This week, we’re taking a look at NPR’s investigations on American farmers’ relationships with the weather and the government. Farmers’ livelihoods are inextricably tied to the weather and the environment. However, in the face of extreme swings in temperature and precipitation, more frequent instances of pest infestations and crop diseases, and heat stress affecting meat … Continue reading
In 50 years, the human population will reach 8.6 billion, which means we’d need land “roughly the size of Brazil” just for growing crops to sustain the human population. Rather than expanding out, some are suggesting we grow upwards, via vertical farming. Out in the oceans, fish farms sometimes have fishbreaks, when farmed salmon, cod, and trout … Continue reading
Andrea Crawford got her start growing greens in the early 80’s for Chez Panisse. Today she operates Kenter Canyon Farms, selling mostly wholesale greens, including 20,000 pounds of oregano per year to Chipotle. She recently launched a bread line using wheat from her farm. The bread is baked, milled, and harvested using three varieties of … Continue reading
Imagine getting your fresh produce directly off of a nearby building. This building would have multiple stories, with an intricate system that cultivates different plants on every level. This is an example of vertical farming, an idea proposed by Columbia University microbiology and Public Health professor Dickson Despommier, where food is continuously grown in tall … Continue reading
The 68th United Nations General Assembly has declared 2016 the International Year of Pulses. [1] Pulses – that throbbing sensation of your carotid artery after a workout or during a first date, right? Nope. The UN suggests we celebrate the pulses that are leguminous crops harvested solely for their dry seeds. All lentils, and all … Continue reading
Local grower Alex Weiser stopped by the 2013 Science & Food course discuss all things potatoes and parsnips. We heard all about Weiser’s experimental plant varieties (Laker Baker, anyone?) and even learned why parsnips always taste just a little bit better in the winter. Check out the highlights: About the author: Vince C Reyes earned … Continue reading
Astronauts grow veggies in space, while Earth-bound scientists uncover a genetic clue that could lead to tastier tomatoes. Continue reading
Alex Weiser of Weiser Family Farms is a grower of specialty fruits and vegetables in Kern and San Bernardino counties. You can find Alex and his produce at farmers’ markets across Southern California. What hooked you on farming? Father and mother The coolest example of science in your produce? The creation of it from seed! … Continue reading
Barbara Spencer of Windrose Farm in Paso Robles was our lecturer on the topic of phase transitions. “Why are carrots harvested after winter particularly sweet?” Plants use sugar as an internal antifreeze. This is an example of the concept of freezing point depression. When a solution freezes, the molecules into a crystalline structure. However, when … Continue reading
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