Plant genebanks, such as the USDA-ARS National Plant Germplasm System (NPGS), conserve vast collections of crops. They are saved for use in breeding and research programs. These collections are primarily conserved as […]
There is a humble, wild chile pepper that grows in Arizona. Commonly called chiltepín, it is the wild relative of hundreds of domesticated pepper varieties grown (and eaten) all over the world. […]
Flaxseed is one of humanity’s oldest, and most widely adopted multi-use crops. For over ten thousand years, the oil-rich seeds have been an important source of nutrition for both humans and livestock. […]
Ripe, juicy tomatoes are one of the hallmarks of a summer picnic – and a key ingredient in salads and the classic BLT. Like many of our modern crops, today’s tomatoes have […]
Soybean is one of the most important sources of vegetable protein globally. Valued as both a human and animal food source, soybeans are used to produce both soy meal and oil. The […]
Smallholder farms refers to farms that are less than five acres in size. Most people think they only exist in developing countries. The truth is smallholder farms are common in both developing […]
Yes! All plants need water to grow well. And, water can be a limiting factor in good crop yields on farms. Relying on natural rainfall to come at the right time, in […]
I research industrial hemp. As I discuss this with acquaintances, I’m usually met with two responses. One is excitement to hear about a potential up-and-coming crop. The other is a mixture of […]
When most people think about agricultural fields, they envision vast landscapes of crops as far as the eye can see. Although that may be true for parts of the Midwest, it’s a […]
In the spring of 2019, a perfect storm of conditions led to severe flooding across the Midwest. Farmers in many states had to delay spring planting because fields were too wet. What […]