The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is allocating $7.2 million to Florida as part of its effort to strengthen the nation’s infrastructure for pest detection and surveillance, identification, and threat mitigation, and to safeguard the U.S. nursery production system. Overall, USDA is providing $66 million in funding this year to support 407 projects in 49 states, Guam, Puerto Rico, and …
Growing Kale for Greens Year-round
Cathy Isom gives you a few good tips about growing the low maintenance plant that will give you a continuous supply of greens throughout the year. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Kale has about a dozen varieties and is one of the wonderfully versatile plants that you can transplant or sow nearly anytime during the season. Though …
Mustard Greens-a Good Spring Crop
Cathy Isom fills you in about the raw green with a unique flavor you can continually grow every few weeks. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Mustard greens add just the right amount of zing to dishes, and they’re easy-as-pie to raise. They’re a versatile plant, too. You can grow mustard micro-greens in under a week, or you can …
Tips for Growing the Brussel Sprout
Although it’s not the easiest plant to grow, but worth the effort, Cathy Isom has some tips for growing the brussel sprout. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The Brussel sprout plant may be a challenge to even the most-seasoned gardener, but it can be grown! It will require full sun, at least 6 hours per day. Start …
National Nutrition Month Advice: Eat More Fresh, Fewer Processed Foods
Nutrients from fresh foods give you “more bang for your nutritional buck,” says a registered dietitian with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. “For every calorie, there’s also going to be a lot of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients in that food that contribute to our health,” said Laura Acosta, also a lecturer in the UF/IFAS …
Training for Farmers and Growers on Produce Safety Rule
This one-day workshop is being offered to produce growers. The training will cover the standardized curriculum designed by the Produce Safety Alliance, which meets the regulatory requirements of the Produce Safety Rule under FSMA (Food Safety Modernization Act). The course will provide a foundation of Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) and co-management information, FSMA Produce Safety Rule requirements, and details on …
Perdue Calls on Agriculture to Fight Back against Movement
Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue is calling on agriculture to fight back against the “Fear Your Food” movement. During last week’s Ag Outlook Forum, Perdue said the “Fear Your Food” movement could harm efforts to feed the world’s soaring population and shouldn’t go unanswered. “This growing fear has the potential to sideline, deter, critical technologies that we already use, and derail …
Harvest and Store Your Homegrown Potato Crop
In the first part of her series, Cathy Isom gave tips about growing your own potatoes. Today she fills you in about how to harvest and store your potato crop. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. When you’re ready to harvest your homegrown potato crop, the first step is cutting the water off of the crop a few …
Growing Your Own Potatoes
Although there are numerous varieties, Cathy Isom lets you know about how to grow your own potatoes. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. If you want a consistent supply of potatoes, it’s a good idea to choose two different varieties. Pick an early type that’ll be ready by early summer, and a main crop choice that’ll be ready …
Springtime Vegetables to Start Indoors Now
In the second of her series of preparing your garden, Cathy Isom has tips on the veggies and flowers you can start right now for springtime planting. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. It’s not too early to get your garden going. In fact, some of your warm weather vegetables need a longer growing period, so February is …