rhizobia

How to Make Sure Your Leguminous Cover Crop is Doing its Job

Legumes are a superstar cover crop, particularly in warm, subtropical climates because unlike other cover crops, legumes have the ability to turn atmospheric nitrogen into nitrogen that crops can use. But as Stephanie Kasper, a biology research associate at University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley explains, legumes require an important partner to do their job.
By Emilie Saunders, NCAT Communications Director

The Two Best Legume Cover Crops for Hot and Humid Climates

Cover crops can be an investment in your future soil health. And it’s legume cover crops that can deliver a lasting soil benefit that other cover crop options don’t: nitrogen.
By Colin Mitchell, Sustainable Agriculture Specialist

Medicinal Plants at Blue Ridge Eco Fair: Infused Oils and Salves

Maya and Ed Skopal, the owners of I-TAL Acres, a medicinal plant…

Medicinal Plants at Blue Ridge Eco Fair: Teas, Infusions, Decoctions

Maya and Ed Skopal, the owners of I-TAL Acres, a medicinal plant…

Medicinal Plants at Blue-Ridge Eco-Fair: Tinctures

Maya and Ed Skopal, the owners of I-TAL Acres, a medicinal plant…

Medicinal Plants at Blue Ridge Eco Fair: Introduction

Maya and Ed Skopal, the owners of I-TAL Acres, a medicinal plant…
apple blossum

Fruit and the Freeze of 2021

Better Than I Feared but Worse Than It Looks By Guy K. Ames,…

Medicinal Plants at Blue Ridge Eco Fair: Dosages for Teas and Decoctions

Maya and Ed Skopal, the owners of I-TAL Acres, a medicinal plant…

Reclaiming Wood

So many of our projects on the farm require building structures out of wood. I’m always building a new raised bed or chicken coop or fences to keep the chickens from messing with my vegetables, but a recent trip to the local hardware store was a rude awakening. Wood prices were double what I paid six months ago. Why? They said it had something to do with the fires out west. After taking a moment to reflect on the inter-connectedness of everything, I paid for the wood I needed and went on my merry way. My trip home was merry indeed because I passed by an opportunity, literally: pallets. Stacks and stacks of pallets.
By Justin Duncan, NCAT Sustainable Agriculture Specialist

Juneberry: the Delicious Native American Fruit with a Thousand Names

Of the many names for this plant, "chuckleberry" is certainly my favorite, but I've only seen it in writing, never heard it spoken. Around the Ozarks where I live "sarvis" or "sarvisberry" seems to be the most commonly spoken, at least among the old-timers.
By Guy K. Ames, NCAT Horticulture Specialist