A Washington State marijuana grower argues his farm should be exempt from the state’s Clean Air Act because it is an agricultural activity. An appeals panel will tour the operation this month to help decide whether smells from the harvest of marijuana should have the same leniency as odors from raising livestock and other agricultural activities, according to the Capital …
USDA Survey Shows Millennials Prefer Fruits, Vegetables
A recent Department of Agriculture report shows that millennials prefer fruits and vegetables over grains and meats. The USDA report analyzed food-buying data by generation. Agri-Pulse reports that millennials spend the smallest share of their food budgets on grains, white meat and red meat. Millennials, those born between 1981 and the mid-2000s, are now the largest, most diverse living generation, …
Produce Safety Rule Implementation Nearing
The Produce Safety Rule, part of the Food Safety Modernization Act, will go into effect January 26 for farms with $500,000 or more in revenue. The Food and Drug Administration has emphasized the first year will focus less on regulation and compliance and more on education and readiness. Regardless, AFBF economist Veronica Nigh says produce growers need to be ready …
Celebrating National Fruitcake Day
Cathy Isom gives us a bit of history about a day celebrated by fruitcake lovers young and old. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Celebrating National Fruitcake Day Christmas may by behind us, but one holiday tradition continues across the United States on this day which is known as National Fruitcake Day. Every year on December 27th so many …
Hops Industry Toasting This Holiday Season
There’s an awful lot for the hops industry to be toasting to this holiday season. The USDA Economic Research Service released numbers this week showing that hops production in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington jumped 20 percent this year to a record 104 million pounds. While there are other states that produce hops, those three states account for the bulk of …
UF Assistant Professor Wins National Agronomy Award for Innovative Sugarcane Research
A University of Florida plant scientist, who has created varieties of sugarcane that are grown across more than 90 percent of Florida and in several Central American countries, has been given a national award for his innovative work. The American Society of Agronomy has awarded the Early Career Scientist Award to Hardev Sandhu, a sugarcane specialist at the UF Institute …
USDA Announces National Watermelon Promotion Board Appointments
Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced the appointment of 13 individuals to serve on the National Watermelon Promotion Board. Members newly appointed to serve three-year terms are: Ernesto Chamberlain, Nogales, Ariz. Christian Murillo, Nogales, Ariz. Dan O’Connor, Pompano Beach, Fla. Chadelle Robinson, Las Cruces, N.M. Gerardo A. Lozano, Edinburg, Texas Ward Thomas, McAllen, Texas Members re-appointed include: Mathew Singletary, Alva, Fla. …
Agroterrorism: American Food Supply a Growing Concern In DC
What’s being done to keep the American food supply safe and allow farmers to continue to produce the food and fiber the nation needs? That was one of several topics discussed during a Senate hearing Wednesday. General Richard Myers, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff for President George W. Bush, was asked what currently keeps him up at …
Online Retailer Helps Grow Gardens
Cathy Isom fills us in about how a major online retailer wants to help grow your garden. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Online Retailer Helps Grow Gardens Amazon has plans to help keep your garden growing. The tech company recently received a patent for a new service that would allow users upload photos of their vegetable gardens. …
How to Plan, and Work, Your Winter Kitchen Garden
If you love to grow your own herbs and vegetables, but are unable to because of winter conditions. You can plant a kitchen garden. Cathy Isom has some great tips on growing a winter garden indoors. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Winter Kitchen Gardening Who says you can’t grow all of your favorite produce in the winter? …