Farming

Most of us are not fluent in Latin so distinguishing between an Aesculus parviflora and an Aesculus pavia may take some extra effort. Throw hybrids and cultivars into the mix and our plant choices may increase with our confusion.  
Categorizing plants is both scientifically and commercially important.

USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announces that the ranking period cut-off date for the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) is Jan. 13, 2012. Producers interested in CSP should submit applications to their local NRCS office by the deadline so that their applications can be considered during the first ranking period of 2012.
The CSP is a voluntary program that encourages agricultural and forestry producers to address resource concerns by: undertaking additional conservation activities; and improving and maintaining existing conservation systems.

Hope you don’t mind that I take this opportunity to reflect a little.  
Another year is gone, I remember my elders marveling over this and how quickly time goes by and I get it now.  
I have learned some this year, but I don’t necessarily feel smarter; I have aged some, but don’t necessarily feel older; and I have made new friends that have taught me that there is always potential which has made me excited about the rest of my life.

Holiday greenery has a history that goes well beyond the Victorian Christmas tree we gather around today.
Most of the holiday greenery we use to decorate dates back to the pagan holidays of the Romans and Northern Europeans when certain plants where chosen for their symbolic powers of restoration and protection.