Farmers are experiencing a turbulent ride navigating our unpredictable weather. We rely on them to produce food, fiber and other plant-based items the world relies on in our everyday lives. Developing crops […]
Conserving wild crop cousins
What are riparian buffer strips?
The word “riparian” refers to the place where streams meet land. This important intersection controls a lot of processes – especially with regard to water quality. Human use of land near streams […]
What causes stress in plants?
Doesn’t it seem that the older we get the more stressed our lives become? We are told constantly by doctors and the media how dangerous stress is to our health. We can […]
Why is it important to have seed banks and seed access?
Species extinction due to natural and man-made influences is undeniable and a serious threat to our planet. Once they are gone, we have lost them forever. For plants, seed banks are a […]
Crops and livestock on the same farms, the same fields – why?
Integrated agricultural systems often have both crops and livestock on the same farm. And, yes, integrated crop-livestock systems can have many benefits! Years ago, it was tradition for farmers to grow a […]
What are denitrifying woodchip bioreactors, and how do they help the environment?
Woodchip bioreactors are sophisticated, engineered water treatment systems. Yet, they are simple woodchip-filled trenches, too. If that sounds complicated, it’s really not. These bioreactors clean water with no negative crop production impact. […]
Where do agricultural greenhouse gases come from, and what can be done to reduce them?
Modern agriculture developed over time to meet a pressing need: feeding the world’s growing population. Agronomists discovered new techniques to increase crop yields. Chemists found ways to harness nitrogen from the air, […]
How are plants bred to be biofortified? Why is it important?
The plants in our diet are critical to our health. Food crops provide us with nutrients important to human health, growth, and metabolism. Different vegetable crops contain many types of vitamins and […]
What fertilizers and pesticides commonly go on ag fields and why?
At least three times a day, most humans and many animals consume food produced by the agricultural sector. Our cotton and natural fiber clothing is almost all made through agriculture. Our fuels […]
How can I use natural materials to build soil fertility in my garden?
Not much beats the taste and nutrition of fresh vegetables that travel from your garden to your kitchen! Or the fragrance of fresh cut flowers that go straight to your vase. What […]