Ecology, Orchard and Science - Agriculture Informer

Understanding the Connection Between Soil Fungi and Orchard Health

UnderstandingAg

JANUARY 6, 2025

The soil food web that will point the way to many orchard answers quite generously includes us humans within this symbiosis of place. In honor of one my most influential mentors, I would like to revisit and give reverence to the work and teachings of the late Michael Phillips, the original teacher of regenerative orcharding.

Orchard

Orchard Crop Food Farming

Now Available: “Understanding the Science Behind Climate Smart Agriculture in California: A comprehensive literature review”

Caff

APRIL 15, 2024

Photo Credit Bonnie Veblen As part of CAFF’s Ecological Farming Program , we collaborate with farmers to implement and better understand ecologically-based farming practices, which include climate smart farming and soil health practices.

Science

Science Ecology Agriculture Agriculture

Letter supporting America Grows Act

NASDA

JUNE 22, 2023

Letter Dear Chairs and Ranking Members, As organizations concerned about the future of food and agricultural science, the undersigned are writing to express our support for the America Grows Act of 2023 (S.1628), food and agricultural sector which threaten our affordable, safe food supply, farmers’ livelihoods and national security.

Science

Science Agriculture Agriculture Food

Whole-Orchard Nutrient Management & On-Farm Composting at Heartwood Farms

Caff

MAY 2, 2024

On April 10th, Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF) hosted a field day at Heartwood Farms in Linden, CA with farmers Franz Eilers and Emma Wade to discuss all things compost and pest management on their biologically-integrated walnut and cherry orchards. So it’s curious.” That is another piece of the puzzle ,” Emma suggested.

Compost

Compost Orchard Farming Farming

Ecological Pest Management Field Technician – Sacramento

Caff

APRIL 6, 2023

Currently our programming is focused in four areas: Farm to Market, Policy & Advocacy, Farmer Services, and Ecological Farming.

Ecology

Ecology Food Orchard Farming

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

National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition

NOVEMBER 19, 2024

They offer valuable resources and practical solutions for organic and transitioning producers, as well as conventional producers interested in ecologically and economically sound practices. Yet, knowledge gaps remain that warrant additional research attention. These include: Livestock and poultry breed development for organic systems.

Food

Food Seeding Crop Poultry

Old Hedgerows are New Again as More Farmers Embrace Benefits

Modern Farmer

NOVEMBER 14, 2023

Photo courtesy Jim Jones) While US farmers have been slower to embrace hedgerows for their ecological benefits, the science of hedgerows as natural havens has become inarguable. From a conservation point of view, they are higher up on the agenda.” A hedgelaying workshop hosted by the Ontario Skills Network.

Farmland

Farmland Cultivation Farming Farming

Perceptions Vary as Colorado Prepares for Wolf Reintroduction

Modern Farmer

NOVEMBER 15, 2023

One partner rejuvenated the old apple orchard, planted another 120 heritage-variety trees and started a cider business. “A A couple of the other partners’ interests were land conservation and low impact residential sites integrated into the agricultural and natural ecology of the ranch,” he said. The XK Bar is not a cow/calf outfit.

Ranching

Ranching Livestock Acre Ecology

Horrible Holly: A Festive Plant Runs Amok

Modern Farmer

DECEMBER 6, 2023

Later, his focus shifted to urban ecology. In a frequently cited 2009 paper in the journal Frontiers in Ecology , a trio of researchers identified more than 139 shade-tolerant plants that have invaded deeply shaded forests. Stokes’ findings were published in the journal Northwest Science in 2014.

Ecology

Ecology Seeding Acre Processing

Right Livelihood: Reflecting on my 24 years working for NCAT’s ATTRA program

ATTRA

JANUARY 30, 2024

So, it’s ecological or cybernetic or complexly interrelated, but it is not magic. In 1990, after a couple of disastrous crop failures in my orchard and feeling that I had no business advising others about growing fruit, I quit farming and started teaching high school English. I should have 34 years with NCAT, not 24.

Ecology

Ecology Farming Farming Rural Development

As the Salton Sea Shrinks, Agriculture’s Legacy Turns to Dust

Civil Eats

JULY 17, 2023

Date palm plantations and orchards cover the eastern Coachella Valley to the north. And new science about the connection between water pollution and air quality suggests more investment is needed. It’s associated with air quality, ecology, and biologicals in the lake. 1 commodity for the last 64 years.

Pesticide

Pesticide Acre Agriculture Agriculture

Our 2023 Food and Farming Holiday Book Gift Guide

Civil Eats

DECEMBER 5, 2023

In this 2023 Holiday Book Guide, you’ll find reviews of memoirs, personal essays, histories, science writing, journalism, cookbooks, guidebooks, and photo collections—written by our editors, staff writers, and freelance contributors. In addition to our top picks for holiday giving, you’ll find a roundup of our recent book coverage.

Food

Food Farming Farming Seeding

In California, a native people fight to recover their stolen waters

Food Environment and Reporting Network

MAY 16, 2024

By the time the Nüümü returned to their valley, the settlers had turned it into a constellation of cattle ranches and orchards. The utility says it has reduced the lake’s dust emissions by more than 99 percent, but a 2020 National Academies of Sciences report found the area still doesn’t meet air quality standards.

Water Rights

Water Rights Ranching Cattle Ecology

Agriculture Informer

Understanding the Connection Between Soil Fungi and Orchard Health

Now Available: “Understanding the Science Behind Climate Smart Agriculture in California: A comprehensive literature review”

Trending Sources

Letter supporting America Grows Act

Whole-Orchard Nutrient Management & On-Farm Composting at Heartwood Farms

Ecological Pest Management Field Technician – Sacramento

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

Old Hedgerows are New Again as More Farmers Embrace Benefits

Perceptions Vary as Colorado Prepares for Wolf Reintroduction

Horrible Holly: A Festive Plant Runs Amok

Right Livelihood: Reflecting on my 24 years working for NCAT’s ATTRA program

As the Salton Sea Shrinks, Agriculture’s Legacy Turns to Dust

Our 2023 Food and Farming Holiday Book Gift Guide

In California, a native people fight to recover their stolen waters

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