has some of the important do’s and don’ts when growing an organic garden. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Organic gardening is an entirely different way …
Biologicals Not Just for Organic Production
The use of biologicals are increasing, and that’s in part to organic production growth, but not entirely. More producers are using products like biofertilizers, biopesticides, and biostimulants. These products are viewed …