…building one. The easiest and least labor-intensive method is sheet mulching – or the lasagna method. Layer upon layer of organic material atop the soil. This creates a raised bed…
Benefits of No-Dig Garden Beds
…Beds Imagine a garden where you never have to lift a shovel, dig into the ground and turn up the soil. You just create your garden by piling organic matter…
Initial Progress Made on U.S.-Japan Trade Issues
…Deputy Prime Minister earlier this week. The Joint statement says some “initial progress” on bilateral trade issues such as lifting import restrictions on Japanese persimmons and Idaho potatoes, according to…
Weed Scientist Has Doubts Over Dicamba Restrictions Effectiveness
The Environmental Protection Agency last week declared dicamba under it’s “restricted use” category, but a weed scientist from Illinois has doubts the new restrictions will be beneficial. Aaron Hager, a…
EPA Announced Dicamba Label Changes
The Environmental Protection Agency Friday announced new restrictions for dicamba-based herbicides, classifying dicamba as a restricted-use product. The EPA said that only certified pesticide applicators, or people under their supervision,…
NIFA Invests in Research to Help Boost Organic Farming, Ranching
…The grants are funded through the Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative (OREI) and Organic Transitions Program (ORG). “Organic farming is one of many approaches to making American agriculture sustainable…
Grow Kale in the Winter
…be high in nitrogen, as well being rich in organic materials. The best time to plant kale is when the soil is between 60 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit. As colder…
California Benefits from Specialty Crop Block Grant Program
…of organic and sustainable production practices, along with pest control and disease study. Grant awards also addressed workforce concerns throughout the supply chain. Funding for employee training on new technologies,…
Farm Bill Opposition Groups Discuss Strategy
…on the (conservative) right to the Organic Consumers Association and the U.S. Public Interest Research Group on the (liberal) left. Agri-Pulse attended the meeting and noted that there are going…
Medfly Quarantine Affects Solano Farms
…quarantine. The answer was to apply an organic insecticide to the crops four times during a 30-day period. Lum decided to do that, with the first application taking place on…
RFA Thanks 38 Senators for Leadership
…countries to impose trade restrictions that would only further erode demand for ethanol. It is a complete betrayal of promises made to farmers and consumers across this country to protect…
Methods for Building Fertile Soil
…nitrogen-fixing plants – since nitrogen is the main ingredient in most fertilizers. Plant green manure during rest periods when crops aren’t being produced. Don’t forget to mulch – using organic…
Organic Field Crop Production Numbers Rising
Organic farming is a rapidly growing segment of U.S. agriculture. Organic vegetables, fruits, and livestock make up the bulk of the entire segment. However, a new USDA report shows organic…
Mexico Says U.S. Proposals Would Threaten Free Ag Trade
…form of “managed trade” by establishing seasonal ag trade restrictions in North America. The president of the Mexican National Agriculture and Livestock Council offered an example of what that means….