While technology usually allows more work to be accomplished with fewer hands, James Truman of Surprise, Ariz., has reverted to traditional flood operation in his citrus grove. While micro sprinkler systems use irrigation water more efficiently, they require more extensive attention. Truman Ranch II (http://u-pickcitrusaz.com/truman-ranch) offers Phoenix-area residents and visitors the opportunity to enjoy a … 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
Growing raspberries, teaching the work ethic According to the Washington Red Raspberry Commission, Whatcom County raspberry farmers set a record harvest of 66.3 million pounds of raspberries in 2011, a 22 percent increase over 2010. The previous record was 61.2 million pounds in 2000. Whatcom County’s raspberry production represented nearly 92 percent of Washington’s total … 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
Insect traps for sweet corn IPM Imagine the poor person who goes fishing with a wormon his hook and lands a whale. Worse might be thekid working a farm pond who baits his hook withhalf a beefsteak. The moral of the story for corn growers issimple: know your crop, which pests you are trying to … Read more