How to grow a popular and beautiful mini fruit. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Kumquats are tiny tasty fruits that look like mini oranges. The flesh is a little sour, while the skin is sweet, giving them a unique flavor. Growing these lovely, grape-sized fruits is relatively easy. They’re a good tree for beginning gardeners. They’re self-pollinating so …
Quick and Easy Do-It-Yourself Herb Gardens
Quick and Easy do it yourself herb gardens. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Herbs are among the easiest edible plants you can grow. There are endless possibilities for the way you grow them and what you grow together. Depending on the size of your containers, they can be moved indoors or out between warm and cool seasons so …
Farm Bureau Survey: Thanksgiving Dinner Cost Down 4%
(AFBF) — Thanksgiving celebrations will look different for many Americans this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Gatherings are likely to be fewer and farther between, with social distancing and perhaps even remote family get-togethers. One tradition that continues this year is the American Farm Bureau Federation’s annual cost survey of classic items found on the Thanksgiving Day dinner table. …
Decision-Support Tool Using HiPerGator May Help Manage Devastating Avocado Disease
UF/IFAS researchers are working on a decision-support app to help policy makers and growers decide the best regional treatment options for laurel wilt disease, which is challenging Florida’s $35 million-a-year avocado crop. Laurel wilt disease is spread by several ambrosia beetle vectors. People, whether they grow avocados or not, can spread the beetles when they move infested wood products – …
Time to Consider Growing Your Own Vegetables
Why now is the best time to consider growing your own vegetables. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. We are closing in on almost a year since the COVID-19 pandemic sort of halted the world, forcing us to retreat into our homes and forgo physical social contact. Though grocery stores are open for business, government officials have asked …
Historically Significant Fruit Goes Beyond Food and Medicine
A historically significant fruit that goes beyond food and medicine. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Breadfruit can be found growing worldwide, used for food, medicine, boat building, and to prevent erosion of hillsides. All parts of the tree are used, and they are an important part of the ecosystem, wherever they grow. From the same family as …
NIHC Officially Recognized by USDA Foreign Ag Service
The National Industrial Hemp Council (NIHC) announced it received $200,000 in funds from the USDA’s Market Access Program. Those funds will support export market development for industrial hemp. “We are grateful for the USDA confidence and the recognition of NIHC as the industry leader in industrial hemp trade and marketing,” says Kevin Latner, Senior Vice President for Trade and Marketing. …
Hemp Application Deadline Nearing in Alabama
The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) wants to remind eligible hemp growers and processors/handlers the deadline to apply for a hemp license for the 2021 crop is November 30, 2020 by 5:00 pm (CST). ADAI will accept hemp applications using their new online application system: agi.alabama.gov/hempapp. In 2016, the Alabama Legislature passed the Alabama Industrial Hemp Research Program Act, Section 2-8-380 …
A Few Natural, Healthy Benefits of Growing Beets
The healthy benefits of beets. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. If you’re looking for a natural way that may help you lose weight, or lower blood pressure, and improve overall athletic performance, among other things, then beets might be your new best friend. There are so many healthful benefits beets are known for. Including fighting inflammation, supporting …
More COVID-19 Tests for Florida Ag Workers
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services recently announced updates to COVID-19 testing sites in Hendry, Miami-Dade, Collier and St. Lucie counties for farmworkers. The effort to provide access to no-cost testing for farmworkers is part of a partnership with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, the Florida Division of Emergency Management and county governments. Testing services will continue as …