The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is launching the United Nations’ International Year of Plant Health for 2020. The initiative is aimed at raising global awareness on how protecting plant …
New ARS Strawberry is a ‘Keepsake’
(USDA/ARS) — A new strawberry cultivar, Keepsake, was released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). ‘Keepsake’ is a midseason, spring-bearing, or short-day strawberry (Fragaria xananassa Duch ex Rozier). The new strawberry …
Central Valley Grower Making Strides in Hop Production
The Fowler Packing Company has moved into hop production with the Golden State Hops division within the company, growing five varieties of hops in the Central Valley. The company is …
Double Food Harvest Growing Sweet Potato Vines
Cathy Isom fills you in on why you should be growing sweet potato vines for a double food harvest. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Whether you’re embracing …
Growing a Nutty Holiday Favorite
The holiday season is upon us. Cathy Isom has some tips about how to grow a sweet, nutty treat that’s a holiday favorite. That’s coming up on This Land of …
World’s First True Red Spinach Variety Released
(USDA/ARS) — USDA Red, the world’s first true red spinach variety has been developed and released by the Agricultural Research Service. Spinach has always been known as a green leafy …
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 …
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 …
California Leads Nation in Specialty Crop Funding
The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently announced that California leads the nation in the amount of funding support received for specialty crops. For the 2019 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, …
Best Edible Mushrooms You Can Grow
If you would like to try a different type of gardening, try growing a delicacy like a mushroom. Cathy Isom tells you about some of the best edible mushrooms you …
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 …
Former Agriculture Secretaries Announce Support for USMCA
(Washington, D.C. (USDA-September 19, 2019) – All former U.S. Secretaries of Agriculture since President Reagan’s Administration announced support for the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). In a letter to Congressional leaders, …
Specialty Crops Bolstered Top-Ten Commodity Cash Receipts in 2018
Early data is out for California’s 2018 cash receipts, which shows an increase that’s supported by specialty crops. The California Department of Food and Agriculture issued an initial overview of agriculture …
Why, When, and How to Prune Your Blueberries
If you have blueberries planted in your yard, or garden, then you probably ask yourself about pruning. Cathy Isom gives you a few tips about why, when, and how to …