JANUARY 2010 "Farming" gaining interest among younger, environmentally conscience individuals. There once was a time in America when just about everybody had an uncle, a grandfather, a neighbor that practiced agriculture.  These days such ties no longer exist with great frequency - some people having no idea of the "dirt-to-dinner" concept.  Check out this article taken from Half Moon Bay Review that tells a story of heightened levels of interest in agriculture and the sudden competitive nature regarding farm apprenticeships in California. Who will grow your food?  Think about this.  With the disappearance of small family farms, increasing concerns of the environmental impact of modern agriculture, and the concept of "the brain drain", who is left to provide healthy, great-tasting, safe, and consistent food for you, your family, and the rest of your community?  Read the whole article and comments from "Causabon's Book" of ScienceBlogs.com regarding the cultural shift America may be facing in the Agricultural sector.    DECEMBER 09 EPA says poinsettias are poisonous, but the EPA is wrong! For years the plant Euphorbia pulcherrima, or better known as the poinsettia, has endured a bad rap as a poisonous plant.  It turns out that the poinsettia is not poisonous at all - to dogs, cats or humans.  Read the whole article regarding a mix up by the EPA concerning the toxicity of the poinsettia plant taken from Greenhouse Grower.com December 2009.  Also, check out our FAQ page on poinsettias for more facts!   NOVEMBER 09 Scientists develop 'super' bee to battle parasite As you probably know from the media, the bee population has been on the delcline for the last few years.  Bees are critical to not only production agriculture but home gardens as well.  USDA scientists have developed a way to breed genetic traits favorable to the combating of threatening parasites.  Read the whole article from MSNBC.com November 12.

OCTOBER 09  LATE BLIGHT HITS TOMATO, POTATO GROWERS HARD...the culprit seems to be infected tomato plants that were sold from garden centers at big box retail stores this spring. A great reason why not to buy vegetable plants, among all other types of plants, just anywhere.  Mass-merchandisers are often oblivious to the types of diseases, pests, pathogens, and other technical factors that come into play when handleing merchandise that is live.  Read the whole article from Vegetable Growers News October 2009.