A group of 135 farm organizations and banks that supply seasonal loans to farms and ranches today called on President Trump and Congress to put aside political differences and supply urgently needed relief in the wake of weather-related disasters in 2018 and 2019. The organizations highlighted the year’s unprecedented destruction in the letter. Farmers and ranchers are especially anxious for …
Growing Your Own Lettuce
Cathy Isom has a few tips for you about growing your own lettuce. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. There are a variety of lettuce options you can have for your salads – and you can grow them right at home. Such as Arugula, French Crisp, Butter Lettuce, Romaine, Iceberg, and Leaf Lettuce. Lettuce, no matter the variety, …
ADAI Licenses Growers, Processors, and Universities into the Alabama Industrial Hemp Pilot Program
Commissioner Rick Pate announced the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) has licensed 152 growers, 59 processors, and 5 universities to grow, cultivate, process, and research industrial hemp in 2019. Each list is available at http://www.agi.alabama.gov/s/industrial-hemp—home—w-o. “We have had a significant interest in the Alabama Industrial Hemp Pilot Program from potential growers and processors since the availability of applications was …
Lawmakers Look to Hemp as New Industry while Vegetable Gardens Headed to House Floor
With supporters pointing to the potential of a new industry, a House committee Thursday approved a plan for regulating production of hemp. The bill (HB 333), approved by the House State Affairs Committee, would create a regulatory framework that would be administered by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, which is led by Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, a …
Why Create a Window Box Garden
Cathy Isom lets you know why you should consider creating your own window box garden. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. For anyone wanting to grow a garden with limited space, a vacant window is a great place to have a variety of fruits, vegetables, and herbs in window boxes. The idea is to choose items which will …
Why Create Your Own Homemade Potting Mix
Cathy Isom lets you know why you should create your own homemade potting mix. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. There are several reasons why it’s a good idea to make your own potting mix, including: You know exactly what’s inside your soil, you can save your hard-earned money, homemade mix lasts longer. And, you can modify …
Identify and Stop Tomato Pests
Cathy Isom reviews how to identify and stop tomato pests in their tracks. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Tomatoes are one of the most popular garden crops. So it’s natural to want to protect them at all costs. Knowing what type of tomato pest is attacking your garden is the first step to tackling the problem. Some …
A Vegetable with a Crunchy, Peppery Zing
Cathy Isom lets us know about the vegetable with a crunchy and peppery zing that will give you a continuous harvest all summer long. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Radishes are the vibrant red vegetable with a crunchy and peppery zing. They require little fuss to grow, and because they’re ready to harvest so quickly you can …
Tips for Growing Carrots in Containers
Cathy Isom fills you in with some tips about growing carrots in containers. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Growing carrots in containers is easy, especially if you choose the right varieties, and the right soil they need in order to thrive. Carrots are a great addition to any balcony: you simply need to make sure you choose …
Study Sheds Light on Major Disease in Roses
Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists in Beltsville, Maryland and their colleagues have discovered why a mite is causing extensive damages to the nation’s $250-million-a-year rose industry and why it’s so hard to detect and control. It seems the mite hides deep in the flower’s internal organs. The rose bud mite (Phyllocoptes fructiphilus) is about half the size of a grain of …