Agriculture In Yuma

Experts say farming next best use for drones

BY MARY SHINN - CRONKITE NEWS SERVICE

WASHINGTON — Drones numbering in the tens of thousands will be in the skies by 2030, the Federal Aviation Administration predicts. But where some may fear precision weapons or flying spy cameras, Steve Markofski sees flying tractors.Markofski, ... Full story

Yuma's field-burning season nears

BY CHRIS McDANIEL - @YS_CMCDANIEL

After the last of the winter wheat is harvested in the Yuma area, the fields need to be prepared for the next growing season. To do so, many farmers in the Yuma area choose to burn their fields, which means residents can expect to see many plumes of ... Full story

Yuma summit examines water issues

BY JOYCE LOBECK @YSJoyceLobeck

Herb Guenther, affectionately referred to in Yuma County as “Mr. Arizona Water,” related the adage that some people make things happen, some watch them happen and some wonder what happened.“I would rather be in the first group,&rdqu... Full story

AgWeek numbers please organizers

BY HILLARY DAVIS @YSHillaryDavis

Organizers of Yuma's AgWeek are pleased with this year's turnout.Yuma Lettuce Days, the festival capping off several days that promoted Yuma's extensive agricultural background, saw more than 18,000 attendees – a slight dip, as the festival com... Full story

Crop of the Week: Artichokes

BY KURTE NOLTE - AG AGENT

• Historians believe the artichoke originated in the Mediterranean countries, possible Sicily or Tunisia, where they were first developed into an edible vegetable. In 77 A.D., the Roman naturalist Pliny the Elder called the choke one of Earth's ... Full story

Crop of the Week: Olives

BY KURT NOLTE - AG AGENT

• The olive is native to the Mediterranean region, tropical and central Asia and various parts of Africa. At a site in Spain, carbon-dating has shown olive seed found there to be 8,000 years old. Archeological evidence suggests that olives were ... Full story

Crop of the Week: Greenhouse tomatoes

BY KURT NOLTE - AG AGENT

• The first modern greenhouses were built in Italy in the 13th century to house the exotic plants that explorers brought back from the tropics. The concept of greenhouses soon spread to the Netherlands and then England, along with the plants.&bu... Full story

Water expert: Yuma’s threat to its supply from within

BY JOYCE LOBECK @YSJoyceLobeck

Water is certainly a “hot button” for Yuma, evidenced by the reaction to a controversial bill in the Legislature that would have authorized establishing authorities that could buy and sell water.HB 2338, currently on hold in the House Agr... Full story

Marching toward spring

BY KAREN BOWEN, DESERT GARDENER

Spring is in the air! Our temperatures are warming up and thoughts are turning to the fast-approaching Yuma County Fair April 2-7. This year's fair theme is “Grand Ol' Fair,” and you can have a grand ol' time entering your plants and cut... Full story

Crop of the Week: Cilantro

BY KURT NOLTE - AG AGENT

• In the Yuma area, cilantro is grown on approximately 250 acres as a fresh-cut specialty crop. After harvest, it can be found in grocery stores and restaurants all over the United States. • Cilantro has a strong, sage-citrus flavor that ma... Full story

Unique crops are stars of festival

BY MOLLY BLAKE AND CHRIS MCDANIEL

Some of the many unique crops and culinary trends emanating from the Yuma area will be on display during the 2013 Yuma Lettuce Days Festival. Among the produce farmed in Yuma such as lettuce, spinach and other dinner table staples lurk some rather u... Full story

Meet the presenting chefs of Yuma Lettuce Days

BY HILLARY DAVIS @YSHillaryDavis

Put a rainbow on your plate, learn a tasty kale or grilled lettuce dish, and maybe see a potato turn into a rose with the chefs demonstrating their expertise at Lettuce Days.The celebrity and local chefs who will bring their talents to the festival i... Full story

Salad bar to showcase local grower's premium produce

Toss it or wrap it, but don't leaf it uneaten...

BY ANN WALKER - SPECIAL TO YUMA SUN

You could hardly have a festival dedicated to lettuce without including salad – but what's special about the Toss It Up Arena salad bar at Yuma Lettuce Days is the quality of the produce you can put on your plate. That's only natural, since th... Full story

Yuma's Recipe Box tasting event

Saturday 1-4 p.m. only

Bring your appetite to this special tasting event where an array of Yuma restaurants offer samples of their most delicious specialties – along with wines from Yuma's Main Squeeze, samples of Budweiser brews and tasteful entertainment by the Yum... Full story

Kale-gating: Taste of crunchy, healthy - Kale chips

BY MARA KNAUB @YSMaraKnaub

You can't just eat one. That's what they say about potato chips. But there's a healthier alternative, which some say are just as addictive and delicious - kale chips.Never tried them? Here's your chance. Taylor Farms will be sponsoring the first-ever... Full story

Yuma Lettuce Days: Getting there

During Lettuce Days, parking at the front entrance to the Yuma Quartermaster Depot State Historic Park off 4th Avenue is reserved for those with handicapped parking permits only.Free parking for the public (and entertainers, vendors and others) is av... Full story

Dole to celebrate longtime employees

BY HILLARY DAVIS @YSHillaryDavis

At a time when Yuma is celebrating agriculture, it's also celebrating the people who bring those fruits and veggies from field to market, and eventually, your plate. Close to 200 Dole employees in the Yuma area will be feted by their employer for at... Full story

Farmers grow future generation with scholarship fund

BY JOYCE LOBECK @YSJoyceLobeck

Yuma-area farmers not only are growing crops to feed and clothe the nation, they also are doing what they can to grow future generations to carry on the local agriculture industry. A few years ago, farmers and businesses that support them started a ... Full story

Harvest Dinner ... a homegrown feast

BY YUMA VISITORS BUREAU

You don't have to be a farmer to attend the Harvest Dinner – but you'd better be a fan, or at least willing to eat your Yuma vegetables.Set for 6 p.m. March 7 at the Yuma Quartermaster Depot State Historic Park, the event serves as a bridge bet... Full story

Fun for all ages with Kids' Ag-tivities!

BY ANN WALKER/SPECIAL TO YUMA SUN

Hungry for family fun? Food and farm fans of all ages will find something to love at Yuma Lettuce Days, including a special Kids' Ag-tivities Arena sponsored by Dole Fresh Vegetables, along with its “toddler town” neighborhood for the lit... Full story

'Agriculture In Yuma' Archives