The foundation of organic production is building and maintaining soil health. With few exceptions, the inputs applied for fertility and for pest, disease and weed control must be natural, not synthetic. Management practices such as crop rotation, conservation tillage and cover crops are part of a system that strives for fertile soil while enhancing ecological … Read more
About three years ago, Mark DeMichaelis, president of State Garden and third-generation produce processor/distributor, had a talk with his father that would spin the nature of their family business on its head. At the end of the talk, State Garden had a new direction: create a foundation that would focus on distributing healthy food to … Read more
Chestnuts not just for holidays anymore. When Americans think of chestnuts, it is usually in connection with the Christmas song Nat King Cole made famous. However, chestnuts were not only eaten during holidays in the past, Castanea dentate (or American Chestnut) used to be an important staple in the American diet and a graceful tree … Read more
Finding their place in civilian life can be hard for veterans returning from war, but there’s a haven in rural Valley Center, Calif., about 20 miles from Camp Pendleton, where they can take stock of their lives, learn new skills and integrate back into civilian life. “Most of the fighting in Iraq is in urban … Read more
Little-known variety produces between freezes Banana enthusiast and researcher Richard Wallace successfully cultivates fast-producing banana plants in the nontropical climate of Southeast Georgia. Using the Viente Cohol variety, which originated in the Philippines, he is able to plant an 18-inch banana plant after the last freeze of spring, and it flowers and produces mature fruit … Read more