Workshops during the shows centred on six agriculture sub sectors - orchard crops, pig and sheep production, vegetable production using hydroponics, bee keeping and pepper production. The Ministry of Agriculture's five road shows, held over the final quarter last year to encourage stakeholders in agriculture, have resulted in approximately $55 million in new investment to the sector. The ASSP was set up in 2001 to assist potential investors in agriculture to access low interest funding and...

In its latest report on farm development, the USDA said North Carolina topped a national list in 2005 with 1,000 farms lost to development, while South Carolina gained 100 farms in the same period, although the state's actual acreage lost to development and other ventures continues to increase. Department of Agriculture said surveys since 1997 have shown annual decreases in the land used for farming in Horry and Brunswick counties. In recent years, and since a federally approved tobacco...

Department of Agriculture began setting the minimum prices that farmers are paid for their raw milk in the 1920s to ensure they would be able to sell their perishable product before it spoiled. But 2006 was the worst year yet for farmers like Williams, who say the rising costs of fuel, feed and fertilizer have far outpaced what they're paid for a gallon of milk. He was told that cutting down on milk might help ease his migraines, so the dairy farmer had a glass of water with his salad. He...

I learned that this week, meeting them at the farmer's market, in the meat market, and hearing from them by e-mail. Those interested in local freshness can find assistance through Community Supported Agriculture, www.localharvest.org, which connects local farmers with consumers. Eating only food produced within a 100 miles of Hutchinson filled my refrigerator with locally raised and butchered bacon, pork chops, beef and Cornish game hens. One week of eating in sync with the seasons has...

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. Start-up farmers need patience, creative marketing - and luck. 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...

Researchers say products such as blueberries, broccoli, spinach and salmon are being boosted by greater awareness of their health benefits. Blueberries saw the biggest sales surge - more than doubling to 95million last year. These are important to today's consumer. Analyst Jonathan Banks said: "They contain antioxidants which keep the heart healthy and maintain young-looking skin.