Food & Farm News
» February 5, 2008 «
This is Food Check-Out Week 
This is Food Check-Out Week. It's the day of the year by which time the average American has earned enough money in the year to pay for their family's food supply for the entire year. The event is week long and promoted by the nation's young farmers and ranchers. While educating consumers that Americans have the safest most affordable food supply in the world, the young farmers are also raising money to help food banks which provide nutritious food for the poor.
California asparagus now on the market
California asparagus growers in Imperial and Riverside counties are now harvesting their crops. Consumers may see California grown labeled asparagus in produce sections soon. Production acreage has been greatly reduced because of concerns about labor and higher prices for other commodities. The California Asparagus Commission estimates there are less than 500 acres in early spring production. The main California production area is the Sacramento delta which is about four weeks from harvest.
Almond growers may switch to walnuts
Some farmers who lost almond trees when extraordinary winds swept through the northern Sacramento valley last month are considering planting walnuts instead of almonds. Nursery operators say they have more orders for walnut trees than they can fill in a year. Traditionally almonds trees are grafted onto peach rootstock which has a shallow root system and can tip over in high winds. Farmers who are planting almonds are asking for plum rootstock that has a deeper root system. Trees with that rootstock fared better in the windstorm.
"California First" begins
Two organizations, the Wine institute and the California Association of Winegrape Growers are collaborating on "California First," a program to educate consumers about wine sector policies on sustainability. The program will also draw attention to the state's diverse winegrowing regions and the wide array of wines. Wine growers in California are leaders in adopting sustainable farming and winery techniques.
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