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This Week's Trivia Quiz

Celery is a traditional Thanksgiving food. How much of the nation's celery crop is grown in California?

50%
80%
95%

(Source: California Department of Food and Agriculture)

Issue date: » December 4, 2008 «

Table olives are losing favor on California farms

Growers of California table olives--also known as black canning olives--are reporting a disappointing crop. The government estimate for the crop was 65,000 tons, but final tonnage was only about 51,000 tons. Farmers are continuing to remove table olive trees to plant other crops that offer a greater chance for profit. Producing acreage for next year is estimated at about 25,000. That compares to 36,000 producing acres in 2000. California produces all of the nation's table olives.

Imperial Valley farmers begin winter vegetable harvest

Winter vegetable production has started in the Imperial Valley. Many of the nation's fresh vegetables come from that region during the winter months. Sunny, warm weather in the valley allows farmers to grow broccoli, carrots, all types of lettuces, spinach, cauliflower and cabbage. Export demand is strong this year and shipments have already been sent to Mexico, Canada and Pacific Rim countries. Fresh vegetable shipments have also started to other states.

New program creates low-cost hunting opportunities

The California Farm Bureau is one of the groups helping to develop hunting opportunities on private lands. It is part of Shared Habitat Alliance for Recreational Enhancement, whose goal is to provide low-cost public access for hunting and other wildlife-dependent recreational activities. Hunter applicants pay a $4 application fee for each day and each property. A $20 access fee per day is also required, as is signing a liability waiver. More information is available at www.outdoorheritage.org/administrative.

Mighty mustard: Scientists find it helps control weeds

An organic compound from white mustard has been proven as a weed killer. Research scientists say it was very effective against weeds in peppermint, which is grown in Northern California. Applications of the compound killed weeds that take nutrients from peppermint. The young peppermint plants did suffer setbacks, but quickly recovered. An organic compound would provide organic growers an alternative to hand weeding and other laborious weed-control methods.