Preregistration is underway for the 2021 Citrus, Vegetable and Specialty Crop Expo. The event will take place August 18-19 at the Lee Civic Center in North Fort Myers, Florida. One of the purposes of the Expo is to bring together industry members, and this includes Florida FFA officers. They’ve been a big part of the Expo for the past few years, …
Plants That Take a Lot of Heat and Still Bloom Through Dry Spells
The plants that can take a lot of heat and still bloom through a dry spell. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. When summer heat kicks in, its good to know you can rely on a number of drought-resistant flowering plants to hold their own and still produce beautiful blooms and foliage. Yarrow is one of them. The plant …
Freeze Those Summer Strawberries for Delicious Flavor All Year Long
How to freeze your summer strawberries for flavor all year long. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. If you don’t want those summer strawberries to go to waste, there’s a way to make them last all season long. Freeze them so you’ll have delicious fruit for smoothies, desserts, and more. The most common way to freeze strawberries is …
Produce Industry Returning to In-Person to Washington Conference
Members of the produce industry will come together face-to-face at the 2021 Annual Washington Conference on September 20-22 in Washington, D.C. “After a year of virtual events, we’re thrilled to bring our industry back together in person for one of the most important events of the year,” says United Fresh Chairman Danny Dumas. “It’s our opportunity to explain our challenges …
How to Use and Plant the Beneficial Weed Goosegrass
How to use and plant a beneficial weed. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Goosegrass is a weed with many names. Such as cleavers, grip grass, catchweed, stickweed, wait-a-minute, sticky jack, and quite a few more. Almost all of its names are related to the plant being able to hook into fur and clothing easily. But’s it’s not all …
Companion Plants Which Should Be Grown Next to Tomatoes
Some companion plants you should grow next to Tomatoes. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Companion gardening is a technique for expanding your garden and helping your plants thrive. It involves growing plants together that complement one another. For example, some the best tomato companion plants to boost your garden’s success include Borage. Many gardeners believe this herb …
Common Plant Pests and Diseases for a Favorite Culinary Herb
Some common plants pests and diseases for a favorite culinary herb. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Basil is one of the most popular culinary herbs to grow, thanks to its fragrance and delicious flavor. It’s also one of the easiest herbs to grow, so when your basil plants start to die, you wonder what’s happening. There are quite …
High Tunnel System Grants Available in Florida
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida is investing $300,000 in Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG). These are for high tunnel systems that improve weather resiliency and improve degraded plant conditions. Florida State Conservationist, Juan Hernandez, explains why CIG is a competitive grant. Grants will be awarded to applicants matching funds on a dollar-for-dollar basis from non-federal sources that can include cash or in-kind contributions. …
NRCS Providing Support for Urban Farming
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has been assisting urban farmers for over 10 years. Since 2010, NRCS state offices have provided more than $18 million to 130 entities in the form of grants and agreements to support urban agriculture and conservation projects. From 2014 to 2019, NRCS completed more than 18,000 conservation practices totaling $41 million on urban farms …
Essential Steps for Starting Your First Vegetable Garden
Some essential steps for starting your first vegetable garden. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Vegetable gardening at home can be a way to save money while you get up close and personal with nature. For example, even just one plant can be super affordable – about 3 to 5 dollars and can provide up to 10 pounds of …