M.B. MissouriAnswer: Below are several Web-based resources that will get you started, but be sure you are familiar with all state and federal regulations related to meat processing?and remember that your state may have some regulations more…...
A.D. North Carolina Answer: Because they are so attractive, flowers are certainly a natural for any kind of on-farm market or roadside stand. At a fruit and vegetable grower's conference 20 years ago, Karen Pendleton of Lawrence, Kansas, told how…...
C.H. Pennsylvania Answer: Listed below are two articles on making and using water ram pumps and sling pumps, as well as Web links to manufacturers. The Rife Hydraulic Engine Mfg. Co., Inc., manufacturers the Rife Ram, the sling pump, and the pasture…...
J.B. ArkansasAnswer: Listed below are several articles that define microgreens, including pea shoots. They suggest types of vegetables to use, and provide the basics for growing them either in sterile, soilless media or hydroponically.Pea shoots…...
L.M. ArkansasAnswer: One thing you want to do soon is register a domain name. You can go to a site such as http://smallbusiness.yahoo.com/domains/ to learn which names are still available and also to register a name. Once you register your domain…...
J.M. VirginiaAnswer: The Olde Tyme nut butter grinders from Pleasant Hill Grain Quality Kitchen Equipment are about the size you need (see Web link below), but you should also look at the manufacturers listed in Thomas Food & Beverage Market…...
I.C. Wyoming Answer: Listed below are some materials from Montana's Extension Web site to help you evaluate various forages for use on your ranch. As you can see, there is a column on winter hardiness for the list of grasses and of legumes. Your…...
D.B. MichiganAnswer: There is a Bt product that has been used in pastures and is labeled for forage crops. The product is called Xentari?; it should be available through regular channels and is on the OMRI approved list for use in organic…...
K.A. IllinoisAnswer: Alligator farming is a dynamic industry, but one with an uncertain future. While it has the potential to be very profitable, it is also expensive to get into and very risky, because of the long time between capital investment…...
P.S. Ohio Answer: Gibberellic acid is produced by a process of fermentation wherein a pure strain of the fungus Gibberella fujikorai is cultured in vats, then extracted and purified to obtain GA-3. Several GA-3 sources are approved for organic…...
J.O. AlaskaAnswer: Fish wastes require special handling at the compost facility to avoid odors, pathogens, and pests such as flies, birds, and bears.Most state environmental agencies regulate compost facilities (see below). See "Permit Requirements…...
K.B. WyomingAnswer: Searching the Internet, the AGRICOLA bibliographical database, and the CAB Abstracts bibliographical database, you'll see that very little has been published beyond a few horticultural studies on hydrolyzed fish, fish emulsion,…...
F.P. KansasAnswer: Listed below are several booklets and magazine articles on guinea fowl production, as well as a USDA brochure entitled Raising Guinea Fowl. The book Guinea Fowl is available from Stromberg's Chicks & Gamebirds Unlimited,…...
C.S. CaliforniaAnswer: The Practical Farmers of Iowa have had several farmers try alternative parasite management and report their results. Some of their findings are at the links in Resources, below. The National Organic Program standards do not…...
L.M. LouisianaAnswer: The Farmers' Legal Action Group, Inc. has the free publication Assessing the Impact of Integrator Practices on Contract Poultry Growers available at their Web site or by request (see Resources, below). Also see their…...
A.H. KentuckyAnswer: Compost is an organic amendment that results from microbial decomposition of raw organic matter, followed by humification and buildup into a stable, mature, humus-like end product. The nutrient content of compost can be…...
O.E. CaliforniaAnswer: Producing fertile eggs depends on several factors listed in the chapter "Incubation and brooding" cited below, as well as on the rooster/hen ratio needed to produce fertile eggs. Several of the cited articles and sections from…...
E.N. KansasAnswer: The following comments touch on the main points associated with pepper production. A list of Resources follows.Peppers are a warm-season crop. They are in the nightshade family, which includes tomatoes, eggplants, and…...
A.Z. PennsylvaniaAnswer: Late blight is caused by the fungus Phytophthora infestans. A fact sheet from Ohio State University (see Resources, below) provides a succinct description of late blight in potatoes and tomatoes. The essential points are…...