According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, incorrectly handling poultry and undercooking turkey or chicken are the most common causes of foodborne illnesses during the holidays. Here’s some helpful tips to keep in mind in the kitchen this holiday season that will help ensure your festivities are not spoiled by foodborne illnesses.

Virginia State University is conducting trials of growing raspberry in containers on a single stem under high tunnel conditions. Dr. Reza Rafie, horticulture Extension specialist at VSU believes this system of raspberry production can be a good fit for Virginia’s small-scale farmers and even homeowners. This video briefly describes the potential of container-grown single-stem raspberries.

Cucurbit Downy Mildew (CDM) caused by the water mold, also known as oomycetous organism Pseudoperonospora cubensis, is a devastating foliar disease of cucurbits which may wipeout crops in a short window span if humid and wet weather prevails for a long time. The disease was confirmed on cucumber plants that were grown on Sentinel plots located at Randolph Farm in Southern Chesterfield County, Virginia.

With the recent increase in severe weather events, more preparation is needed to reduce property damage and monetary loss due to tree damage. Urban trees offer numerous eco-services that provide monetary benefits. In order to maintain the eco-capitol (flow of benefits to the population), the trees need maintenance to reduce damage from severe weather events.