May 1, 2012

Michael Ableman is well known in many farming circles for the work that he did in developing Fairview Gardens in Goleta, California, and for the beautiful books of farm photos and essays, and numerous articles and essays that he has authored over the past two decades. He is perhaps less well known for his current […]

Summer squash and zucchini are productive summer crops, available in many colors and shapes to please the eye. The “summer squash” include yellow squash, patty pan squash and round squash, as well as zucchini, a specialized kind of summer squash. They are easy to grow – the main challenges are pests, diseases and moderating the

Each season feels like a fresh start. Last year’s mistakes are in the past and the season ahead is ripe and full of possibility. Along with the new season come a fresh set of goals and a wealth of new ideas. For 2012, I’ve chosen to pour my heart into profitability, efficiency and ease. “Work

The Essential Urban Farmer by Novella Carpenter and Willow Rosenthal is written for urban farmers — those who want to grow produce and raise livestock in the city, whether for their own food or for market. It is forthright and helpful about the issues that are peculiar to city farming such as soil contamination, nearby

Food safety oversight may be coming soon — possibly even this summer — to your farmers market, on-farm store, and even CSA. Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) certification is already required by some wholesale buyers and insurance companies. Now there is a growing movement to encourage small farmers to implement food safety plans wherever they sell.