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  1. jack

    Common farming myths

    Have you come across articles claiming chemicals are the biggest threat to food safety? However, meat or produce can get contaminated by harmful bacteria like listeria or salmonella, parasites, or viruses. Biological contaminants are a more common food safety issue. What else do you find debatable?
  2. jack

    Average age of farmers

    Some publications put the figure at 34, whereas others report it as 60. I believe that more young people are getting into farming, and we also have experienced large-scale farmers. Should we first agree on who a farmer is? Can those who work on other people's farms for wages be part of this...
  3. jack

    Making money from a small farm

    What is your definition of a small farm? I define it as anything less or equal to 1-acre. I have thought of breeding tilapia or other fish, raising worms to sell as bait, growing medicinal mushrooms or gourmet, or renting it for gatherings or meetings. Which option is most sustainable?
  4. jack

    Rainwater storage systems

    How do you store rainwater? Storage on free standing plastic tanks requires no excavation and can work on any topography. When should a farmer choose an underground storage system? Above ground tanks can get damaged by animals and are bulky.
  5. jack

    Laws and regulations

    Do you stay updated regarding the laws and regulations that apply to your farming activities? These change from time to time, so it helps to check with your State and EPA regional office regularly. Do you think getting legal consultation in such matters helps?
  6. jack

    Would you quit farming?

    If you ask any successful farmer if their journey was smooth, they'll most likely talk of the many challenges like getting land, access to loans, or acquiring equipment. Would you quit to cut losses if things weren't working out, or would you hold on and change tact where necessary?
  7. jack

    Starting a farm

    Starting a farm is one thing, but running and managing it is a different concept altogether. Despite encountering challenges like the ever-changing weather, efficiently managing a farm will keep a farmer a step ahead. What would you change if you could turn back the hand of time?
  8. jack

    Making difficult decisions

    What would you do if your banker was pressurizing you to abandon a venture just because you were yet to break even and start making a profit? The decision to liquidate should be a farmer's idea and should be arrived at after consultation. However, we are often forced to make difficult decisions...
  9. jack

    Tax exemptions

    If you are a farmer whose land gets classified in the farmland category, there is a chance of reaping significant tax savings. Have you ever considered consulting a professional before?
  10. jack

    Energy costs

    Most farming operations require energy, and unfortunately, the costs have been rising over time. What could be a viable solution so that these rising costs don't get passed on to the consumer?
  11. jack

    Basic caring tips

    Caring for livestock can be a difficult task when we skip the basics. Different animals could have varying requirements, yet there could be some needs that are common for all of them. These include ensuring that their shelter is dry and clean, providing nutritious feed, and ensuring a constant...
  12. jack

    Long-term seed storage

    There are a few vegetable seeds that I have saved up from the garden in addition to some quality seeds that I purchased recently. How best can I store them in good condition for the long-term?
  13. jack

    New versus used machinery

    We won't always afford brand new machinery, and so most of us opt for second-hand machines that are usually easier to maintain. What are the pros and cons of going with either of these options?
  14. jack

    Post-harvest storage

    Is full maintenance and service to your equipment before storing for the winter months enough to prevent corrosion and rust? How best can you ensure that there is no deterioration of equipment performance in the future?
  15. jack

    Inventory management

    Do you assign someone to keep track of raw materials and finished products in stock? Agricultural inventory is inclusive of pesticides, seeds, fuel, or fertilizers used in production. I have a part-time assistant that I have trained well, but I always go the extra mile to counter-check.
  16. jack

    Best crops to grow hydroponically

    Cucumber, tomatoes, spinach, and peppers are the crops that quickly come to mind. Should I make a choice based on what is easily consumable around my area? Tomatoes require a small amount of ground space, so they could be what I opt for after all.
  17. jack

    Best farming method

    The many fencing types out there can be overwhelming. Security and cost are the main factors that make a farmer settle on a particular method. Having said this, which is the fencing type that guarantees the most security?
  18. jack

    Which animals easily coexist?

    Sheep and cattle have coexisted for a long time, even though data has shown that the grazing of these animals is not simple. Which other combination also works well?
  19. jack

    How to clean up rust

    Sometimes we may find some of the tools and machinery starting to build up a layer of oxidation. Which is the most effective method? I have previously used plain old white vinegar.
  20. jack

    What causes crop failure?

    I stumbled upon an article that advanced the idea that annual warming wouldn't increase crop failure rates; decreases in interannual variation possibly could. Apart from soils and climate, what other factors contribute to crop failure, and what can reverse this worrying trend?
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