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
Sustainable agriculture is a conundrum facing farmers today. Sustain can mean “suffer,” “strengthen and support,” “bear,” “confirm that something is just or valid,” or “keep going over time or continuously,” according to Oxford University Press definitions. It seems there’s a definition to justify any farming method, depending on your perspective. The 1990 Farm Bill defined … Read more
Taking care of your lawn is both challenging and rewarding and the best part about it is that it never stops. Whether you’re trying to repair the grass or simply keep the pests away from the garden, there are plenty of lawn care products to use for keeping your lawn healthy and well throughout the … Read more