program

Program Helping Protect Pollinators from Invasive Pests

Dan Pest/Pest Control, Pollinators, Pollinators, This Land of Ours

The USDA program helping protect pollinators from invasive pests. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Bee pollination alone is responsible for more than 15-billion in added crop value, particularly for specialty crops such as almonds and other nuts, berries, fruits, and vegetables. Unfortunately, the honey bees are also vulnerable to invasive pests like parasitic mites, viruses, and predatory …

smart phone app

Smart Phone App Provides Farmers Instant Access to Market Data

Dan Technology, This Land of Ours, USDA-AMS

The new smart phone app providing farmers instant access to market data. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours.  The USDA has launched USDA Market News, a free mobile app designed to give producers quick and easy access to recently published market information right at their fingers tips no matter where they are. Producers can search for markets based …

Using Soil Blocks for Better Seed Starting

Dan Organic, Soil, This Land of Ours

How to use soil blocks for better seed starting.  That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Soil blocking involves creating compressed blocks of soil to start seedlings in.  It’s inexpensive, easier for transplanting, promotes healthy root systems, and is eco-friendly.  And the best part, no transplanting to larger pots. To get started, you will need a seed-friendly soil mix, …

sterilizing soil

Sterilizing Soil Helps Beat Back Bugs and Diseases on the Farm

Dan Pest/Pest Control, Soil, This Land of Ours

How sterilizing soil will help beat back bugs and diseases on the farm.  That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Soil sterilization helps to kill off the pests and fungi that can wreak havoc on farmland. It’s especially useful if farmers have struggled with bacteria, Nematodes, viruses, and weeds. A popular method of sterilizing soil is called solarization. Solarization …

diverse backgrounds

Multi-Million Dollar Gift for Students from Diverse Backgrounds

Dan Education, This Land of Ours, USDA-NIFA

The USDA’s multi-million dollar gift for students from diverse backgrounds.  That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The U. S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) announced a 16-million-dollar investment in agricultural education and workforce development for students from diverse backgrounds. This will ensure that all students, including underrepresented and underserved students, in community colleges …

benefits

Some Benefits of Becoming an Oat Farmer

Dan Field Crops, This Land of Ours, Wheat

Some of the benefits of becoming an oat farmer.  That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Oats are a nutrient-rich grain that makes a wonderful meal not only for humans, but also for livestock. When comparing grains, oats are the highest in protein and many of the newer varieties contain up to 22 percent. They’re renowned for lowering cholesterol …