From the NHAITC Newsletter
An earthworm can grow only so long. A well-fed adult will depend on what kind of worm it is, how many segments it has, how old it is and how well fed it is. An Lumbricus terrestris will be from 90-300 millimeters long.
A worm has no arms, legs or eyes.
There are approximately [...]
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From Northeast SARE:
A free 14-page booklet, “Using Organic Nutrient Sources,” helps organic farmers understand their soil test results and go on to respond wisely and compliantly, within the USDA National Organic Program standards.
Filled with useful detail and valuable reference charts, the booklet acknowledges from the start that nutrient management is often [...]
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According to Purdue University agricul-
tural economists, growing an acre of corn
will cost 13-14% more in variable costs in
2011 than in 2010, mostly due to higher
fertilizer prices. Compared to spring 2010,
current nitrogen and phosphate costs are
much higher, while potash is only modestly
higher but still a lot more than a few years
ago. It looks like sticker shock [...]
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From the NH Weekly Market Bulletin:
Any agricultural product offered for sale
as “Certified Organic” must be produced by
an operation which is certified by a USDA
accredited certifier.
However, the federal law that estab-
lished the National Organic Program (NOP)
provided an exemption for a producer that
“sells agricultural products as ‘organic’ but
whose gross agricultural income from or-
ganic sales totals $5,000 [...]
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Each year, the best of the new vege-
tables are chosen as winners by the All-
America Selections program after trialing
across North America. They must repre-
sent either a totally new variety, or one
improved in some way over an existing
one. There are three winning vegetables
for 2011, including a pumpkin and two
tomatoes.
‘Hijinks’ pumpkin has small fruits, 6
to 7 pounds [...]
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Discover the most popular articles, best tips and hot insider guides that kept animal owners and enthusiasts clicking for more on UrbanFarmOnline.com in 2010.
5 Daily Chicken Activities»
Your backyard chickens have a life of their own. Watch closely to see your chickens’ daily routine in action.
In the Zone»
Plan your garden with the USDA [...]
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From NH Weekly Market Bulletin, Dec. 22, 2010
Q: Can I use the wood ashes from my wood
stove in my garden?
A: Yes! Wood ashes raise the pH of lawn or
garden soil in much the same way as limestone.
However, unlike limestone, which can
take six months or more to change soil pH,
wood ash is highly water-soluble and raises [...]
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A farm does not have to be GAP-certified to follow good practices. Any farm can use this checklist (from UVM Extension) as a guideline to see which areas they may need to focus on.
Good Ag Practices Checklist
Fall is a great time to start new gardens. The
soil is often less wet and more workable
then, there is usually more time then than in
spring or summer, and you know after this past
season if you have the time to maintain another
garden bed (or new one if your first). By prepar-
ing beds now, they’ll be [...]
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Farm Equipment Safety Tips
—Read the operator’s manual.
—Take regular work breaks.
—Wear your seat belt.
—Keep all shields and guards in
place.
—Make sure equipment is in proper
working condition.
—Always carry a fire extinguisher.
—Never allow riders, except for train-
ing or machine diagnostics.
—Only start from the seat with a key.
—Watch for children, pets, and by-
standers (especially in reverse).
—John Deere
(from NH Weekly Market Bulletin)