Author: April Kingsman

botanical: Relating to plants or plant life. Understanding botanical terms helps farmers manage plant health and diversity.

Cactus: A succulent plant with a fleshy stem often protected by spines, found in the deserts of North and Central America. (Plural: cacti or cactuses.) Cultivating cacti can provide farmers with drought-resistant crops that require minimal water, useful in arid farming regions.

soil pan: a hard layer in the soil. ‘Greater resistance in digging soils of similar texture and moisture content indicates poor structure. Concentration of roots indicates hard to penetrate layers or blocks of soil. A soil pan may be present if roots grow horizontally or do not penetrate to any depth.’ [Farmers Guardian] Managing soil pans ensures proper root growth and water infiltration, supporting healthy crop growth and productive agriculture.

sapling: A young tree. Farmers benefit from planting and managing saplings to ensure sustainable forestry and orchard practices.

exotic: Referring to an organism or species that is not native and has been introduced from another place or region. An organism or species that is not native to its current environment. Also called alien. Managing exotic species helps farmers protect native biodiversity and prevent invasive species.

The programs and resources that support healthy eating habits and nutritional awareness, including meal planning, recipes, and dietary guidelines. For example, offering food product healthy eating programs to promote balanced diets and improve consumer health.

mastication: the process of grinding food in the mouth, using the teeth and jaws. Understanding mastication can help farmers manage livestock nutrition more effectively, ensuring better digestion and health.

afforest: To plant an area with trees. Afforestation can improve soil health and provide additional income streams for farmers through timber production.

p.t.o.: Abbreviation for power take-off. Helpful content: The power take-off is a critical component for operating various farm machinery. Understanding its use and maintenance ensures efficient operation of equipment like mowers, balers, and harvesters, improving farm productivity.

actinomycete: A bacterium shaped like a rod or filament. Order: Actinomycetales. Some actinomycetes cause diseases while others are sources of antibiotics. Farmers benefit from understanding actinomycetes to manage soil health and crop diseases.