(ASA) — The sugarcane fields of south Florida are home to more than just high-quality sugar. The tall stalks provide a habitat to countless creatures that call the region home. Birds, reptiles, and small mammals all live in the farm fields, sharing their habitat with humans that grow cane. It’s been like this since sugarcane was commercially cultivated in the …
World’s First True Red Spinach Variety Released
(USDA/ARS) — USDA Red, the world’s first true red spinach variety has been developed and released by the Agricultural Research Service. Spinach has always been known as a green leafy vegetable. There are leafy vegetables often called red spinach. But these are actually red-leaf amaranths (Amaranthus spp.) or other plants such as Red Goosefoot (Blitum rubrum), not true spinach (Spinacia …
Florida Industrial Hemp Conference Underway
The inaugural Florida Industrial Hemp Conference is taking place in Orlando. The event was put together to foster the development of an industrial hemp industry in the state. Topics at the conference include the latest information on state and federal legislation, growing and cultivation, research, banking and more. Gene Jones, co-founder of the conference, says the program also will cover the …
Best Foods to Can for an Emergency
There are a lot of thing to know about canning food. Cathy Isom reviews some of the best foods to can for an emergency. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. It’s smart to keep around canned foods for making quick dinners and stocking up your pantry. But you should also consider keeping around some of the best foods …
Best Fall Vegetables to Use This Season
Cathy Isom fills your plate today with some of the best fall vegetables you should be using this season. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. There are plenty of Fall veggies that deserve some attention in the kitchen and on our dinner plates this time of year. Some are sweet, some are earthy. Some are soft and silky, …
Commissioner Nikki Fried on USDA Federal Hemp Program Rules
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced its long-awaited Domestic Hemp Production Program rules, following the reclassification of hemp as an agricultural commodity in the 2018 federal Farm Bill. Agriculture Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried, who will oversee Florida’s state hemp program through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, offered the following statement: “The announcement by the USDA is welcome news …
USDA Establishes Domestic Hemp Production Program
(USDA) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced the establishment of the U.S. Domestic Hemp Production Program. This program, as required by the 2018 farm bill, creates a consistent regulatory framework around hemp production throughout the United States. “At USDA, we are always excited when there are new economic opportunities for our farmers, and we hope the ability to …
Alicia Adler Joins NABC, USHBC as Vice President
Resume Includes Securing Over $10 Million in Grant Funds for Specialty Crops (NABC) — Alicia Adler, an experienced grant writing and marketing executive who’s secured over $10 million in state and federal grant funds for U.S. specialty crops, has joined the North American Blueberry Council (NABC) and the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) as vice president. Adler brings a wealth …
Roasting Pumpkin Seeds for Health Benefits
Don’t throw those seeds out! Cathy Isom explains all of the great benefits to roasting pumpkin seeds for a healthy snack. Pumpkin seeds have a lot to offer. They not only taste amazing, but they can be souped up with all different kinds of flavors. They’re also jam-packed with nutrition known to improve heart health. They’re full of good fats, zinc, …
U.S. Sugar Applauds Governor DeSantis’ Support of C-43 Reservoir Project
(U.S. Sugar) — “We applaud Governor Ron DeSantis for his commitment to completing Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) projects that are critical to stopping the damaging freshwater discharges and advancing restoration. As a partner in Everglades Restoration for nearly 25 years, the people of U.S. Sugar share Governor DeSantis’ strong desire to complete all projects that will increase storage and …