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A Secret Weapon in Agriculture’s Climate Fight: Ants

Modern Farmer

Plant diseases cost the global economy hundreds of billions of dollars every year, with between 20 to 40 percent of global crop production lost to crop diseases and pests. Synthetic pesticides can be harmful to humans and animals , and lose their efficacy as pathogens build up resistance to them.

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Guest Post: Is the Future of Organic Food at Risk? Research Funding Holds the Answer

National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition

This translates to healthier food and a healthier environment and reduces reliance on synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. This analysis found that AFRI has historically funded low levels of organic research, while the Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI) has been erratic in supporting organic research projects.

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California Grants to Support Sustainable Pest Control Projects

ATTRA

The projects funded this year focus on a range of practices aimed at reducing reliance on pesticides. One project seeks to develop and promote a biologically integrated pest management program for the diamondback moth in cole crops.

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Cultivating Profits in a Compact Crop

Modern Farmer

It’s a great gateway crop,” says Don DiLillo, owner of Finest Foods in Huntington, New York, for ushering in a new breed of novice farmers. Yet with California’s agricultural hub dominated by large-scale farms and commodity crops, he’s found a comfortable niche at his local farmers market.

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Guide To Starting a Fruit Orchard on Your Farm

Farmbrite

Starting a Fruit Orchard on Your Farm Growing fruit trees or nut trees on your farm is a great way to be more self-sufficient and a great way to add items to your CSA, use the unwanted fruit to supplement feed for your animals, sell at your local farmers market or for personal use. Fruit trees need lots of sun and space to grow properly.

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Are We Backing the Wrong Bee?

Modern Farmer

Lately, though, the state has tried to increase awareness about the capabilities of wild, native bees to pollinate North Carolina’s crops. Cane told me that for pollinating crops such as squashes, gourds and pumpkins, “It’s clear that native bees are the best.” It’s clear that crop yields are higher with better pollination.

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Black Earth: A Family’s Journey from Enslavement to Reclamation

Civil Eats

In a county that was intentionally poisonedand a world suffering from a changing climatehe is reviving the soil under his feet by transitioning away from pesticide-dependent row crops like tobacco to industrial hemp, which is known to sequester carbon and remediate soil, and using earth-friendly organic and regenerative methods.