Farm

Sweetspot Farms Opens New Dispensary Location in West Hartford, Connecticut

Retrieved on: 
Monday, February 19, 2024

WEST HARTFORD, Conn., Feb. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Sweetspot Farms ("Sweetspot" or the "Company"), a growing craft cannabis company with state-of-the-art dispensaries and sustainability focused cultivation operations situated throughout the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, today announced the successful grand opening of its latest dispensary location at 2 Park Road in West Hartford, Connecticut 06119.

Key Points: 
  • WEST HARTFORD, Conn., Feb. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Sweetspot Farms ("Sweetspot" or the "Company"), a growing craft cannabis company with state-of-the-art dispensaries and sustainability focused cultivation operations situated throughout the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, today announced the successful grand opening of its latest dispensary location at 2 Park Road in West Hartford, Connecticut 06119.
  • As with all Sweetspot dispensaries, this new West Hartford location is staffed by experienced and educated budtenders.
  • "Connecticut is an exciting market," said Jason Webski, Sweetspot's co-founder, CEO, and Connecticut born native.
  • This new dispensary marks the Company's first location in CT, with another dispensary recently approved to open in Stamford.

Australians are washing microplastics down the drain and it’s ending up on our farms

Retrieved on: 
Friday, February 16, 2024

This nutrient-rich material is then dried to make “biosolids”, which are used to fertilise agricultural soil.

Key Points: 
  • This nutrient-rich material is then dried to make “biosolids”, which are used to fertilise agricultural soil.
  • Unfortunately every kilogram of biosolids also contains thousands of tiny pieces of plastic.
  • These pieces are so small they can only be seen under a microscope, so they’re called microplastics.

Biosolids as fertiliser

  • The waste becomes a resource, a useful and economically viable fertiliser, rather than ending up in landfill.
  • Read more:
    More than 1,200 tonnes of microplastics are dumped into Aussie farmland every year from wastewater sludge

Microplastics in Australian biosolids

  • Wastewater treatment plants can capture anywhere from 60% to more than 90% of the microplastics in sewage before the wastewater is discharged.
  • We assessed the abundance, characteristics and size ranges of microplastics in biosolids collected from 13 wastewater treatment plants across three states.
  • We suspect this corresponds to people washing more synthetic fleece clothing and blankets.
  • We estimate Australians release between 0.7g and 21g of microplastics per person into wastewater every year.
  • This contributes to the amount of microplastics in biosolids.
  • Our biosolid samples contained anywhere from 1kg to 17kg of microplastics per tonne.

What’s the problem?

  • While natural weathering processes such as sunshine and rain will slowly break down microplastics into smaller and smaller particles, that only makes matters worse.
  • Smaller particles cause more harmful effects to soil organisms.
  • Microplastics in soil can be ingested by soil organisms such as earthworms and cause harmful effects on these vital organisms.

Here’s what we can do

  • We need to put effective control measures in place to minimise the accumulation of microplastic in productive agricultural soils.
  • The most effective way to do this is to reduce the level of microplastics in biosolids at the source.
  • Australia’s National Plastics Plan recommends the Australian government work with industry to “phase-in” microfibre filters on all washing machines by 2030.
  • Read more:
    'Humanity's signature': study finds plastic pollution in the world's lakes can be worse than in oceans
  • This project was co-sponsored by Urban Utilities, Sydney Water, SA Water, Water Corporation (WA) and Eurofins Environment Testing Australia.
  • Frederic Leusch receives funding related to this research topic from the Queensland Government through an Advance Queensland Industry Research Project, Water Research Australia, and various Australian water utilities.

LifeCycle Adventures Enters its Third Decade with the Launch of Cycling Tours in Croatia

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 15, 2024

PORTLAND, Ore., Feb. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Celebrating its third decade in business, LifeCycle Adventures proudly announces the launch of private cycling tours on Croatia's Istrian Peninsula. Renowned for its commitment to delivering exceptional private travel experiences on a guided or self-guided basis, LifeCycle Adventures invites cyclists to embark on a unique active journey. Various style of bikes are available including hybrid, road, and eBike options.

Key Points: 
  • LifeCycle Adventures is pleased to introduce cycling tours on the enchanting Istrian Peninsula.
  • PORTLAND, Ore., Feb. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Celebrating its third decade in business, LifeCycle Adventures proudly announces the launch of private cycling tours on Croatia's Istrian Peninsula.
  • The inclusion of eBikes in our tours enhances accessibility and range, allowing participants to effortlessly traverse Istria's enchanting landscapes," said Tony Blakey, Founder at LifeCycle Adventures.
  • With the best seasons for cycling being spring, early summer, and fall, LifeCycle Adventures invites cycling guests to experience Istria's coastal beauty and historic towns.

2Blades Delivers on Project with Bayer Crop Science to Combat Asian Soybean Rust

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 15, 2024

Evanston, St. Louis, & Norwich, Feb. 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 2Blades announces that it has successfully delivered on goals in a project launched in 2018 and extended in 2023 with Bayer Crop Science to identify resistance genes against Asian Soybean Rust (ASR).

Key Points: 
  • Evanston, St. Louis, & Norwich, Feb. 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 2Blades announces that it has successfully delivered on goals in a project launched in 2018 and extended in 2023 with Bayer Crop Science to identify resistance genes against Asian Soybean Rust (ASR).
  • The project also involved partners at The Sainsbury Laboratory (Norwich, UK) and the Universidade Federal de Viçosa (Minas Gerais, Brazil).
  • "Asian soybean rust is one of the most significant threats to soybean production globally,” said Ty Vaughn, Head of Plant Biotechnology for Bayer Crop Science.
  • In search of more effective measures against ASR, 2Blades and Bayer Crop Science sought to identify novel sources of genetic resistance for sustainable and environmentally friendly protection from ASR.

Blain’s Farm & Fleet Recognized as One of America's Best Employers of 2024 by Forbes for the Sixth Consecutive Year

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 15, 2024

Blain’s Farm & Fleet proudly announces its recognition as one of America's Best Employers of 2024 by Forbes.

Key Points: 
  • Blain’s Farm & Fleet proudly announces its recognition as one of America's Best Employers of 2024 by Forbes.
  • This honor marks the sixth consecutive year that Blain’s Farm & Fleet has received this recognition, solidifying its commitment to fostering an exceptional workplace culture.
  • View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240214701531/en/
    Blain's Farm & Fleet (Photo: Business Wire)
    "We are thrilled and honored to be recognized by Forbes as one of America's Best Employers for the sixth consecutive year," said Jane Blain Gilbertson, Owner & CEO of Blain’s Farm & Fleet.
  • Blain’s Farm & Fleet climbed their previous ranking and remains the only Wisconsin based company in the Retail and Wholesale category.

Experience the Flavors of the Queen City: Savor Charlotte Takes Place March 12-26

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 15, 2024

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Feb. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Savor Charlotte is a two-week celebration of those in the award-winning and innovative culinary community who make the Queen City one of the most desired travel destinations in the region. Taking place March 12-26, indulgent culinary activations include experiential hands-on classes and demonstrations, exclusive menus, and special offers.

Key Points: 
  • Taking place March 12-26, indulgent culinary activations include experiential hands-on classes and demonstrations, exclusive menus, and special offers.
  • Savor Charlotte is a testament to the inspirational work of those who define the flavor of the Queen City.
  • Charlotte's chefs, mixologists, restauranteurs, bakers and industry leaders continue to confirm and add new details and offerings for Savor Charlotte on a rolling basis.
  • Those interested in booking an exclusive Savor Charlotte experience can make reservations directly by clicking on each.

Israeli siege has placed Gazans at risk of starvation − prewar policies made them vulnerable in the first place

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 15, 2024

The numbers involved are just as despairing.

Key Points: 
  • The numbers involved are just as despairing.
  • The world’s major authority on food insecurity, the IPC Famine Review Committee, estimates that 90% of Gazans – some 2.08 million people – are facing acute food insecurity.
  • Indeed, of the people facing imminent starvation in the world today, an estimated 95% are in Gaza.
  • As an expert in Palestinian public health, I fear the situation may not have hit its nadir.

Putting Palestinians ‘on a diet’

  • But food insecurity in Gaza and the mechanisms that enable it did not start with Israel’s response to the Oct. 7 attack.
  • Multiple factors contributed to this food insecurity, not least the blockade of Gaza imposed by Israel and enabled by Egypt since 2007.
  • Basic foodstuff was allowed, but because of delays at the border, it can spoil before it enters Gaza.
  • By placing restrictions on food imports, Israel seems to be trying to put pressure on Hamas by making life difficult for the people in Gaza.
  • In the words of one Israeli government adviser in 2006, “The idea is to put the Palestinians on a diet, but not to make them die of hunger.” To enable this, the Israeli government commissioned a 2008 study to work out exactly how many calories Palestinians would need to avoid malnutrition.
  • The blockade also increased food insecurity by preventing meaningful development of an economy in Gaza.

Hampering self-sufficency

  • Gaza’s fishermen are regularly shot at by Israeli gunboats if they venture farther in the Mediterranean Sea than Israel permits.
  • Because the fish closer to the shore are smaller and less plentiful, the average income of a fisherman in Gaza has more than halved since 2017.
  • By early December 2023, an estimated 22% of agricultural land had been destroyed, along with factories, farms, and water and sanitation facilities.

Starvation as weapon of war

  • The use of starvation is strictly forbidden under the Geneva Conventions, a set of statutes that govern the laws of warfare.
  • Human Rights Watch has already accused Israel of using starvation as a weapon of war, and as such it accuses the Israeli government of a war crime.
  • Yet untangling what Israel’s intentions may be – whether it is using starvation as a weapon of war, to force mass displacement, or if, as it claims, it is simply a byproduct of war – does little for the people on the ground in Gaza.


Yara M. Asi does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

MWA Nearly Doubles its Farmland Management Portfolio, Eclipses 40,000 Acres

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 15, 2024

MWA President Eric Sarff said growing the firm’s management business has been a point of emphasis over the past several months.

Key Points: 
  • MWA President Eric Sarff said growing the firm’s management business has been a point of emphasis over the past several months.
  • MWA manages farmland for a variety of clients, ranging from individuals who own a single farm to institutional asset managers with large farmland portfolios.
  • In addition, MWA can support its management clients with brokerage services, either expanding their farmland holdings or selling properties.
  • Illinois and Iowa account for the most acres managed by MWA with more than 10,000 acres each.

Yokogawa Provides Remote Operation/Monitoring System and Video Monitoring Solution for Japan’s Largest Wind Farm

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 15, 2024

Yokogawa Electric Corporation (TOKYO: 6841) announces that its subsidiary Yokogawa Solution Service Corporation has completed the design, supply, and commissioning of a remote operation and monitoring system based on the OpreX™ Collaborative Information Server for the offshore wind turbines and onshore facilities at the Ishikari Bay New Port Offshore Wind Farm.

Key Points: 
  • Yokogawa Electric Corporation (TOKYO: 6841) announces that its subsidiary Yokogawa Solution Service Corporation has completed the design, supply, and commissioning of a remote operation and monitoring system based on the OpreX™ Collaborative Information Server for the offshore wind turbines and onshore facilities at the Ishikari Bay New Port Offshore Wind Farm.
  • View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240213110562/en/
    Ishikari Bay New Port Offshore Wind Farm (Source: Green Power Investment Corporation)
    The Ishikari Bay New Port Offshore Wind Farm is the first wind farm in Japan to use large-scale 8,000kW wind turbines, and as of the start of commercial operations on January 1, 2024, it is the largest commercial wind farm in Japan.
  • The remote operation and monitoring system supplied by Yokogawa includes a video system for the monitoring of all the offshore and onshore wind power generating facilities at this wind farm.
  • Taking into account information on power demand provided by the transmission system operator, this remote operation and monitoring system provides the data required to control the amount of power that will be stored by the storage battery system.

Where Good Eaters Grow - Once Upon a Farm Continues to Raise Industry Standards With New Line of Organic Baby & Toddler Pantry Snacks

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, February 14, 2024

BERKELEY, Calif., Feb. 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Once Upon a Farm, the leading childhood nutrition brand, today announced its exciting expansion into the baby and toddler pantry snack category. Bringing their commitment to high-quality, nutritious, and delicious food to an expanded audience, Once Upon a Farm will add three new snack lines, each with three distinct recipes to its portfolio of organic, non-GMO project verified and no-added-sugar products beginning March 2024: Fruit & Veggie Puffs, Coconut Melts, and Tractor Wheels™ Toddler Soft-Baked Bars.

Key Points: 
  • BERKELEY, Calif., Feb. 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Once Upon a Farm , the leading childhood nutrition brand, today announced its exciting expansion into the baby and toddler pantry snack category.
  • "We're thrilled to offer even more ways for families to nourish their little ones with our new line of pantry snacks.
  • For product and ordering information on the Organic Baby & Toddler Pantry Snacks, click here .
  • This past fall, Once Upon a Farm also disrupted the kid's snacking category by launching their first-ever Refrigerated Oat Bars .