farmers

Metro Detroit Real Estate   Downtown Plymouth Michigan is a great place to go on the weekends in the summer.  On Friday night they have music in the park. You can stroll the shops and unique boutiques   Kellogg Park Fountain.  A great place to relax while walking your dog or taking your little one for a stroller ride.  On a weekend there will be young p

As flood waters ran through Iowa and other Midwestern states, the nation's corn supply was thought to be in danger. Prices spiked in the wake of the floods, adding to the already-peaking grocery billsthat many Americans are now bearing. But yesterday, in a surprise report, the Agriculture Department said that many farmers had over-planted corn earlier in the season in order to cash in on corn's r

As flood waters ran through Iowa and other Midwestern states, the nation's corn supply was thought to be in danger. Prices spiked in the wake of the floods, adding to the already-peaking grocery billsthat many Americans are now bearing. But yesterday, in a surprise report, the Agriculture Department said that many farmers had over-planted corn earlier in the season in order to cash in on corn's r

As flood waters ran through Indiana and other Midwestern states, the nation’s corn supply was thought to be in danger. Prices spiked in the wake of the floods, adding to the already-peaking grocery bills that many Americans are now bearing. But yesterday, in a surprise report, the Agriculture Department said that many farmers had over-planted corn earlier in

If you’re not heading up to Cork for the Taste festival, this might be of interest to those of you in Dublin or Wicklow.  I have added it to the Irish Food and Wine Event Calendar.  Please feel free to contact me with other items that should be added. The inaugural All-Ireland Farmers’ Market competition takes [...]

Farmers in the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta province of Tra Vinh have in the last two years expanded their peanut crop area, which has helped raise their living standards. Cau Ngang District’s My Long Bac Commune was formerly known as a sandy, unfertile land suited to low-yielding rice crops, but an agricultural restructuring programme helped shift cultivation to peanut growing. Local farmers have

Farmers in Vietnam's Mekong Delta, the country's main rice-growing area, have expanded their rice fields by 25,000 hectares (62,000 acres) after the grain's price increased, Nong Nghiep newspaper reported, without saying how big a percentage increase this represents. An Giang and Soc Trang are the two Mekong Delta provinces that have expanded rice fields the most since the beginning of the year,

Image: Flickr Mountain MikeRural areas in the U.S. are now feeling the profound effects of mounting gas prices, more so than in other parts of the country, due to the combination of lower incomes and heavier dependence on farming equipment, tractors, pickup trucks and vans. In addition to other trends (gasoline theft, buying less meat, switching jobs for a shorter commute), the dilemma has l

As part of the clean energy project, the Dutch Solar Serve and Multi-polytechnics University of Da Nang (MU Da Nang) presented 1,500 solar-powered cookers to locals of Quang Nam, Ninh Thuan and Da Nang city. Apart from ensuring environmental sanitation, the progamme is also designed to protect forest resources. Forest destruction to get fire wood has become a critical issue, and narrowed forest

Chandigarh: To benefit border area farmers, who have land across the barbed wire fencing, the district administration, in association with the Agriculture Department, has been encouraging them to diversify to cash crops and pulses. This will benefit farmers and increase the fertility of land. A major portion of the land across the fencing is not [...]

Farmers who have been compensated and relocated from their land that is now Nghi Son Economic Area in Thanh Hoa Province are experiencing completely different lives. The new economic area encompasses more than 18,000 ha and covers the area of 12 communes in Tinh Gia District. The approximately 30,000 farmers affected by the project received varying amounts of money depending on the kind of land

First a devastating fire robbed a local family of nearly everything. Then a big insurance company tried to take the rest and more, hitting the family with a bill of $420,000. Last October Chris Christoffersen and her daughter Melissa awoke to devastation. The apartment complex they lived in was engulfed in flames. "I watched everything from throughout my life - gone. Gone in just a few seconds,"

A grand opening to a new tradition in LedyardThe day was gloomy and chilly but it didn't dim the enthusiasm for the opening of the Ledyard Farmers Market which made its debut Friday. I admit I was skeptical when I heard the Ledyard Farmers Market would open in the parking lot of Tri-Town Market, although I do applaud their generosity in making the location available. 

It seems just like the other day that I opined on whether companies take to full disk encryption and other data security measures only after they’ve experienced a data breach.  Now, in an act of cosmic timing, the winnipegfreepress.com is reporting that the Canadian Canola Growers Association (CCGA) is encrypting computer data after they lost a laptop with information on 32,000 Canadian far

Reams have been written about the entrepreneurship of a bunch of 120 farmers, headed by Satish Magar, the brainchild behind the Magarpatta city township in Pune. Now, more than 20 km away, another group of farmers have sown the seeds of yet another success story. Together, they have pooled in their land to create a 700-acre canvas for the Nanded city township at Pune-Sinhgad road.Read More:Related

I love this story...it's about a shelter that is thinking out of the box to help their pups find new homes, and taking adoptable dogs to a farmers market. I love farmers markets, and there are a wide variety of people that attend such events to find everything from locally grown produce, to jams/jellies, and even coffee from espresso machines. What a great social place to help a pup find a new fur

For over 75 years locals and tourists have enjoyed a day at the Los Angeles Farmers Market. There are more than 100 shops and restaurants to wonder through in this open air market. Sample food from a dozen different countries or stock up on fresh meats and produce. There are so many places to eat you will have a hard time deciding which place to try first. There is plenty of seating so pull up a

The Capital Times reports that the "Farmers' market fare [is] now available with food stamps":"Participants in Wisconsin's food stamp program are now able to buy fresh food from the Saturday and Wednesday Dane County Farmers' Markets."The program is an effort to help low income families get more healthy, fresh, locally-raised food. In the past, food stamp recipients were restricted from using food

I believe in guerrilla marketing.I believe that since our lives are increasingly targeted by advertisements and solicitations to get people's attention, you need a new angle. It's not enough to smack someone upside the head with a advertisement or marketing pitch... today you need to hit them AND make them say "hmmm."It's in this spirit that I love this approach by our pals at Saatchi and Saatchi.

Many farmers in the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta have turned their vegetable, aquaculture, and other farms into rice paddies to take advantage of soaring rice prices. In Hau Giang, Soc Trang and Tra Vinh provinces, farmers have turned their sugarcane fields into rice fields. Phan Van Biet, head of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in Long My District, Hau Giang, attributed the

Improving the livelihoods of smallholder upland farmers in Laos and Cambodia through improved and integrated cassava-based cropping and livestock systems is a priority project of The Nippon Foundation. To this end, the foundation is funding a cassava research project implemented by the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT, its Spanish acronym) in Asia.Cassava is currently the third

The other day I told The Gent that we would have to go to our farmers market sometime. I think we were driving somewhere and we passed a roadside produce stand and it made me think of the farmers market. This morning while I was thinking of something to cook for supper, I remembered the farmers [...]

This fight is still being fought but already many farmers have lost their ability to sell locally, mostly because the new BC meat inspection rules have resulted in greatly-increased costs and deterioration of the quality of meat processed. Mass processing and stressful travel does not produce better meat - and, arguably can often increase the likelihood of contamination. Carlito Pablo, in the

I came across a local farmers market during my last few hours in Washington DC. Actually, I had already checked out of the hotel and was dragging my suitcase around. But, once I saw this sign, I had to walk towards the arrow and check out this farmers market.I'm a big fan of farmers markets. You always find super fresh vegetables and totally delectable fruits of all sorts. You can't find anything

First a devastating fire robbed a Seattle, Washington family of nearly everything. Then a big insurance company tried to take the rest and more, sending a collection agency to go after the family with a bill of $420,000. Last October Chris Christoffersen and her daughter Melissa awoke to devastation. The apartment complex they lived in was engulfed in flames. "I watched everything from

It’s been a brisk week in Wisconsin. I’ve gone through these days trying to decide if a sweater was necessary or if it really was as warm as I hoped. Usually a sweater improved the situation. Because of the briskness I took the opportunity to fix a few of my cold weather favorites that [...]

The Drudge Report featured some interesting links today, including one providing the title of this post. After The Low-Tech Times covered a story speculating that farmers may switch from tractors to horses if gas prices continue to rise, Breitbart.com reports that some farmers in Tennessee are now turning to mules: MCMINNVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - High gas [...]

Ah, Spring. Among other things of beauty, it brings the return of fresh local produce along with the farmers who grow it. To my undying happiness, after a long winter of relying on the local supermarkets for produce, my local neigborhood source has returned. The Oakmont Farmers Market celebrated opening day on Wednesday, May 21. Crunched for time -- I was teaching a class on Loire Valley wines

GAZA - PalestinInfo : The agriculture ministry in the PA legitimate government in Gaza Strip asserted on Wednesday that the IOF troops had bulldozed vast agricultural areas in the eastern sector of the Gaza Strip which is considered the food basket of the 1.5 million Palestinians living there. According to a report issued by the ministry and a copy of which was obtained by the PIC, the Israeli oc

Rather than watch their poppy fields being destroyed, growers take up arms alongside the Taleban.   Until recently, the Marja area of Helmand province, close to the provincial capital Lashkar Gah, enjoyed relative peace. The main occupation here is farming, albeit with a specific twist – opium poppies take up almost all the arable land. The calm ended last month when the Afghan governme

An organic label does mean something -- for spinach, as an example, it means that synthetic pesticides and fertilizers weren't used in its production. But the label fails to paint a complete picture of the conditions under which the spinach was grown; for instance, it says nothing about whether the workers were treated fairly.Organic processors are currently paying milk producers far too little fo

With the largest shrimp breeding area in the south, Ca Mau Province is increasing its production of disease-free breeder shrimp to supply local farmers. Ngo Hoang Son, head of Ca Mau Province’s Aquatic Animal Health Bureau, said the rise in production had helped reduce an epidemic of shrimp disease. "It has also helped secure food hygiene and safety," Son said. The southernmost prov

Farmers Union: a flower in her bud broken?Set up as an occasional formation Farmers Union played for a half year professional, with a repertoire that consisted of traditional English folk, completed with own material.This was exported mainly electric and in its time [1972] the group was pretty unique.A number of disastrous events followed each other; a chain collision in the Velsertunnel damaged t

It is part of the unique traditions of this community, which was founded by a group of New Englanders in 1803 and is one of the oldest in Ohio. Each Saturday morning from mid-May to mid-October, a Farmers Market is held, capturing the spirit of earlier days when farmers brought their crops to market. Worthington's present-day market lines the streets of downtown Old Worthington drawing each Saturday an estimated 5,000 people who are seeking produce grown locally and throughout Ohio. The market features certified organic farmers and organically grown products, including vegetables, fruit, meats, free-range chickens and eggs, cheese and other dairy products. There are also cut flowers, herbs, large landscape plants, dried flowers and baked goods. Worthington's Farmer Market is the lar

Sugarcane farmers are facing losses amid massive smuggling from Thailand and low input prices at major factories. Everyday, 300-400 tons of refined sugar is being smuggled through the southwest border, causing losses of millions of dong to state coffers, said Dr. Ha Huu Phai, Secretary General of the country’s Sugarcane and Sugar Association. Vietnamese sugar cannot compete with its Thai

A quick read of the report on my most recent meal at Talula’s Table will reveal the wealth of early spring produce that was already breaking ground nearly a month ago here in the Philadelphia area. It takes a while, though, for the volume and diversity of produce availability to reach the critical mass necessary to fuel the opening of farmers market season in this part of the country. Mid-season 2007 at the Headhouse Farmers Market.Given the population density from which to draw and the diversity of its participating vendors, the Headhouse Farmers Market has already found its critical mass. Opening day celebrations for the year were held yesterday under the Shambles at Headhouse Square, the market’s historical location at 2nd & Lombard Streets in Philadelphia’s Society Hill/South S

Two old farmers had hauled a truck load of squirming hogs eighty miles from their west Kansas farm to the nearest market. The old truck had overheated twice; the hogs were keeping the truck rocking, even when it was stopped, and the hot summer Kansas wind was drying them out fast.Within three miles of the market, they passed a tavern and pulled in for a couple of draft beers. The place was dimly lit and air conditioned.After about 20 minutes, one says to the other, "It's going to be really hard to get up, but I reckon we ought to."About that time, a quite obvious prostitute walks up to the bar, works her way in between them, and says, "You guys look about ready for action. I'll do anything you want me to do for $60."The old farmer pulls three $20 bills out of his pocket and replies, "Here

Reuters - If farmers think they have a tough time producing enough rice, wheat and other grain crops, global warming is going to present a whole new world of challenges in the race to produce more food, scientists say.

“It’s just a farm house and looks pretty innocent from the road, but once you’re inside you’ll see what REALLY happens on a terror farm.” Those words opened a radio spot for a movie that would plague my curiosity for years, an advertisement for the Inavsion of the Blood Farmers (1972). I wanted to know [...]

Comments by President Bush today have me left scratching my head. While he was talking about the economic anxiety people in America are feeling, I find some of the comments about farmers, puzzling. If I’m not mistaken, the major oil companies have deflected pressure from their record profits by saying that their business is cyclical and [...]

Avram E Guroff, senior vice president of Agricultural Co-operative Development International and Volunteers in Overseas Co-operative Assistance (ACDI/VOCA) spoke to Viet Nam News about cocoa. What is your assessment of the Vietnamese and global cocoa markets? I think it’s very hopeful in Viet Nam. It looks like production will be going up substantially in the next couple of years. With this

That’s right my fellow Madisonians and Middletonians…today marks the start of the blessed farmeres’ market season. So if you’re reading this on Saturday as you drink a cup of coffee and ponder what to do with your day, get up and go…they’re selling until 1:00 so you’ve got time. I was at the Westside Community Market [...]

I don’t have one of those “This Vehicle Stops at Farmers Markets” bumper stickers because I haven’t found one yet. However, I would modify it somewhat, to “This Vehicle Stops at Farmers Markets, Roadside Fruit and Produce Stands, and U-Pick Orchards”. There are several reasons why this bumper sticker would be an apt metaphor for [...]

I've watched with a bemused detachment as the myth that Spammers and Credit Farmers are destroying Entrecard crops up here and there in the community. There's no denying that it's irritating to arrive on an Entrecarder's site that is just one big ad or is clearly a "made ya look" site. What's boggles my mind is why some folks keep harping on Credit Farmers with such vigor, even after the Entrecard security system closed down the ability for bots to hunt and drop, and limitations were put into place that restricted the number of drops that were allowable per IP address. I've asked the question in the Forums and I'll ask it again here: Where's the proof that Credit Farmers are a threat to Entrecard? I suppose that if the threat is a theoretical one, based on the idea that shrewd entrepreneu

The price of rice jumped from US$393.5 a tonne last January to an unprecedented $561.8 last month. The previous all-time-high was $535 a tonne in June 1981. The average price for the first three months was $478.81 – 44.78% higher than in 2007. "We harvested a profit of VND22mil (US$1,365) for the winter-spring crop with a yield of 8 tonnes per ha," said delighted farmer Le Thien Tai, from My

Facing sky-high crop prices, some in the organic livestock business are beginning to look for organic grain growers willing to sign long-term contracts to supply feed. This kind of vertical integration, which is common in the conventional meat industry, runs counter to the independent spirit of many organic farmers. But tight supplies and the soaring cost of organic corn and soybeans may force changes. Organic products are one of the fastest-growing segments of the food industry. Sales of organic food totaled almost $17 billion in 2006, and production of the grain and soybeans needed for organic livestock has failed to keep up with the demand for milk and meat. Soybeans in particular are in extremely short supply. Organic soybeans were selling for more than $25 a bushel on average in the u

Chandigarh: Nearly four lakh farmers in Punjab are likely to benefit from loan waiver scheme announced by the Union government for farmers in debt. Relief is likely to be in the range of Rs 1,700 crore. The Cooperative Department has worked out 3,21,710 farmers, who have taken loan from the department on short and long term [...]

I thought this would be of interest to those in the listed towns. I think this is a natural if we're looking to support healthier eating in our schools and promote local food. I am getting many calls from many eager schools who would like to pair up with a local farm (or a couple of farms) to make Farm to School happen. Calls are coming from Masset, Kitwanga, Terrace, Telkwa, Houston, Smithers,

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Gamer takes gold farmers to courtEurogamer, UK - 23 minutes agoAccording to a report in the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, a local World of Warcraft player is suing a gold trading firm IGE for damaging the game's economy … Written by Google Inc. and Powered by WordPress

The Colorado gold rushes filled many with hopes of wealth and encouraged them to go to great lengths to pan for rare gold nuggets. Today, living in a state where most think vegetables and fruits come from a major grocery store, I feel like the dedicated gold seeker as I look for fresh, locally grown early spring produce.The longer spring days are urging my body to find local produce that still has its water and nutrient content in abundance. Because our climate is not like California or Florida, most of us have to wait until June or July to shop our local markets. At least that is what I used to think but Santa Fe has a winter farmer's market. I haven't been yet, but I am curious to see what is available there. Maybe Coloradan's just aren’t that committed to local produce.Thankful a few

Crystal Davis Earth Trends - 2008-02-28 Original URL The warmest winter ever recorded in Finland may boost the country's agricultural production by lengthening the growing season, demonstrating some of the early impacts of global climate change. Finland's southern regions experienced average temperatures above freezing point this year and had snow cover for only 20 days, far below the typical 70. Although global warming appears to favor agriculture in this Nordic country, world agriculture as a whole is predicted to suffer as global temperatures rise. The greatest production losses are expected in developing countries due to natural vulnerability and limited capacity to adapt, threatening already food-insecure regions. Change in Agriculture Output Potential Due to Cli

Coffee farmers can increase Viet Nam’s export earnings by up to US$100 million by improving their collection technique, Mr. Luong Van Tu, chairman of the Vietnam Coffee and Cocoa Association, told participants in a seminar on coffee market prospects and quality. Farmers should harvest coffee two or three times a year and should not collect green or unripe beans, said Mr. Tu. Coffee prices rose

Up to the end of 2007, Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Agribank) provided loans and credit services to 80% of farmers in all areas nationwide. The bank's outstanding loans reached over 242.1 trillion dong, of which loans for rural enterprises accounted for 70%. After 20 years operation, from a state-subsidised bank with the asset of 1.5 trillion dong, to date, Agribank becomes one of

Like the great loves of history this one could not be kept in the shadows for long.Rumors were blossoming in the Italian vineyards and whispers grew fast in Dutch coffee shops. Few even went as far as swearing they witnessed the alleged lovers hugging after dark.The great truths of life simply find a way to the sunshine on their own; this affection could not simply be overlooked any more by jealous colleagues and compatriots.It is finally in front of everyone's eyes: Tuscan wine (and olive oil) producers have a deep, intriguing, overwhelming passion for Pugliese farmers!I was just wondering what kept my compatriots from doing their part in the Financial Wines when I stumbled upon this piece of news. It is in Italian, so for those of you who don't speak Dante's language I will give a brief

Like the great loves of history this one could not be kept in the shadows for long.Rumors were blossoming in the Italian vineyards and whispers grew fast in Dutch coffee shops. Few even went as far as swearing they witnessed the alleged lovers hugging after dark.The great truths of life simply find a way to the sunshine on their own; this affection could not simply be overlooked any more by jealous colleagues and compatriots.It is finally in front of everyone's eyes: Tuscan wine (and olive oil) producers have a deep, intriguing, overwhelming passion for Pugliese farmers!I was just wondering what kept my compatriots from doing their part in the Financial Wines when I stumbled upon this piece of news. It is in Italian, so for those of you who don't speak Dante's language I will give a brief

Kishan Kumar was a happy man a year ago, having pocketed more than Rs 4 crore from selling nearly 20 acres of fertile land to Reliance Industries Ltd for its 12,355-acre Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Jhajjar and Gurgaon districts of Haryana. Today, he is one of the many landowners in the area who look back [...]

Met up with Dave last night. He reckons there's far too much political stuff creeping onto the blog. People want to see stuff about pubs he reckons. So, all in the name of research, we had a few shandies in the Eight Farmers last night. Then another couple! What would you like to see on Crewe blog? Email or post a comment...

In 2007, Vietnamese rice exports were just $5 cheaper than rice exported from Thailand. Prof Vo Tong Xuan tells the Sai Gon Economic Times why he doesn’t think this is indicative of a narrowing price gap. What do you think of the idea that the pricing gap between rice of Viet Nam and Thailand is narrowing? The short gap in price between rice exported from Viet Nam and that from Thailand is

 The government of India has announced to write off small- and medium-sized farms’ borrowings from banks and credit cooperatives.  Farmers whose plots are smaller than 2ha are eligible for the concession.  The government outmaneuvers the opposition, who promised last month an all-inclusive version of the election gimmick, if they came to power.  Their proposal would have [...]

These are some rather funny natural allergy remedies passed down from the farmers almanac. I definitely recommend that you do not try any of these natural allergy remedies but I think most people will find them rather amusing. I also think its a good reminder as to why you should always consult a doctor before [...]

India's government announced plans to cancel poor farmers' debts and ease the tax burden on the average Indian, unveiling a budget on Friday that may be the current administration's last before national elections are held.Polls must be held by May 2009 at the latest. But deep disagreements between the Congress party, which leads India's governing coalition, and its communist political allies have led many here to assume an election will take place sooner, possibly later this year.The budget, for the fiscal year beginning April 1, seemed certain to fuel such speculation. It contained a heavy dose of populist measures, including debt relief for millions of farmers and increased spending on employment schemes, education, irrigation projects and insurance packages for poor.Finance Minister P.

Sales Hunters look for prospects that are fully qualified and ready to buy. Sales Farmers may start even before a buyer had a need and will develop a relationship so that when the prospects are ready to buy, these sales can be harvested. Smart sales managers use hunter strategies for buyers who have a need [...]

Why do so many companies accept as a fact of life that 80 percent of new customers are brought in by 20 percent of their sales people? Turning this “fact” around is what separates fast growing companies from so-so performers. More: continued here

KIBAALE territory has distributed disease-resistant cassava cuttings to over 5,000 farmers. The output policeman, Peter Sentayi, said the cuttings, valuable sh30m, were supplied to all sub-counties. He added that the cassava was impervious to drought. Sentayi added that the plan was in cable with President Yoweri Museveni's directive to districts to avail improved farming materials to encourage nutrient protection in the nation.In a December 6, 2006 letter, the President ordered all principal administrative officers to avail improved planting materials to farmers through the Local Government Development Programme and the Plan for Modernisation of Agriculture. Sentayi said Kibaale territory council approved over sh70m for the purchase of both harvest and creature husbandry materials.The ite

The dim light from a candle on a wooden table placed in a fruit orchard was just enough for two people.Two Australians, a man and a woman, burst out crying and hugged each other.A guide in the Mekong Delta tells foreign visitorsabout animal habitats and biological features ofthe area, and shows them a boa constrictorThanh, the owner of the orchard, runs up to them and asks what is wrong.They say: "We feel sorry because we are leaving this lovely place tomorrow. We will miss this unusually peaceful place which exceeded our expectations"This is a story that plays out often in the Mekong Delta where foreign tourists make homestay visits, living with local farmers.They have the opportunity to live like their hosts, picking their own vegetables and cooking themselves.Thanh tells me the story about the two Australians, adding: "It was not easy to create attractive tours for foreign tourists. I had to read books and search the Internet to get information about lifestyles in different c

MANILA, Philippines (AP) - Angelina Jolie's help is being sought by a left-wing Filipino farmers group that wants to call attention to thousands of rural people who have been displaced by increased military operations.[…]Read more!

Audio version here2 Timothy 2:6 The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. (NIV)For the first nine years of my work in ministry, I pastored a beautiful area in the South West of Scotland. The countryside was stunning and as I traveled throughout the area in my car, I often saw the farmers working in their fields. Their lives fascinated me and I was in awe of their work ethic. They do get up before light of day and work long, arduous hours.Their families are all involved in working the farm. The children are taught responsibility at an early age and given their own areas of the farm to look after. It was a joy to be amongst them, and I sometimes miss visiting with them at the farmhouse, listening to their talk about livestock, crops, and machinery.It’s no surprise to me that the Christian faith has much to say about farms and farmers, crops and harvests. Our faith grew out of agricultural religious cycles and many of our celebrations and feasts are lon

To some, Richard Bean is a folk hero: the small farmer who dared to sell local, naturally raised pork chops, ribs, sausages and bacon. To the government, Bean looks like a felon. Since 2001, Bean has sold his pork to restaurants and at farmers markets in the Charlottesville area, where he also offers chicken, vegetables and homemade bread. In many ways, his Double H Farm is exactly what the burgeoning eat-local movement wants: a diversified, family-run farm that sells to nearby customers.But to make farming sustainable, Bean said, he has evaded government requirements that producers have animals slaughtered and processed in inspected facilities. His defiance led to his arrest Sept. 21 when state police officers, armed and dressed in flak jackets, arrived at the Double H with a search warrant and arrested Bean and his partner, Jean Rinaldi. Sources: The Washington Post October 19, 2007

The Farmers Guilds of both Canada and the United States of America are lobbying against Marvelous Interactive, the creators of the ever popular Harvest Moon video game series. John Horton, spokesperson for the Farmers Guild of Canada spurred this cause in to action after witnessing his children avoiding chores at dawn -- instead devoting more attention to doing chores and farming tasks inside of the Harvest Moon world.

This one’s for my fellow citizens of the Keystone State. The Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture (PASA) has put together a brief survey intended to help them collect ideas as to how to build closer ties between food consumers and their local farming communities. If you currently shop at a local farmers market or if you don’t but would like to, please take a few moments to complete their survey. It should be time well spent and will hopefully serve to help strengthen the roles that farmers markets play in our communities.Take the PASA farmers market and local food survey.

I just finished helping with today’s “cosecha” way too early… For those that don’t know, a cosecha is the local name for a grape harvest. The owner of small vineyards in Tenerife usually ask their extended family members to volunteer to harvest (cosechar) all the grapes in a single day. This day normally falls Saturday at the end [...]

With the vernal equinox looming large, I think a seasonal market update is in order. Greens, both lettuces and crucifers, are back. Fall squash, even pumpkins, are ready. And root vegetables – potatoes, sweet potatoes and red beets – are becoming staples.Now certainly reaching the end of their long run this year, I was surprised to find a fairly broad selection of tomatoes still at this week’s market. Perhaps I shouldn’t have been surprised though, after the intensity of flavor in the batch of heirlooms I picked up a week earlier. Regrettably, I didn’t manage to snap a picture of the lovely composed salad they were destined for at my friend’s wedding but I did save a decent shot of a smaller, slightly less diverse batch I picked up back in August.The fruit selection has been one of the surest meters of seasonality throughout the year. The last couple of weeks have seen the departure of peaches and all but the last plums with the corresponding arrival of a growing vari

I love fresh produce. While our wonderful United Market Street grocery store has amazing fruits, vegetables and meats, I like to support local farmers and enjoy the farm fresh bounty of the season. Last year McKinney started a farmers market on Saturday mornings between April and October just east of the square. I was driving to downtown Dallas before I read that my favorite grass-feed meat guy, Robert Hutchins of Rehoboth Farms was going to be set up in McKinney too. He's got a place right outside Greenville that is supposed to be heaven on earth. I keep missing the open house he has but am committed to getting there this year. It's best to email him the order ahead of time if you need any quantities or have your mouth set on one of his juicy, flavorful steaks. My personal favorite is his pork chops. I put them in a brine all day and then cooked them on the grill with some dry rib rub...oh my goodness, they were delish!Robert also brings dairy products from Wagon Creek Creamery in O

I love fresh produce. While our wonderful United Market Street grocery store has amazing fruits, vegetables and meats, I like to support local farmers and enjoy the farm fresh bounty of the season. Last year McKinney started a farmers market on Saturday mornings between April and October just east of the square. I was driving to downtown Dallas before I read that my favorite grass-feed meat guy, Robert Hutchins of Rehoboth Farms was going to be set up in McKinney too. He's got a place right outside Greenville that is supposed to be heaven on earth. I keep missing the open house he has but am committed to getting there this year. It's best to email him the order ahead of time if you need any quantities or have your mouth set on one of his juicy, flavorful steaks. My personal favorite is his pork chops. I put them in a brine all day and then cooked them on the grill with some dry rib rub...oh my goodness, they were delish!Robert also brings dairy products from Wagon Creek Creamery in O

The Economist blog Free Exchange continues to defend free trade, referencing the argument made by Robert Lawrence that trade in the US has not increased inequality:Mr Lawrence's story is basically this. There are two classes of imports: things Americans still make and things they don't make any more. The things Americans still do make are generally produced by well-paid, highly skilled workers. While global competition in their sector may put downward pressure on these workers' wages, this doesn't exacerbate inequality. (Indeed, if they were paid highly enough, competitive wage pressures could reduce domestic inequality.) The declining cost of things Americans don't make any more is pure benefit to consumers, but doesn't exert downward pressure on American wages, since Americans don't earn wages making that stuff any more. If wage inequality is growing, trade isn't the reason.Foreign Policy also comments on the benefits of free trade and the need for major free trade agreements

Joining with the Uptown Council, the Partnership is planning to bring a Farmers’ Market to downtown in January.  But what do you want this market to have?  Would you come to a Farmers’ Market?  Does a market during the week or on weekends work better for you?    Please take a few minutes to complete the online survey.  The survey should not take more than 3 minutes to complete.  Pass this survey on to others you know.  The more feedback the Partnership receives, the better.  To begin taking the survey, click here.

Two opposing forces of the French farm industry clashed over the weekend as small farmers led by Jose Bove launched attacks on crops found on large farms where GM genetically modified crops are being grown. Police had to use tear gas to break up the growing conflicts as two opposing views on farming interact. Small [...]

Today was Farmers Market day, and I am still admiring my purchases. Eventually, of course, we will eat them; for now they are art. Above are the heirloom tomatoes that will become BLTs, and be eaten standing over the sink with a shaker of Kosher salt. The cherry and grape tomatoes will turn into Campanelle with Tomatoes and Feta. Some will probably be scarfed up before that happens. Herbs: Rosemary, Mint and Cilantro. These tiny little peppers (about an inch long) were grown by a family of Hmong farmers that have beautiful produce. I’m not sure what I’ll do with these, but I got them all for a dollar, and I’m betting that they’d be great stemmed and cooked with some onion, garlic and a tomato over some brown rice. Martha Stewart is always flashing her multi-colored Araucana eggs around, and I’ve always wanted to have some. Today, the farmer from whom I usually buy eggs gave these to me along with a carton of brown eggs, then looked in the carton, apo

Pictures of the out door farmers market on the 7th place plaza.  They are here on Tuesdays and Thursdays from May through September.  Check the Farmer's Market web site for other locations. 

As a lifelong Indiana resident, farming has always played a key roll in my life. Sure, my house may not sit on five acres and I may not have ever ridden on a tractor, but that doesn’t mean that I don’t drive past lots of corn on a daily basis. As a result of this repeated produce viewing, I’ve developed a little bit of a soft spot for the yearly Farm Aid benefit.

It's nice to see celebrities who are trying to live a healthy life!Here's Jennifer Love Hewitt buying some fresh strawberries at a local farmers' market in California.She looks so pretty in that long brown dress!More candid pictures of Jennifer and her boyfriend Ross McCall at the farmers' market...Photos found @ imnotobsessed.comMore Jennifer Love Hewitt photos & news:Jennifer Love Hewitt at Comic-Con 2007 Day 3Jennifer Love Hewitt at CBS Stars Party summer press tourJennifer Love Hewitt gained even more weightJennifer Love Hewitt at 2007 Saturn AwardsHas Jennifer Love Hewitt lost weight?

The La Moine River Ecosystem Partnership, have been cleaning up the local area, for instance there have been many illegal dumpsites around the watershed area. There has been good efforts working towards protection of the river from erosion and pollution. Further more they have been working closely with the Illinois Environment Protection Agency (IEPA), in fact they have given a grant of $250,000 to the Prairie Hills recreation, conservation and development group, this is to enable cattle farmers to sign up for additional funding to help them not to use the La Moine as a water source. The eco friendly plan is to have the cattle not use the river for water and the river banks as a food source, which will keep the river bank clear to grow, the vegetation will grow and set roots, which stops erosion and is a natural filter. Source [Macomb Journal] Eco Friendly, ecosystem partnership, illegal dumpsites, North America, river ecosystem, watershed area

Nothing is better in the summer than fresh, local fruits and vegtables!  There are many options in the Athens, Georgia area for purchasing local produce.  Roadside stands abound in the Madison County, Georgia area and other areas around Athens, Georgia featuring everything from tomatoes to corn to watermelons to squash and some exotic vegtables. Just down the road from Athens, GA in the town of Comer, Georgia you'll find a great farmers market. Comer Farmers' Market is open on Saturdays from 8 a.m. until noon, and features fresh food, art, antiques, boiled peanuts, artisan breads and more.  Local growers are invited to participate with table rentals only $5 each for more information call (706) 783-4665. They expect to be open every Saturday through October.  Located at 1926 Madison Street, Comer, GA 30628:  From Athens, take Highway 29, North to a right Highway 72 East, which goes straignt into Comer, then watch fo

FOR adopting good agricultural practices, Tambun Valley pomelo farmers received Malaysia’s Best Accreditatiofl award from Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (Fama). The award recognises the farmers’ efforts to produce good quality pomelos that have become an attraction for visitors and tourists in Tambun, near Ipoh, Perak. Twenty far.mers received the award from Fama director general Haron A. Rahim. The label “Malaysia’s Best” is given to farmers who not only produce good quality fruit but also ensure safe consumption and are able to meet market demand. Haron said there is a need to increase production to achieve the country’s annual export target of RM2 billion worth of fruits by 2010. “Farmers are encouraged to use technology to increase production as the fruits are now in demand by both local and international markets. Fama is setting up offices overseas to promote local fruits in Singapore, Dubai, Japan, China, Netherlands, Thailand,

I've seen for myself how taxing work can be - waking up at 530am everyday and working till past midnight, sometimes even 1 or 2am, for every single day (Monday to Sunday, everyday, for months and years) I can't say I've personally experienced it, only because by doing so I'd have lots of explaining to do on why an intern is working till that hour, when interns usually OT till about 630 or 830pm max. Interns don't have much pressure, except that one time when I volunteered my help and in the end I got chased for work.B272 Christening Ceremony, the HelideckAnd I'm beginning to hate how different I've become since 2005(from the Army days). And I feel I need a good dose of Army living quick. I'm not assigned a Unit yet, does anyone know how to get assigned one quick? Who do I email/call?Structures of steel.I've always come across undergrads who never understand the fortune they're living in. One of the interns at work, an undergrad at NUS, owns and drives a car to work (and possi