Why Do American Farmers Have Such High Rates of Suicide?
According to a new study from the University of Iowa, American farmers and agricultural workers continue to show very rates of suicide, well above the rates for all other occupations. While suicides among farmers occur at a rate of just 0.36 to 0.96 per 100,000, the average among all other professions is just 0.19. This […]
Strawberries Hate Potatoes: Secrets of Companion Planting + Popular Planting Combinations Part 2
Companion planting in gardening and agriculture is the planting of different crops in proximity for the benefit of both plants such as pest control, pollination, providing habitat for beneficial creatures, maximizing use of space, and to otherwise increase crop productivity. Companion planting is a form of poly-culture. Companion planting is used by farmers and gardeners […]
Farm Pesticides in Drinking Water? How to Protect Yourself
Can you trust your municipal water source to filter out pesticides from tap water? It’s not likely. Just last week, a team of chemists and engineers at USGS and the University of Iowa found neonicotinoids in treated and filtered drinking water. While we’ve known since 2015 that neonicotinoids are present in over half of US river […]
Shared Earth: Where Gardeners and Landowners Connect and Grow (The Rideshare of Gardening!)
This is the ultimate sustainable opportunity for the gardener stuck in an apartment complex and the landowner looking for a flourishing yard and free food without the work! Have you wanted to start a garden but do not have the land or enough sunlight to grow the fruits and veggies you have desired? Or perhaps […]
Innovative Preschool Combines Urban Farming and Nursery Education
Gardening preschool? As a homesteading parent that also unschools (child led life-learning), I know just how educational time in the garden can be. Recently, we have been planting our spring garden and identifying plants with the Like That Garden smartphone app. The kids love the time in the sun and there is never a shortage […]