Agriculture
How a devastating grape pest is reshaping vineyards across Colorado’s Western Slope
How a devastating grape pest is reshaping vineyards across Colorado’s Western Slope Colorado’s $3.9 billion wine industry is under threat from grape phylloxera, a devastating aphid-like insect that attacks grapevines and causes severe damage to roots. The infestation was first discovered in 2016 in Mesa County, Colorado, and has since spread to over 350 vineyard […]
📰 News
2025-2026 DWU: Middle School Aviation Challenge
2025-2026 DWU: Middle School Aviation Challenge The NASA Dream with Us: Middle School Aviation Challenge is open to students in grades 6-8 and focuses on integrating Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) into the agriculture industry. The challenge aims to improve agricultural areas such as crop monitoring, production, resilience to pests and disease, weather, harvest, and other […]
🔬 Science
‘These people do it naturally’: President Trump’s views on immigrant farmworkers reflect a long history of how farming has been idealized and practiced in America
‘These people do it naturally’: President Trump’s views on immigrant farmworkers reflect a long history of how farming has been idealized and practiced in America President Trump’s views on immigrant farmworkers reflect a long history of idealizing farming in America, where farmers have often contrasted their own virtuous and independent lifestyle with the reality that […]
🏛️ Politics
Genomics can help insect farmers avoid pitfalls of domestication
Genomics can help insect farmers avoid pitfalls of domestication Genomics can help insect farmers avoid pitfalls of domestication by anticipating and addressing potential issues early on. Insect domestication, like other forms of domestication, comes with unique challenges, including the loss of immune abilities and increased susceptibility to disease in a homogeneous population. The use of […]
🔬 Science
Biochar gives soil a boost for better cotton growing
Biochar gives soil a boost for better cotton growing Biochar, a charcoal-like substance made from leftover plant waste, has been found to improve soil conditions for cotton farming in the Mississippi Delta region. The researchers discovered that biochar can hold onto nutrients and moisture, giving cotton plants a better chance to grow strong and healthy […]
🔬 Science
Trump’s push for more deportations could boost demand for foreign farmworkers with ‘guest worker’ visas
Trump’s push for more deportations could boost demand for foreign farmworkers with ‘guest worker’ visas The Trump administration’s push for more deportations could lead to an increase in demand for foreign farmworkers with “guest worker” visas, which would help fill labor gaps in agriculture. The H-2A visa program, established in 1952, has become a mainstay […]
🏛️ Politics
NASA Harvests Lettuce for Space Station Study
NASA Harvests Lettuce for Space Station Study NASA has harvested lettuce from its Advanced Plant Habitat ground unit as part of an experiment to study plant growth in microgravity. The experiment aims to understand how optimal and suboptimal moisture conditions affect plant growth, nutrient content, and the plant microbiome in space. This research is part […]
🔬 Science
Peru’s ancient irrigation systems succeeded in turning deserts into farms because of the culture − without it, the systems failed
Peru’s ancient irrigation systems succeeded in turning deserts into farms because of the culture − without it, the systems failed The ancient irrigation systems in Peru’s north coast were successful due to the culture and knowledge of the pre-Hispanic societies that built them, which are now being lost as modern climate change and agro-industrial practices […]
🔬 Science
Providing farmworkers with health insurance is worth it for their employers − new research
Providing farmworkers with health insurance is worth it for their employers − new research Farmworkers who receive health insurance through their employers earn higher profits for their employers, even after accounting for the cost of coverage. Providing health insurance to farmworkers can lead to increased productivity and higher earnings for workers, with a potential annual […]
📰 News
Peru’s ancient irrigation systems turned deserts into farms because of the culture − without it, the systems failed
Peru’s ancient irrigation systems turned deserts into farms because of the culture − without it, the systems failed The ancient irrigation systems in Peru’s north coast turned deserts into farms due to the culture and knowledge of the pre-Hispanic societies, which functioned more efficiently than modern systems. The region’s water shortages have worsened due to […]
🔬 Science