(USDA/ARS) — A scent lure designed by Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists to attract Asian giant hornets played a key role in the discovery of the first nest of these invasive insects in the United States. Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) entomologists have verified several finds of Asian giant hornets in Whatcom County since December 2019. They have been …
USDA Announces Deadline to Submit Wildfire, Hurricane Disaster Assistance Applications
Final Opportunity for 2018 and 2019 Disaster Recovery Assistance (USDA/FSA) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced Friday, Oct. 30, 2020, as the deadline to submit applications for the Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Program – Plus (WHIP+) for 2018 and 2019 losses. USDA did not originally specify a deadline when the program was announced. “The physical and financial loss experienced …
Increase Your Harvest Using Your Own Hands
Todays This Land of Ours program Cathy Isom gives you a few tips about how to increase your harvest using your own hands. When our plants are having a little bit of trouble bearing fruit, even if the flowers bloom, it could be a sign that they need a little help from us in the form of hand pollination. Many …
UF Surveys to Identify Impact of Pandemic on Florida’s Agriculture and Marine Industries
(UF/IFAS) — With agriculture and marine industries occupying a large portion of Florida’s economy, the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) wants to better understand how measures to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 are impacting these sectors. Starting today, faculty from the UF/IFAS Food and Resource Economics (FRE) department are deploying surveys to UF/IFAS Extension agents …
How to Catch a Swarm of Bees Safely
Cathy Isom lets you know what is needed, as well as a simple trick for how to catch a swarm of bees. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. A swarm of bees is, typically, the “old” queen from a robust colony and about half the workers. So that big pile of bees hanging off something is several thousand …
How to Grow Your Own Popcorn Plant
Today, Cathy Isom provides information of how you can grow your own popcorn plant. Homegrown popcorn is delicious with unique flavors that will lead to this being a permanent addition to your garden. You might not realize that there are many different types of corn. You can grow sweet corn, pod corn, flour corn, and popcorn. And there are many …
UF Adds New Beekeeping Class and Apiculture Study Abroad Program to Course Offerings
(UF/IFAS-CALS) —After seeing beekeeping named on a Top 10 list of neat classes at the University of Florida, Carson Beattie wanted to see what the hype was all about. “That’s when I fell in love with beekeeping,” said Beattie, a geology major. “It’s exciting because you’re always on your toes. It’s a good way to destress from other things – …
Attracting Wildlife to Your Garden
Pollinators come in all shapes and sizes. They are also very important for our plant growth and development. Cathy Isom has some ways to attract wildlife to your garden. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. From bees, butterflies, and bugs to birds and toads, wildlife increasingly needs our help in order to thrive. Furthermore, in some cases, to …
Crop Insurance Deadlines Near in Florida
Avocado, Blueberry, and Pasture, Rangeland, Forage and Apiculture Producers Need to Make Insurance Decisions Soon The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Risk Management Agency (USDA RMA) are reminding Florida avocado, blueberry, pasture, rangeland, and forage (PRF) and apiculture producers that deadlines to apply for crop insurance coverage for the 2020 crop …
Producers Invited to Attend Education Meetings
The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension agricultural economists and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) will jointly hold producer meetings throughout Georgia October 8-11. The meetings will address three major government support programs including disaster assistance, trade assistance and farm safety-net programs. Tyron Spearman has more details. Below are the meeting dates, times and locations: Oct. …