Salem-News.com Agriculture articles Page 23

Beating the Heat to Reduce Post-Harvest Waste

(TURN, Italy) - For a farmer in a hot country like Sudan, a big harvest can end up being just a big waste. A fresh tomato off the vine will only last about 2 days in the stifling heat, while carrots and okra might last only 4 days.

Despite being perfectly capable of producing abundant harvests, without any means to store and preserve crops, farmers in Sudan are at risk for hunger and starvation.

Oregon`s Measure 74 Serves the Needs of Patients

Advocates say it adds more choices for patients, but doesn’t affect the current MMJ program.

(SALEM, Ore.) - With so much discussion taking place regarding Oregon’s Measure 74, which allows medical marijuana to be sold at lawful dispensaries, having the facts straight is mandatory.

The Oregon Medical Marijuana Program was approved by voters in 1998, and currently has nearly 40,000 patients that have been registered by more than 3,500 doctors - approximately 1 out of every 7 licensed in the state of Oregon. Though patients can use marijuana legally, many of them have a difficult time getting their medicine.

Old Logging Practices Linked to High Erosion Rates

U of O researchers say the landscape of the Rogue-Siskiyou National Forest is threatened by old logging and road-building practices; recent fires and rains have produced erosion rates four times higher than any previous periods over 2,000 years.

(EUGENE, Ore.) - While logging practices have improved dramatically since then, the damaged landscape -- the removal of low vegetation that helps to protect hillsides during fires and rain -- continues to pose a threat into the foreseeable future, said Daniel G. Gavin. He is a professor of geography, and postdoctoral doctoral researcher Daniele Colombaroli.

Marijuana Studies Clear the Air For Those That Care to Look

Falsehoods are put to rest by going straight to the source: read the studies.

(SALEM, Ore.) - In our ongoing coverage of the pros and cons of Cannabis, we get many submissions that are worthy of publishing. The following list from reader Malcolm Kyle is especially valuable because he details ten significant marijuana studies that "the Feds wish they'd never commissioned".

MPP Says Attorney General Holder is Wrong to Oppose California`s Marijuana Initiative

The group says Proposition 19 offers California voters an alternative to the failed policies of marijuana prohibition

(WASHINGTON D.C.) - According to the Associated Press, U.S. AG Eric Holder sent a letter earlier this week to former heads of the Drug Enforcement Administration in which he promised that the Justice Department would continue to enforce federal marijuana laws in California even if the state’s voters approve Proposition 19.

In response, Steve Fox, director of government relations for the Marijuana Policy Project, offered the following statement...

USDA Deals Blow to U.S. Organic Hop Industry, According to American Organic Hop Grower Association

(YAKIMA, Wash.) - Hops were first added to the National List by the NOSB in June 2007, when organic hops were primarily produced in Europe and New Zealand. Since then, the U.S. organic hop industry has made significant advances. Progressive, large-scale family farms in the Pacific Northwest and small, local growers across the country are now growing organic hops, even though the hop producers believe the market for them has remained weak due to the current NOSB policy which allows brewers to use less expensive, non-organic hops in their beer labeled organic.

Monsanto Hired Mercenary Blackwater to Infiltrate Anti-GMO Groups

A spokesperson for Monsanto, reached by Scahill, first denied the relationship with Blackwater, but then admitted that Monsanto had paid Total Intelligence for intelligence reports...

(LONDON) - Documents reveal that Blackwater has been busy expanding its corporate reach.

The military contractor notorious for serious war crime violations, is providing intelligence services for agencies such as the Canadian Military, Netherlands Police and corporations like Monsanto.

The Border`s Onion Trails

Part of a special series on border agricultural history and the New Mexico economy. The series was made possible in part by grants from the New Mexico Humanities Council and McCune Charitable Foundation.

(LAS CRUCES, NM) - As the summer fades into fall, more than the seasons have changed on the farms of southern New Mexico. For many, the focus of production has changed from sacking onions to harvesting chile peppers.

Keizer Barn Destroyed in Late Afternoon Fire - PHOTOS

Investigators are looking into reports of people leaving the area just before the fire started.

(KEIZER, Ore.) - Keizer Fire District crews responded to a reported Barn fire at 7198 River Road N. In Keizer, Oregon. The initial call was received at 4:22 p.m. with units arriving on scene in approximately 5 minutes.

Joel Stein, Fire Marshal with Keizer Fire, says the first unit on scene reported heavy black smoke coming from both ends of the 5000 square foot single story building.

Genetically Engineered Salmon...Speak Now or Forever Hold Your Fish

Are you comfortable feeding transgenic animals to your children? If not, speak now or forever hold your fish. Here’s your only chance to say no.

(SALEM, Ore.) - This decision will open the flood gates for approval of any and all transgenic or “mutant” species. Are you comfortable with the mixing and miss-matching of genes from different animals? Are you comfortable feeding them to your children?

Here’s your only chance to say no.