The good news was brought to cocoa growers in three of the country's provinces as a kick-starter of a nationwide programme aimed at sharing improved cocoa seeds to farmers to step up production and ameliorate their revenue. While the operation targeted groups of farmers in the East province, it rather focused on small holder growers in the Centre and South rpovinces where the aim was to demonstrate the important place that small holder farmers continue to occupy in the new strategy to...

Farmers are anxiously evaluating the health of locally grown fruits and vegetables as some of them open their farmers markets with spring produce. The impact of the "Easter massacre" cold snap on locally grown fruits and vegetables may not turn out to be as catastrophic as first feared, though farm market customers may notice some items late or missing. As farmers ready their markets, many find that most fruits are bouncing back from Easter's cold snap. Local growers initially feared the...

They may be returning to their childhood or standing against commercialization, but they feel empowered to shell out cash for an alternative to traditional food production. I think it should be a requirement for farmers and ranchers to sell for one season at a farmers' market. The Farmers' Market season is underway again with some having record opening day crowds this past Saturday, mostly due to the excellent weather. In the Des Moines Downtown Market, which had an astonishing 30,000...

Area legislators tour damaged farms; orchard in Stoddard co. In the last week, two area legislators have been touring the area trying to find out what the state can do to help out the displaced farmers. Record high temperatures in March followed by record lows in April have left many area farmers scrambling to figure out how to make it this year. Wright, who serves as vice-chairman of the House Agriculture committee, plans to visit several other area orchards and farms over the next couple...

The grassy lot at Fourth and San Benito Streets filled up with coworkers taking a break from the humdrum of the day, while parents and children stopped on the way home from school. Hundreds showed for the first market of the season, browsing through booths of local produce and chatting in between their shopping. In addition to the locally-grown fruits and vegetables, a few booths offered fresh flowers and other treats - baked goods, shaved ice and corn on the cob. Bright strawberries,...

By Walter Nicholls Washington Post Staff Writer Wednesday, April 25, 2007; Page F01 On seven consecutive nights this month, farmer Jim Huyett attached a Frost Dragon propane heater to the back of his tractor and drove for hours through his 5-acre peach orchard, trying to raise the air temperature above freezing. By Walter Nicholls Washington Post Staff Writer Wednesday, April 25, 2007; Page F01 On seven consecutive nights this month, farmer Jim Huyett attached a Frost Dragon propane heater...

In case you'd like to stop the worm's depredations, consider some of the more promising, new controls available to home orchardists: The wormholes I'm talking about were typically a twosome -- one opening in the shoulder, the other at the calyx, or blossom end, of the fruit. Commercial orchardists use sprays and other controls to ensure that supermarket apples don't have "eat around" holes. I'm guessing the reason the paper bags are more effective than "footies" is that the female moth...

Grape growers have permission from the state to use out-of-state grapes for their 2007 wine production. The grape crops in the southernmost part of the state suffered the most damage. Anderson says the young and newly planted vines might not survive and that will be known in mid-July. Anderson says the survival of the grapevines themselves is an issue. Feature Programs & Commentary. Some Missouri grape crops making a modest comeback from Easter freeze Monday, May 14, 2007, 4:14 PM by Julie...

But in an increasingly sophisticated farming world, producers have also grown to realize the benefits of managing their pollinating abilities in all sectors, from field crops to fruit. At 10,000 bees per gallon, that means there are nearly four billion winged pollinators working on farms across the country. Farmers reported having 399,968 gallons of pollinating bees that don't make honey, with nearly 97 per cent found in the three Prairie provinces. No romantic music, no mood lighting,...