Concentration of CO2 in the Atmosphere

A Choice to Step Outside or Not

Painting by Joyce Dutka

David Fried

The bumblebee is pulled by a thirst to pollinate flower to flower, just as her ancestors were, in an ancient dance. I reach up into the pear tree and fix my eyes on the one pear I really want to pick and bring […]

Agriculture Answer to Eliminating Fossil Fuels is Right Under Our Feet!

Moonshot Farm has two 3000 square foot greenhouses where flowers are grown directly in the floor soil. (Courtesy photos)

Joanne Coons

A geothermal system was installed to maintain the proper temperature to grow the flowers.

Sometimes proven technology is the solution to doing things a little differently and a little better. […]

A New Guide for Residential Composting in Vermont

To see this article in a pdf file, as it appears in print, please click HERE and scroll down.

Michael J. Daley

“The Dirt on Compost” is a new guidebook from the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) intended to provide residents with the information they need to comply with Vermont’s Universal […]

USDA Deputy Secretary Torres Small to Travel to New Hampshire

Highlighting USDA’s Commitment to Renewable Energy and Lower Energy Costs for Rural Americans

Washington, D.C., December 18, 2023 – On Tuesday, December 19, U.S. Agriculture Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small will visit Weare, New Hampshire, where she will visit a local business and meet with local producers and community leaders. There, she will […]

Elmore Roots: A Simple Life

To see the article as it appears in print, please load the pdf file HERE.

David Fried

Here in the north country, we have a good chance to live a simple life. We have a lot of examples of this. The frogs sit on a floating leaf for much of the day. The […]

Dutchess County Compost Plans Meet Climate Solutions

To see the article as it appears in print, please load the pdf file HERE.

Jessie Haas

Sometimes it just does not compute. Food waste is bad, we know, but we tend to think that is because it represents food not going to hungry people who need it. But our food—or rather, our […]

2023 Seed Swap

January 24, 2023 Cooperstown, NY

The Otsego Master Gardeners will host the Annual Seed Swap on Saturday, January 28, 2023, from 9 a.m. to noon, at the Oneonta Farmers’ Market, Foothills Performing Arts and Civic Center, 24 Market Street in Oneonta. Participation is free, and you do not need to donate or have […]

Seaberries of My Dreams

Seaberries grown at Elmore Roots are easy to grow and have a great flavor to use in your drinks. (Courtesy photo)

David Fried

There are four questions horticulturists and gardeners need to ask:

1. Would you like a cup of tea?

2. Do astronauts always take this drink into […]

Two Faces of Flowers

(Painting by Gabriel Tempesta)

David Fried

Why does it feel so good when someone gives you flowers? They are so small and light but they are so important.

You are walking along a forest path and all of a sudden you see a flower. Or a mushroom. Or a chipmunk. […]

The Beat Goes On

Watercolor painting by Joyce Dutka

David Fried

My friend I grew up with grows organic vegetables as far as the eye can see. He puts stickers on his boxes of cabbage that state, “Let’s get our heads together.” On his boxes of beets another sticker reads, “Beet the system!”

We […]