Food Blog

The Food Blog covers our latest research and extension work to advance and optimize the production and vitality of California's abundant agricultural commodities.

Orange marmalade ready for freezing or water bath canning. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

Preserving and eating citrus peels and watermelon rind

February 9, 2021

Growing up, my parents told us stories of how as kids, they kept from starving during the Great Depression by not letting anything edible go to waste. To stay alive, they learned to eat beef tripe (stomach lining), chicken feet, cow tongue and other things not normally consumed.

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“UC Wolfskill can be harvested 12 to 14 days earlier than Chandler and provides consistently light to extra light color,” says UC Davis breeder Chuck Leslie. Photo by Janine Hasey

‘UC Wolfskill’ walnut will allow earlier harvest

January 21, 2021

UC Davis researchers have bred a new walnut variety designed to provide growers a way to harvest earlier and boost the harvest efficiency of California's $1.6 billion walnut industry.

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Lavender grower Carol Hamre spoke about her trials and successes regarding vertebrate pest control and drip irrigation.

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Small-scale growers meet virtually to discuss organic agriculture

January 14, 2021

By Janet S Hartin

Over 150 current and prospective organic growers gleaned practical information shared by UC Agriculture and Natural Resources experts at the Introduction to Small-Scale Organic Agriculture workshop held virtually on Dec. 15, 2020.

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For the high-density planting study, avocado trees were spaced 10’x10’ or 430 trees per acre. Traditional plantings of avocados are spaced 20’x15’ or 145 trees per acre. Photo by Ben Faber

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New avocado study outlines costs and returns of high-density plantings

January 4, 2021

By Pamela S Kan-Rice

Growers considering producing avocados in San Diego County with high-density plantings now have help to determine the economic feasibility.

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In his spare time, Max Fairbee volunteers to deliver food to elderly Alameda County residents. "I think that seeing someone actually means more to them than the food itself,” he said.

Elders need food and family for the holidays

December 23, 2020

In the U.S., the holiday season of Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, and New Year seems to be a nonstop race to the end of the year. Gathering to exchange gifts and eat special food and bountiful meals are common ways we celebrate.

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