Department of Agriculture doesn't keep track of how many farms start each year, and many of those going into business are doing so with plans that don't rely on a traditional wholesale market. And some new farmers, like the Woosters, have modeled their businesses on community-supported agriculture programs that rely on customers who pay a fixed price at the start of the season in return for a certain amount of produce. In a few weeks, they'll be transplanted from the temperature-controlled...

BY FRED GRAY, NEWS-REVIEW STAFF WRITER EAST JORDAN - Greg Niewendorp of East Jordan, like growing numbers of small farmers across Northern Michigan and the rest of the nation, is challenging state and federal agencies and the big downstate cattle industry to back off their Big Brother policies and allow farmers like him to carry on with their way of life. BY FRED GRAY, NEWS-REVIEW STAFF WRITER EAST JORDAN - Greg Niewendorp of East Jordan, like growing numbers of small farmers across...

Although food stores can market any product as organic as long as they meet the criteria of the U. The company reviews food merchants product handling methods and determines whether the merchant complies with USDA requirements, such as ensuring that organic products do not come in contact with other foods. The Scarborough, Maine-based supermarket chain now carries at least 1,400 organic products at each of its 159 New England stores, including 90 new organic items added this month. To be...

The person picking up the food for another household must have a signed Authorization slip with all information on it from the person he or she is picking up for. Recipients must also meet the income guidelines that have been set for the emergency food assistance program. At the time of the distribution, an information card will be filled out for everyone receiving food. Recipients will need to provide the following information: name, address, family size, and combined monthly income of...

As part of the celebration of Frank Liske Park's 25th anniversary this month, the park staff will provide free popcorn and coupons for free paddleboat rides to those attending the N. producers who suffered significant damage as a result of the Easter freeze could qualify for low-interest emergency loans from federal Farm Service Agency. Cabarrus farmers may qualify for emergency funding because the county is among 47 N. The orchestra will perform classic pops music in front of the lake...

This report could be a shocker to the market as some reports have farmers increasing seeded acres from the last report in March, however excessive rains in the western cornbelt could have forced some farmers to have left some corn acres idle. After the USDA supply/demand report on June 11, there will be no fundamental news for the market to trade on except harvest results and weather in the spring wheat belt. The market has already anticipated a smaller seeded acres than 2006, however if...