The American Fruit Growers held its annual State of the Industry survey. Labor was a big topic in the survey, and one-third of the respondents say it’s not an issue for them, at least not yet. Growing Produce says they typically have a stable team of employees, and in 20 percent of those cases, it includes family members. For the …
Celebrate Avocados in June
A ten-year milestone for a certain fruit. That’s today’s This Land of Ours. Ten years ago, the California Avocado Commission first observed June as the official California Avocado Month and they continue the tradition this year. Avocados are grown by about 3000 California growers primarily with Groves from San Diego to Monterey. The California Avocado Commission was created in 1978 …
Growing a Little Berry with a Big Impact
A little berry with big impact. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Aronia berries have been around for hundreds of years, but they’re just now coming into the spotlight. Greg Nelson is an aronia berry grower, one of the few in the United States. The plant is native to North America, and is also grown in other countries …
U. S. Wine Imports
Imports of Wine Increasing in the U.S. That’s today’s this land of ours. Growing consumption of wine in the U.S. has contributed to an increase in wine imports, from 127 million gallons in fiscal year 2000 to 456 million gallons in 2021, reaching nearly $7.5 billion in value. USDA’s Economic Research Service reports most wine imports come from the European …
Avocados Are Good for More Than Guacamole
It’s a Cinco de Mayo favorite, but avocados are good for more than just guacamole. A study published recently in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that eating avocados may lower the chances of heart attacks and heart disease. They compiled research collected over the last 45 years. Medical News Today says, “After adjusting for major dietary and lifestyle …
Add Years to Your Life Eating the Right Diet
Young adults could possibly add a decade to their life expectancy by eating the right foods, and limiting the wrong ones. Eating an ideal diet could add as much as ten years to the life expectancy of a young adult. That’s according to an extensive study by researchers at The University of Sydney, Australia. Their modeling methodology used meta-analyses, data from the …
Low Pesticide Residues on Fresh Produce
How safe is your fresh produce? We answer that question coming up on this land of ours. Fresh fruits and vegetables and known for being healthy for us, but sometimes misinformation is put out about pesticide residue. One organization even claims to base its misinformation on a government study. So, advocates of healthy foods for American families went to work …
Finding The Truth About Pesticides in Produce
Finding the truth about pesticides in produce. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Each year, an anti-conventional farming organization puts out a list of fresh produce products that they claim are contaminated with harmful pesticide residues. However, there is no scientific evidence to support their claims, and they’re simply false. Another organization works to fight that misinformation. Teresa Thorn …
When to Harvest the Tastiest Strawberries You’ve Ever Grown Before
When to harvest the tastiest strawberries you’ve ever grown before. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. When to harvest strawberries depends on the variety you’re growing. June-bearing strawberries will start to ripen all at once, usually over a period of about three weeks. Everbearing strawberries will produce a few different crops; usually, one large harvest in spring, a few …
Tips for Planting the Tastiest Strawberries You’ve Ever Grown
More tips for planting the tastiest strawberries you’ve ever grown and are better than store bought. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Another strawberry variety option to plant is the alpine strawberry, which produces smaller fruits than other types of strawberries, but their flavor is more intense. These plants do best in Zones 3-9, even in part shade. …