MAX FACTS
growing tips, news and trivia
Small Avocado Groves in Peril
Just 10 years ago, there were nearly 30,000 acres of avocado trees growing in
such places as Fallbrook, Valley Center, Bonsall and the San Pasqual and Pauma
valleys. Today that number has dwindled to between 18,000 and 22,000 acres,
experts say, and the trend is expected to continue downward for the next couple
years before stabilizing at around 15,000. The big farmers—the ones with
groves ranging from 40 to 800 acres—will survive as they keep investing in their
business by replanting for higher density and upgrading to more efficient irrigation
methods. But the small guys, the ones who have a few acres of older avocados
trees, are realizing that the cost of water combined with less fruit produced by
their aging trees makes it financially impossible to continue.
(Source: utsandiego.com)
Analyzing Ohio’s Arsenic
Geologic and soil processes are to blame for significant baseline
levels of arsenic in soil throughout Ohio, according to a new study.
Each of the 842 soil samples showed concentrations higher than the
screening level of concern recommended by the US Environmental
Protection Agency. Researchers found the patterns of arsenic in Ohio
soils are most closely related to the arsenic content of the underlying
bedrock formed approximately 250 million years ago. The findings
should not alarm the public, say the authors, who note that regulatory
levels typically are set far below those thought to be harmful.
Arsenic’s reputation as a poison is warranted. High
levels can cause cancer, skin diseases and death.
People can be exposed to arsenic found in the
soil through drinking water, the foods they eat
and even through minute amounts of dirt
they unknowingly ingest each day, but the
element does little or no measurable
harm at extremely low levels.
(Source: sciencedaily.com)
Fighting Food Waste
The City of Elk Grove in California is taking historic steps to fight hunger, tackle food waste
and build its farm-to-fork economy with the launch of the Elk Grove Community Exchange,
a collaboration with the innovative social venture CropMobster. The Elk Grove Community
Exchange is an online platform and community engagement program, licensed and
supported by CropMobster, which allows anyone in the community such as gardeners,
farmers and food businesses to publish a variety of instant alerts on surplus food and
supplies that are going to waste. Alerts can take the shape of deals, donations,
trades and more. The alerts are distributed via email and social media,
allowing community members, hunger relief groups and others to rapidly get
together to create solutions and opportunities. CropMobster has facilitated
more than 1 million servings in its first year and has delivered new revenue
and exposure for small farms, businesses and hunger relief groups.
(Source: cropmobster.com)
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Maximum Yield USA | June 2014