Native Americans used wild cranberries harvested from their natural habitats and introduced them to settlers hundreds of years ago. Today, most of the cranberries that people eat come from wild selections that […]
Climate fluctuations make life difficult for the plants we eat. Unlike us, they can’t move if it’s too hot, too cold, or they don’t have enough water. This is the story of the humble […]
Food is one of life’s ultimate delights. Surprisingly, many of the foods we enjoy in the United States today are not native to North America. Crop scientists refer to them as “plant […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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. […]
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, […]