Jenny Fisher, a biology professor at Indiana University Northwest, has been selected for a prestigious fellowship with the U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). This program, known as the E. Kika De La Garza science fellowship, aims to boost agricultural opportunities and support Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) like IUN. Fisher found out about this opportunit...

Tomatoes are a big deal, especially in California. They're used in lots of foods, but there's a tiny enemy causing big problems. These are called root-knot nematodes, or RKNs for short. They're like little worms that attack tomato plants. Farmers have been using a special gene called Mi-1 to fight these worms. But guess what? Some worms have found a way to beat this ...

Food safety is a big deal. It's not just about having a full stomach; it's about having a safe one. The U. S. is taking steps to make sure that the food on our plates is the safest it can be. This isn't just about slogans or promises. It's about action. The plan involves five key points. First, there's a push to improve testing and inspections. This means more liste...

The U. S. has slapped a 17% tax on fresh tomatoes from Mexico. This move is meant to protect American tomato farmers. But it might make tomatoes more expensive for everyone else. Mexico sends a lot of tomatoes to the U. S. About 70% of tomatoes in the U. S. come from Mexico. That's a big jump from 20 years ago, when Mexico only supplied 30%. Some people say this tax...

Farmers play a big role in keeping our food supply safe. They make daily choices that affect how well crops grow. One big challenge is making sure there are enough pollinators, like bees, to help crops grow. A recent study looked at how farmers in Dengkou County manage pollination. It found that farmers with more education and larger farms tend to do a better job at ...

In the middle of the Negev Desert, there was a place called Shivta. It was a long time ago, during the Byzantine era. People there grew grapes and made wine. They were really good at it, even though the desert was dry and harsh. They used clever farming tricks to collect water and grow grapes. They built terraces and towers to help them. One big problem was drought....

Dairy cows are feeling the heat, and it's not just a one-day thing. New research shows that extreme heat can cut milk production by up to 10%, and the effects can last for more than 10 days. This isn't just a bad day at the farm; it's a long-term problem. Cows that are in their prime production stages are hit the hardest. This means that the more milk a cow usually ...

Plants face big problems from metal poisoning in soil. This is a real issue for farmers. But there is a new hope. Tiny particles, called nanoparticles, might be the answer. These particles are super small. They can do big things. First, let's talk about the problem. Too many metals in soil can hurt plants. This is bad for crops. It also makes soil more acidic. That ...

India's farms are facing a silent threat: microplastics. These tiny plastic bits are sneaking into the soil and messing with crops. But how much do farmers know about this issue? A recent study took a closer look at what Indian farmers think about microplastic pollution. Researchers talked to 310 farmers from different parts of the country. They found that most farm...

A sneaky plant pest has been spotted in Texas, and it's causing trouble for tomatoes. This pest is a type of nematode, a tiny worm that attacks plant roots. The specific kind found here is called Meloidogyne enterolobii, and it's known for being extra aggressive. What's worrying is that this nematode can harm plants that are usually resistant to similar pests. This ...