Farming

Every couple of years I like to revisit my father’s favorite Christmas poem inspired by Clement Moore’s famous work ‘Night Before Christmas’.  
The writer is unknown but he or she certainly was a gardener; and you may even get some last minute gift ideas from its verse.
Fred Wiche, my father and the first Weekend Gardener, started writing this column years ago, imparting gardening advice and humor.  

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is opening the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) for new enrollments for federal fiscal year 2014. Now through Jan. 17, 2014, producers interested in participating in the program can submit applications to NRCS.

The Kentucky Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences names Rep. Tom McKee as its 2013 Honorary Member. The honor was presented at the KEAFCS Awards Luncheon at the Embassy Suites in Lexington by Harrison County FCS agent Benita Peoples. He was nominated by Dr. Ann Vail, Director of the School of Human Environmental Sciences.

Considering how the quest for exotic spice fueled exploration in the 15th century it is no wonder that our favorite holiday flavors herald from around the world.  
From Southwest India to Southeast Asia we find cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and mace.
True cinnamon comes from the bark of Cinnamomum zeylanicum, an evergreen tree native to Southwest India. This is the premium spice that is harvested just as new growth emerges from 2-year-old stems.