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 …
Sunflowers are Bold, Beautiful Blooms Needed in the Garden
The bold, beautiful blooms you need in your garden. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Sunflowers commonly sprout up as buttery yellow and vibrant golds. But, another variety, with deep red petals that appear brown, is the Chocolate Sunflower. And, they provide show-stopping bold and beautiful blooms that you will want to add to your garden. They are great as …
Getting Rid of an Aggressive Weed Before It Takes Over
How to get rid of an aggressive weed before it takes over your garden. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Creeping Charlie is an aggressive backyard weed that is a member of the mint family, which is known for its tendency to spread. This shallow rooted weed also has a minty odor when cut or crushed. If you try …
Grants for Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production Announced
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced the availability of up to $4 million for grants to support the development of urban agriculture and innovative production projects. USDA’s Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovation Production is accepting proposals for planning and innovation projects, and these grants are part of USDA’s broader efforts to support urban agriculture. USDA will accept …
Plant Things That Keep Bees Coming Back for More
How to plant things that will keep bees coming back for more.  That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Bees are one of our most valuable pollinators, responsible for pollinating 80 percent of the world’s plants! That means 1 out of every 4 bites of food we eat is due to the hard work of bees. Its up to us …
Growing Tea for Profit May Be Good for Agriculture Producers
Why you might want to consider growing your own tea for profit. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Tea is a staple in many households across this Land of Ours. And, in recent decades, tea has become a multi-billion-dollar-a-year business commercially, and the trend seems to be continually swinging upward. The good news is a good chunk of …
Helpful Tips for Growing Great Strawberries
Some helpful tips for growing great strawberries. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Aside from good soil, steady water, and six-plus hours of sun a day, there are a couple of things that can help strawberry plants yield more and continue to thrive. One recommendation is to get rid of the first blossoms of the plant so that it’ll …
Collard Greens are Incredibly Agreeable Plants to Grow
Growing great collard greens. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Collards are incredibly agreeable plants to grow. And, they work well in hot southern climates as well as chilly northern states. Dark, leafy greens are the mainstay in stuff-that’s-good-for-you lists, and collards are just that. They’re in the same family as other well-established health food powerhouses like broccoli and kale. Collards are …