News

USDA releases 2012 Census of Agriculture preliminary data

Preliminary data from the 2012 Census of Agriculture study was released by USDA on Feb. 20.

The results show an increase in the value of agricultural products sold in the United States, rising to $394.6 billion in 2012, up $97.4 billion from 2007. However, the number of farms and farmland decreased slightly over the same five-year span.

For the first time since 1974, and only the second time in history, crop sales ($212.4 billion) exceeded livestock sales ($182.2 billion) in 2012.

The data also showed that principal farm operators are becoming both older and more diverse. The average age of a principal farm operator in 2012 was 58.3, up 1.2 years from 2007. The Census found more minority-owned farms than in 2007.

The data also shows a decrease in the number of farms in the United States and a decrease in farmland. However, the decline of farm acreage is extremely gradual, falling from 922 million acres in 2007 to 915 million in 2012, a decline of less than one percent and the third smallest decline since 1950.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, in a released statement, pointed to the slight uptick in young farmers as a bright spot in the data. He says the recently approved 2014 Farm Bill should give some incentives to young farmers and create new market opportunities for all producers.

To view the full preliminary report visit goo.gl/iKAfP2.
 

BrightFarms to supply produce to Giant stores

BrightFarms has partnered with D.C. grocer Giant to supply produce for the Giant chain of stores.

BrightFarms constructed a 100,000 square-foot greenhouse in the southern portion of the city in the summer of 2013, with help from the city. DCist is reporting that the project will create 20 full-time jobs and 100 construction jobs. Construction on the facility should be completed in November. Approximately 30 Giant stores will feature the BrightFarms produce.

For more check out goo.gl/sDaJqb.
 

University offers Greenhouse Production Management certificate

The University of Guelph, Ridgetown campus, will offer a Greenhouse Production Management Post-Diploma certificate program beginning September 2014.

The program is designed to aid students who want to enter the greenhouse vegetable sector. Students will learn how to manage the greenhouse structure, plants, atmosphere, and control systems. The program description claims that graduates will be able to “identify pests and diseases, understand normal plants to identify problems, and provide recommendations and solutions.”

The program will also provide lessons on labor management and best management practices. The program website says “Practical training will be attained through two 4-month work terms. Students will have exposure to two different greenhouse vegetable operations where they will put their knowledge to work and establish the skills and experience required to be successful in the greenhouse sector. A work term report is required for each placement.

“Students in this program will be in class from September to December (semester 1) and May to August (semester 3) and completing paid work placements from January to April (semester 2) and September to December (semester 4).”

For more: http://goo.gl/nRvHSg

Blueberry demand increases

Americans are starting to eat healthier and blueberry demand is seeing an uptick because of it.

Research from the U.S. Highbrush Blueberry Council found that consumers were more likely to buy blueberries in 2013 than they were in 2004 or 2008, when previous studies were conducted. From 2004 to 2013 the likelihood that a consumer would purchase blueberries nearly doubled. The rise in consumption and purchases comes when Americans are becoming increasingly aware of what they’re eating. More responders said they valued the health benefits of blueberries than ever before. When asked why they were eating blueberries, respondents overwhelmingly listed the health perks as one of their main reasons.

Almost 85 percent of those surveyed said they were aware of some of the health benefits resulting from blueberries, up from 62 percent in 2008. Social media may also be playing a role in the rise of the mini-blue fruit. More than half of the respondents said they were likely to purchase blueberries based off information they discovered on their social media sites. More people are using Facebook for blueberry recipes as well.

For more: http://goo.gl/XJB3kc
 

University attempts to grow strawberries in Arizona desert

Will strawberries someday be a staple of the Arizona growing scene? If they are, their rise to prominence will start with a team of University of Arizona researchers that are trying to grow the tiny fruit in the deserts of their state, using hydroponic greenhouse growing techniques. The University of Florida previously experimented with greenhouse strawberry production, but this would be the first time they’re grown in Arizona.

After years of research the team is almost ready to present its findings.

For more: goo.gl/03w65s
 

USDA announces creation of regional hubs

Agriculture secretary Tom Vilsack announced the creation of Regional Hubs and Mitigation to Climate Change.

The hubs will provide outreach and information to producers on ways to mitigate risks; public education about the risks climate change poses to agriculture, ranchlands and forests; regional climate risk and vulnerability assessments; battling invasive pests; and centers of climate forecast data and information. 

There will be seven hubs located throughout the country. The following locations have been selected to serve as their region’s center of climate change information and outreach to mitigate risks to the agricultural sector:

• Midwest: National Laboratory for Agriculture and the Environment, Agricultural Research Service, Ames, Iowa
  Sub-Hub in Houghton, Mich.
• Northeast: Northern Research Station, Forest Service, Durham, N.H.
• Southeast: Southern Research Station, Forest Service, Raleigh, N.C.
  Sub-Hub in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico
• Northern Plains: National Resources Center, Agricultural Research Service, Fort Collins, Colo.
• Southern Plains: Grazinglands Research Lab, Agricultural Research Service, El Reno, Okla.
• Pacific Northwest: Pacific Northwest Research Station, Forest Service, Corvallis, Ore.
• Southwest: Rangeland Management Unit/Jornada Experimental Range, Agricultural Research Service, Las Cruces, N.M.
  Sub-hub in Davis, Calif.