Trouble-Free Fruit Tree with a Sweet Floral Flavor and Tropical Twist

Dan Fruits, Specialty Crops, This Land of Ours

The trouble-free fruit tree with a tropical twist. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Tree farmers in the warmer regions of the United States may want to consider switching things up and growing a crop a little less common. The Longan tree produces tropical fruits with a sweet, floral flavor with a juicy flesh. Longans are related to …

Center Providing Plant Management Solutions for the Southeast Region

Dan Conservation, Education, Environment, Field Crops, Pecans, Seeds, Specialty Crops, This Land of Ours, USDA-NRCS, Vegetables

The center providing plant management solutions for the Southeast region.  That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The Jimmy Carter Plant Materials Center is one of a national network of 25 centers dedicated to providing vegetative solutions, and developing and transferring plant science technology to solve conservation issues. Located in Americus, Georgia, it’s one of four centers serving the Southeast …

Plant Materials Center Provides Diverse Climate Plant Solutions

Dan Citrus, Climate Change, Corn, Cotton, Environment, Field Crops, Fruits, Hemp, Herbs, Nursery Crops, Organic, Peanuts, Pest/Pest Control, Pollinators, Pollinators, Research, Research, Seeds, Soil, Soybeans, Specialty Crops, Sugar, This Land of Ours, USDA-NRCS, Vegetables, Wheat

The center providing plant solutions in a diverse climate. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours.  The Lockeford Plant Materials Center is a 106-acre facility located in the Central Valley of California.  It’s about an hour southeast of the state’s capitol, Sacramento, and is the only plant materials in the state. The center provides plant solutions for the diverse …

Pear Tree Pests that Could Ruin a Harvest

Dan Fruits, Pest/Pest Control, Specialty Crops, This Land of Ours

The pear tree pests that could ruin a harvest.  That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Pear trees are one of the easiest fruits to grow in an orchard.  They are also easy targets for Aphids, Codling Moth, Leafrollers, and Pear Psylla which is a very destructive pest. Aphids will suck the plants juices leaving a secretion behind called …

USDA Data Tracks Fertilizer Price Increases

Dan Corn, Economy, Field Crops, Specialty Crops, USDA-ERS, Wheat

Data from USDA’s Economic Research Service details the increase in fertilizer prices. Fertilizer represents an average of 36 percent of a farmer’s operating costs for corn, 35 percent for wheat, and 30 percent for sorghum, according to estimates by USDA. Fertilizer prices declined from 2014 through 2017 before a gradual increase in 2019. In late 2021, prices began to spike …

USDA to Survey Farmers’ Planting Intentions for 2022

Dan Field Crops, Fruits, Hemp, Herbs, Nursery Crops, Organic, Pecans, Specialty Crops, Sugar, USDA-NASS, Vegetables

With the 2022 crop production season soon to begin, the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will be contacting producers to determine their plans for the upcoming growing season. Later this month, NASS will mail survey questionnaires asking producers to provide information about the crops they intend to plant in 2022, how many acres they intend to plant, and the amounts of …

One Company Revolutionizing Farming One Seedling at a Time

Dan Nursery Crops, Organic, Specialty Crops, This Land of Ours, Vegetables

How one company is revolutionizing farming one seedling at a time. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. A fresh food and urban agricultural company is gaining momentum growing fresh, local, pesticide-free produce year round. You may have seen the Gotham Greens name brands on lettuces, herbs, salads and sauces. The company operates a handful of hydroponic greenhouse facilities …

Update for Producers Impacted by Freezing Temperatures Provided by Florida Ag Commissioner

Dan Citrus, Field Crops, Florida, Fruits, Specialty Crops, Vegetables, Weather

Emergency Order Issued as Assessments Continue (Tallahassee, FL/February 4, 2022/FDACS) — The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) had staff in the fields as producers continue to assess damages caused by recent freezing temperatures and work to salvage impacted produce. On Thursday, the Florida Department of Transportation issued an emergency order helping farmers impacted by freezing temperatures to move as …