Surprising Health Benefits to Know About Pumpkins

Dan Fruits, Specialty Crops, This Land of Ours, Vegetables

The health benefits that may surprise you about pumpkins. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours.  Pumpkins offer a lot more than one night of carving fun and scary faces. Consuming pumpkin regularly can improve your immunity, give your digestion a boost, and even protect you against many chronic diseases.  Pumpkin is also a good source of vitamin C, vitamin E, …

Need to Know Points About Growing Winter Squash

Dan Field Crops, Fruits, Specialty Crops, This Land of Ours, Vegetables

All you need to know about growing your own winter squash. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours.  Winter squash are all known for the hard skins that protect them through the fall, winter, and sometimes even spring, depending on the variety. If you love roasted squash or pumpkin pie, then Pumpkins, Butternut and Spaghetti Squash are the plants for …

Plan Ahead for Bountiful Pumpkin Harvest Next Year

Dan Field Crops, Fruits, Specialty Crops, This Land of Ours, Vegetables

How to plan for bountiful pumpkin harvest next year.  That’s coming up on This Land of Ours.  While some areas in the United States may be experiencing a pumpkin shortage due to weather and shipping issues, why not plan ahead for next year and grow your own pumpkins. These members of the squash family are easy to grow in your …

Recycle Those Halloween Pumpkins After the Holiday

Dan Fruits, Specialty Crops, This Land of Ours, Vegetables

What to do with your Halloween pumpkins after the holiday is over.  That’s coming up on This Land of Ours.  Every year, thousands of pumpkins get tossed in the trash – adding up to about 1.3 billion pounds of pumpkins ending up in landfills.  That’s according to the U.S. Department of Energy. But there are plenty of ways to recycle …

Tricks for Picking the Best Pumpkin This Year

Dan Fruits, Specialty Crops, This Land of Ours, Vegetables

Some tricks for picking the best pumpkin this year. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours.  With so many pumpkin varieties and characteristics, it’s hard to tell which pumpkin is the best bang for your buck. You could just grab whatever’s at the grocery store, but you’ll get a fresher and more interesting selection at a pumpkin farm. Just like when buying …

Stay Vigilant on Handwashing and Hygiene

Dan Cattle, Citrus, Coronavirus, Environment, Field Crops, Forestry, General, Labor and Immigration, Livestock, Nursery Crops, Organic, Specialty Crops

If you visited any public building or restroom during the COVID-19 pandemic, you may have noticed an increased focus on handwashing and hygiene principles reflected in an abundance of signage on doors and in hallways. While it is great that public awareness has increased in the last 18 months, these have always been important principles, especially for all food-related businesses. …

Large Shrub or Small Tree Needing to Be on Every Gardeners Wish List

Dan Nursery Crops, Specialty Crops, This Land of Ours

The large shrub or small tree that should be on every gardeners wish list.  That’s coming up on This Land of Ours.  When you hear the name witch hazel, you may think of skin care products. But this large shrub or small tree produces golden-yellow, ribbon-like flowers and releases a spicy scent when it blooms in the fall. Although they …

Planting Spring-Blooming Bulbs in Autumn Provide Color After Winter

Dan Nursery Crops, Specialty Crops, This Land of Ours

The springtime bulbs that you should plant in the fall. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours.  Planting tulips, daffodils, and other spring-blooming bulbs in autumn will provide welcome color in your garden after the winter. There are all sorts of bulbs that bloom at different times of the year, but among the best to plant in fall for spring …

Florida Moves Forward with Pot License for Black Farmers

Dan Florida, Hemp, Specialty Crops

Black farmers will soon be able to vie for a highly sought-after medical marijuana license in Florida. According to the News Service of Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration on Thursday rolled out a process for Black farmers with ties to Florida to compete for a designated license to grow, process and dispense medical marijuana. Part of the 2017 law required …

Application Period Now Open for 2022 Hemp Licenses in Alabama

Dan Alabama, Hemp, Specialty Crops

This week, the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) started accepting applications from hemp growers, processors/handlers and universities for a 2022 industrial hemp license. Applications will only be accepted online through the Kelly Registration System at agi.alabama.gov/hempapp. The deadline to apply for a 2022 hemp license is November 29, 2021. In 2016, the Alabama Legislature passed the Alabama Industrial Hemp Research Program Act, Section 2-8-380 Code of …