L&M Quadruples Organic Production in Florida

L&M is full swing into the Florida farming season with four times more organic production in 2018. Unlike many Florida companies that are consolidating organics, L&M is growing organics on two of their own, company-owned farms in Florida.  The company is growing organic bell peppers, zucchini, cucumbers, and butternut and spaghetti squash in Branford, FL.  Over in Palatka, FL, L&M has already begun harvesting organic broccoli, green and red cabbage, and kale; and will be adding red and golden beets and cauliflower into the mix this year as well.

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Walmart's New Patent Filing Look to Farming, Drones, and "Bee Robots"

Walmart has rolled out a series of updates to its grocery business recently, including a partnership between its Sam’s Club wing and Instacart, the acquisition of Parcel, and the recent announcement of its Eden technology, which could help save the giant retailer $2 billion in food waste costs over the next half-decade.

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New Hope Interviews Founders of Back to the Roots

New Hope interviews Cofounders of successful startup company, Back to the Roots, Nikhil Arora and Alejandro Velez. Back to the Roots enable customers to cultivate and benefit from aqua farms and mushroom farms in the comfort of their own homes.

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USDA Withdraws Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the decision to withdraw the Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices (OLPP) final rule published on January 19, 2017. The rule would have increased federal regulation of livestock and poultry for certified organic producers and handlers. The withdrawal becomes effective May 13, 2018.

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NOSB and USDA NOP Pull Container and Greenhouse Discussion from Spring Meeting

The USDA has published the pre-meeting materials on their website for the Spring 2018 National Organic Standards Board meeting in Tucson, Arizona to be held from April 25-27.  The Discussion Documents and Formal Proposals do NOT include anything specific to greenhouse, container, hydroponic or aquaponic production systems.

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"Our population and our use of the finite resources of planet Earth are growing exponentially, along with our technical ability to change the environment for good or ill.”

Stephen Hawking
Jan 1942 - March 2018