Amanda Deering started her Extension/Research appointment July 1, 2015 in a new role as a Clinical Assistant Professor in fresh produce food safety. Amanda grew up on a farm in a small farming community located in the “thumb” of Michigan and joined the Food Science department in the fall of 2013 as a Research Assistant[Read More…]
Crop production, decomposition of organic matter, using ammonium-producing nitrogen fertilizers, and rainfall all lower soil pH. To maintain soil pH in the optimal range (6.5 to 6.8) for vegetable production, periodic application of lime is needed. The primary form of agricultural lime is calcium carbonate (CaCO3). It is the carbonate (CO3^2-) part that brings up[Read More…]
Pumpkin season is here. Keeping up with best management practices through harvest and storage will help the year wrap up on a good note. The steps below are a reminder of actions that can make a difference. Handle fruit as little as possible. Harvest fully orange and healthy pumpkins. Half-orange pumpkins may turn orange but[Read More…]
In 2014 and 2015 blackleg-like symptoms were observed in some U.S. potato growing areas. The presence of a bacterium of the species Dickeya was confirmed by PCR testing. Symptoms caused from this pathogen may include leaf wilts and tuber soft rots which may extend internally up the vascular system of the stem. USDA APHIS PPQ[Read More…]
If you grow kale you may be interested in the ‘You Heart Kale’ effort promoted by Indiana’s Farm to School program for this year’s Food Day. The “Kale Toolkit” provided by the Indiana Dept. of Education encourages schools to buy kale from local farmers, plant kale in the school garden, let students taste-test kale recipes,[Read More…]
Do you have an idea that might help your farm stay in business for the long run? Be a better place to work or contribute more to the community? Conserve or improve natural resources like soil and water? Reduce use of fossil fuels? The North Central Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program (NCR SARE)[Read More…]
Arthritis and Agriculture. Thursday, September 24, 2015. 12:00 P.M. – 1:00 P.M. EDT. Presenter: Amber D. Wolfe, M.S., from the National AgrAbility project. To participate, register at https://goo.gl/R8Eq1I. You will then receive a confirmation email with the link to participate in the webinar. You will also receive a reminder 24 hours before the webinar begins.[Read More…]
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