From the fire zone, a farmer’s perspective
Editor’s Note: I’m a resident of Ventura who evacuated earlier this week as a result of the #ThomasFire. I have been able to return to an intact home, unlike dozens of my …
Cover crops deliver bee forage
In a previous guest post for UC Food Observer, I quoted my FarmLab message to third graders: “Crops’ are what we grow for people, and ‘cover crops’ are what we …
“Clean floors” give way to cover crops
Clean Floors When I was a kid, you could evaluate a lemon grower with a look at his orchard floor. A “clean floor” was a sure sign of good stewardship. …
Guest Blog: 5th generation farmer Chris Sayer
Planting cover crop in an orchard isn’t exciting work. Fill the seeder and drive. Refill the seeder and drive more. Sometimes a stick might jam in the seeder’s mechanism and …
College students move classroom to an organic peach farm
University of California students gathered at the Masumoto family farm near Fresno to learn about peaches, soil, and organic farming. The 28 global food fellows – representing each UC campus …
We’re treating soil like dirt. That’s a fatal mistake.
The year 2015 has been designated International Year of Soils by the United Nations. Part of the intent is to increase awareness about our absolute dependence upon soil as the …
Soil conservation farming wins converts
Soil conservation farming, also known as no-tillage farming, is growing in popularity. The suite of methods promotes leaving fields untilled, the use of cover crops, and other soil-enhancing practices. The …
Alaska farmer gets big yields from tundra
Tim Meyers is farming Alaska tundra. Last year, the farmer from the remote community of Bethel produced 50,000 pounds of vegetables. Meyers credits warmer temperatures, but says the key to …