With gas prices over $3 a gallon this summer, area farmers are doing what they can to ensure higher petroleum-based product costs do not cause a $2 or $3 increase in the price of a dozen ears of sweet corn. As always, adverse weather conditions may have an impact on prices as well, he said, noting that as yet he was not aware of any major price increases in the early crops, such as strawberries. Although growers who sell locally grown produce at roadside farm stands are unhappy about...

Here are four serving suggestions: Cilantro-lime butter: In food processor, mix 1/2 cup lightly packed fresh cilantro leaves, 1/2 teaspoon lime zest, 1/2 teaspoon salt, hot sauce to taste and 1 stick soft butter. To season before cooking, brush corn with a paste of your favorite spices and soft butter. Here are two suggestions: Cajun spice: 3 tablespoons soft butter, 1/2 teaspoon celery salt and 1/4 teaspoon each garlic powder, salt and cayenne. Italian oil: Whisk 3 tablespoons olive oil,...

The planted-acreage report has the potential to be a shocker and a major market mover, as a planted acreage figure under the trade estimate of 87-88 million acres will be explosive as prices will need to rally in a last-ditch effort to attract more seeded acres this spring. While this demand figure has been talked about for some time and should already be factored into prices, the market will have to maintain these price levels or ending stocks will tighten further. Market Watch Online...

San Francisco - A soon-to-be-published weight-loss book helps dieters reduce not just their intake of calories, but the negative impact of their food consumption choices on the environment. While former US vice president Al Gore's bestselling book and Oscar-winning documentary "An Inconvenient Truth" awakened Americans to the impending environmental crisis caused by global warming, it did not deal with the impact from food consumption choices -- a huge oversight, according to the authors....

However, he planted corn across the top of all of them and I had a devil of a time cutting the grass between the plots because the sweet corn blocked my exit. I brought him home enough sweet corn seed from the sheep folks up at Platteville to fill those plots. Sweet corn adventure makes new friends, crop. With as many plots he has worked up, he probably will have me with a stand along the road selling corn. After he got done with his tilling I asked, What are you going to plant in all this...