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USDA to Forecast Fruit Production

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will conduct a forecast survey for 2023 Fruit Production Inquiry (apples and peaches) during August 2023. The survey will collect information about acreage and projected production from more than 350 growers in the Northeastern Region of the United States.

and cut the thicker parts of the tentacles into 1-inch pieces, keeping the thinner parts longer. Add the cut up octopus to the bowl with the dressing and toss. Stir in the olives and parsley. Simply delicious!

For the charred eggplant, you will need extra-virgin olive oil, ¼ cup salt-packed or brined capers - rinsed, 1½ to 2 pounds eggplant (about 2 medium or large) - trimmed and sliced into ½-inch disks, 1 large handful of parsley, basil or a combination - finely chopped, 2 garlic cloves - grated, 1 teaspoon red-pepper flakes, zest and juice of one lemon, Kosher salt (such as Diamond Crystal) and black pepper.

In a small saucepan or skillet, heat ¼-cup olive oil over medium-high until it shimmers, for about one minute. Meanwhile, dry the capers very well by wrapping them in paper towels or a clean dishtowel and wringing out the moisture. Note that if there is too much moisture, the oil will sputter aggressively. Then, line a plate with paper towels.

When the oil is ready, carefully drop the capers in and fry for two to three minutes, until golden. Watch closely, as smaller capers will cook more quickly. Remove the capers from the oil with a slotted spoon and drain on the lined plate. They will crisp up further as they cool. Transfer the caper-infused oil to a large heatproof bowl and set aside to cool for a few minutes.

Next, lay the disks of eggplant on a large cutting board or sheet pan, drizzle with olive oil, then flip over, and drizzle the other side. Heat a large (12-inch) grill pan or cast-iron skillet on medium-high. (See the below tips for grilling instructions.) When hot, working in batches, add the eggplant disks in a single layer and cook for two minutes, pressing the eggplant into the pan to encourage browning. Flip, reduce heat to medium and cook on the other side for another two to three minutes, until completely tender. The eggplant continues to soften as it soaks up the marinade in the next step, so do not be tempted to overcook! Remove the eggplant from the pan and place them back on the cutting board or plate. Continue cooking the remaining eggplant.

Meanwhile, add the herbs, garlic, red-pepper flakes, lemon zest and juice, ½ teaspoon of kosher salt and a few pinches of black pepper to the bowl with the cooled caper-infused oil. Toss to combine and taste, making sure it has enough salt. Add the warm eggplant slices to the oil and gently toss to coat. Allow to marinate for at least five minutes. Enjoy this summer favorite!

Tips to grill the eggplant: Heat a grill to medium-high, then clean and oil the grates. Grill the eggplant over direct heat for two to three minutes, until there are char marks and the eggplant has begun to soften. Flip and cook for another two to three minutes until cooked through. If using a gas grill, close the lid between flips.

“The information from these surveys directly impacts our regions’ fruit growers by providing a forecast of fruit production in the Northeast,” said King Whetstone, director of the NASS Northeastern Regional Field Office. “Growers can use the survey results when making business plans and marketing decisions. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) relies on the average yields to administer farm programs. Cooperative Extension uses the data to provide needed outreach and education, and state departments and agencies of agriculture use the information to aid growers.”

In these surveys, NASS asks participants to answer a variety of questions about apples and peaches, depending on state and version of the questionnaire. For their convenience, survey participants have the option to respond online. As with all NASS surveys, all information from respondents is kept confidential as required by federal law. NASS safeguards the confidentiality of all responses and publishes only state and national level data, ensuring that no individual producer or operation can be identified.

NASS will compile, analyze, and publish survey results in the August 11, 2023 Crop Production report.

USDA to Forecast Cranberry Production

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will conduct a forecast survey for 2023 cranberry production during August 2023. This survey can be completed by mail, phone, or online at agcounts.usda.gov.

“The information from this survey directly impacts our regions’ growers by providing a forecast of production throughout the country,” said King Whetstone, director of the NASS Northeastern Regional Field Office. “States with cranberry growers participating in this survey include Massachusetts, New Jersey, Oregon, and Wisconsin.”

In these surveys, NASS asks participants to answer a variety of questions about cranberries. For their convenience, survey participants have the option to respond online. As with all NASS surveys, all information from respondents is kept confidential as required by federal law. NASS safeguards the confidentiality of all responses and publishes only state and national level data, ensuring that no individual producer or operation can be identified.

NASS will compile, analyze, and publish survey results in the August 11, 2023 Crop Production report.

In times of adversity, it is essential to have a strong support system that can help farmers weather the storms and overcome the challenges they face. Today, I want to shed light on the critical role played by the Farm Service Agency and its robust disaster assistance programs.

The FSA understands that Mother Nature can sometimes be unforgiving, subjecting our hardworking farmers to unforeseen natural disasters such as floods, droughts, wildfires, and hurricanes. To alleviate the financial burden and help them get back on their feet, the FSA offers a range of disaster assistance programs.

One of the primary programs is the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP), which provides funding and technical assistance to restore farmland damaged by natural disasters. Through ECP, farmers can access resources to repair fences, restore conservation structures, and mitigate erosion, allowing them to resume their operations and protect their land for future generations.

Additionally, the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) and the Tree Assistance Program (TAP) offer much-needed assistance to farmers who have suffered livestock losses or crop damage due to eligible natural disasters. These programs provide financial relief, compensating farmers for their losses and helping

Now that we have officially reached the dog days of August, we are usually blessed with an abundance of locally grown seasonal offerings of fruits and vegetables. Peppers, eggplant and tomatoes are in full swing. Summer vine crops such as melons, cucumbers and summer squashes should also be doing well.

As the days shorten later in the month, cooler season vegetables such as lettuce, kale, and other leafy greens will start to reappear after taking a couple of months off for the heat of the summer. But sometimes, either due to the short seasonal nature of many plants, or issues that are brought about by weather events such as drought or excessive rains, some plantings do not last quite as long as we would like. Mother Nature just doesn’t always cooperate. But then again, Mother Nature doesn’t have to eat. If you want to have some extra added insurance to ensure a full refrigerator/pantry/ cellar, there are a few simple steps that we can take.

One way to take full advantage of the summer growing season is by using successive plantings to ensure that there is a steady

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