Gordon Sato traveled to Eritrea for the first time in 1985. The Japanese-American cell biologist wanted to see what he could do to help the people in their struggle for independence from Ethiopia. On his trip, he noticed that camels were eating the leaves of mangrove trees growing along the coast. He planted more mangroves so they could be […]
Poinsettias are the best-selling potted flowering plant in the United States and, they are a traditional part of Christmas celebrations. That is why almost all of them are sold in the wintertime. The Department of Agriculture estimates that Americans bought $250 million worth of poinsettias last year. The poinsettia is native to Central America and […]
Tall or short, fat or thin, natural, plastic or metal. Whatever the choice, the National Christmas Tree Association says Americans bought over 40 million Christmas trees last year. Christmas trees are grown and harvested in all 50 states. Christmas time in the city usually means buying trees already cut and waiting to be sold. But some […]
The United Nations says in 2012, aid agencies treated a record number of children in the Sahel area of West Africa for severe acute malnutrition. The United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, says many of them were saved from the life-threatening condition. Severe food shortages and drought have increased malnutrition rates in the Sahel. UNICEF says […]
Agriculture produces a lot of the greenhouse gasses that scientists link to risingtemperatures and climate change. Agriculture can also be hurt by the effects of climate change. A new report says high temperatures and unpredictable weather are disrupting agriculture in many parts of the world. The report is called “Innovations in Sustainable Agriculture: Supporting Climate-Friendly Food Production.” The Worldwatch Institute in Washington […]
From VOA Learning English, we bring you news about agriculture, in Special English. Each year, bad food sickens about one in six Americans. But, proposed new rules raise hopes to improve food safety. Officials say the changes could prevent more than 1 million cases of food-related illnesses each year.The new rules were proposed recently, exactly […]
From VOA Learning English, welcome to Agriculture, in Special English. I have a question for you: When is a plant considered a weed? Well, the experts at Penn State University have a simple answer: When the bad qualities outweigh the good qualities. Consider the fact that crops produce several hundred seeds from each plant. By comparison, each […]
From VOA Learning English, welcome to Agriculture in Special English. How much of the world’s food is going to waste? The Institution of Mechanical Engineers released a report that says as much as half of all food is wasted. The Britain-based group says that must change if the world is to feed its growing population. Every year the world produces about […]
Avoiding Future Famines in Somalia From VOA Learning English, this is the Agriculture Report in Special English. The humanitarian situation in Somalia has improved. United Nations officials say the improvement is the result of new methods of aid delivery, more rainfall and success against militants. Luca Alinovi is head of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization […]
From VOA Learning English, this is the Agriculture Report in Special English. Have you ever thought about planting a garden, but didn’t think you had a spot with enough sunlight? Well, not all vegetables need a lot of sun. Mark Hoffman and his wife, Guia, own a guesthouse in Kempton, Illinois. They often serve their […]