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href="/media/blog/2021/04">April 2021</a> </li> <li><a href="/media/blog/2021/03">March 2021</a> </li> <li><a href="/media/blog/2021/02">February 2021</a> </li> <li><a href="/media/blog/2021/01">January 2021</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> <div id="block-promoblockarchive" class="usda-block"> <h2>Archive</h2> <div><p><a href="/media/blog/archive">Blog Archives</a></p></div> </div> </div> </aside> <div class="usa-width-three-fourths usa-layout-docs-main_content"> <div id="block-usda-page-title" class="usda-block usda-page-title-block usda-page-title-block-with-hero"> <h1 class="usda-page-title usda-page-title-with-hero">Plants</h1> </div> <div data-drupal-messages-fallback class="hidden"></div> <div id="block-usda-content" class="usda-block"> <div class="views-element-container"><div class="js-view-dom-id-87243f0e8a87a9956c43de7e5906239598c53947afc02133efb3d5fc41b5a648"> <div class="usda-blog-teaser"><article class="usda-blog-teaser-wrapper"> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-thumbnail"> <div> <a href="/media/blog/2024/05/13/preserving-tradition-aphis-role-safeguarding-cherry-trees" hreflang="en"><img src="/sites/default/files/styles/featured_image/public/2024-05/aphis-safeguarding-cherry-trees-blog-051324.jpg?itok=vFN8DelY" width="568" height="400" alt="Dr. Joe Foster working with a plant" loading="lazy" /> </a> </div> </div> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-content"> <h3> <a href="/media/blog/2024/05/13/preserving-tradition-aphis-role-safeguarding-cherry-trees" rel="bookmark"><span>Preserving Tradition: APHIS’ Role in Safeguarding Cherry Trees</span> </a> </h3> <div> <p>In a symbolic gesture of friendship, Japan ceremoniously gifted the United States with two live cherry trees at an event held on the D.C mall last month. The trees represent a future gift of 250 trees that will replace the historic cherry trees to be removed in a project to repair the Tidal Basin seawall that will begin this month. Cherry trees hold deep cultural significance in Japanese tradition and have become beloved symbols in Washington, D.C., celebrated annually during the Cherry Blossom Festival. However, the journey of these trees from Japan to the United States is not without challenges.</p> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-footer"> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-author">Alexandra Scott, APHIS Public Affairs – Detailed Posted in <a href="/media/blog/category/plants">Plants</a> </div> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-date"> May 13, 2024</div> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-links"> <a href="/media/blog/2024/05/13/preserving-tradition-aphis-role-safeguarding-cherry-trees#write-blog-response" aria-label="Respond to the story Preserving Tradition: APHIS’ Role in Safeguarding Cherry Trees"> Respond to this story </a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </article> </div> <div class="usda-blog-teaser"><article class="usda-blog-teaser-wrapper"> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-thumbnail"> <div> <a href="/media/blog/2024/03/06/bug-boot-camp-21-days-front-lines-fruit-fly-defense" hreflang="en"><img src="/sites/default/files/styles/featured_image/public/2024-03/aphis-bug-boot-camp-blog-030624.jpg?itok=5fGsB34M" width="568" height="400" alt="APHIS’ Public Affairs Specialist Palmer Pinckney II, services a fruit fly trap in a residential area in California’s Rancho Cucamonga" loading="lazy" /> </a> </div> </div> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-content"> <h3> <a href="/media/blog/2024/03/06/bug-boot-camp-21-days-front-lines-fruit-fly-defense" rel="bookmark"><span>Bug Boot Camp: 21 Days on the Front Lines of Fruit Fly Defense</span> </a> </h3> <div> <p>Think 'boots on the ground' means desert camo and squad leaders? Nope, for me, it meant swapping press releases for pest prevention in Redlands, California. As an APHIS public affairs pro, I'm used to writing articles on agriculture, but this past December 2023, I traded my computer keyboard for a GPS and became a rookie fruit fly wrangler. Buckle up, because this 21-day sprint was one for the (fruit) fly books!</p> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-footer"> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-author">Palmer Pinckney, Public Affairs Specialist, USDA, APHIS Posted in <a href="/media/blog/category/plants">Plants</a> </div> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-date"> Mar 06, 2024</div> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-links"> <a href="/media/blog/2024/03/06/bug-boot-camp-21-days-front-lines-fruit-fly-defense#write-blog-response" aria-label="Respond to the story Bug Boot Camp: 21 Days on the Front Lines of Fruit Fly Defense"> Respond to this story </a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </article> </div> <div class="usda-blog-teaser"><article class="usda-blog-teaser-wrapper"> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-thumbnail"> <div> <a href="/media/blog/2024/02/14/aphis-plant-protection-and-quarantine-program-recognizes-black-history-month" hreflang="en"><img src="/sites/default/files/styles/featured_image/public/2024-02/aphis-ppq-black-history-month-blog-021424.jpg?itok=FP3vShZh" width="568" height="400" alt="“Apples on the Ground” by Charles Porter" loading="lazy" /> </a> </div> </div> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-content"> <h3> <a href="/media/blog/2024/02/14/aphis-plant-protection-and-quarantine-program-recognizes-black-history-month" rel="bookmark"><span>APHIS’ Plant Protection and Quarantine Program Recognizes Black History Month – “African Americans and the Arts”</span> </a> </h3> <div> <p>The 2024 Black History Month theme, “African Americans and the Arts,” intersects with the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) Program’s dedication to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility as we celebrate African Americans’ artistic contributions.</p> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-footer"> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-author">Tess Acosta-Williams, PPQ Civil Rights and Diversity Advisory Committee Chair, Trade Specialist, USDA APHIS PPQ Posted in <a href="/media/blog/category/equity">Equity</a> <a href="/media/blog/category/plants">Plants</a> </div> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-date"> Feb 14, 2024</div> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-links"> <a href="/media/blog/2024/02/14/aphis-plant-protection-and-quarantine-program-recognizes-black-history-month#write-blog-response" aria-label="Respond to the story APHIS’ Plant Protection and Quarantine Program Recognizes Black History Month – “African Americans and the Arts”"> Respond to this story </a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </article> </div> <div class="usda-blog-teaser"><article class="usda-blog-teaser-wrapper"> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-thumbnail"> <div> <a href="/media/blog/2024/01/16/2023-year-plant-health" hreflang="en"><img src="/sites/default/files/styles/featured_image/public/2024-01/aphis-2023-year-plant-health-blog-011624.jpg?itok=uRXh8yXU" width="568" height="400" alt="A person putting plants into a jar" loading="lazy" /> </a> </div> </div> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-content"> <h3> <a href="/media/blog/2024/01/16/2023-year-plant-health" rel="bookmark"><span>2023: A Year in Plant Health</span> </a> </h3> <div> <p>USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) closed out another successful year of protecting domestic plants from invasive threats while enabling safe trade. In 2023, APHIS employees inspected at least 2.82 billion pounds of imported crops from 19 countries—a testament to the year-round effort. Collaborating with U.S. Customs and Border Protection at the ports, APHIS intercepted more than 109,000 plant pests at our borders.</p> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-footer"> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-author">Cecilia Sequeira, Public Affairs Specialist, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Posted in <a href="/media/blog/category/plants">Plants</a> </div> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-date"> Jan 16, 2024</div> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-links"> <a href="/media/blog/2024/01/16/2023-year-plant-health#write-blog-response" aria-label="Respond to the story 2023: A Year in Plant Health"> Respond to this story </a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </article> </div> <div class="usda-blog-teaser"><article class="usda-blog-teaser-wrapper"> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-thumbnail"> <div> <a href="/media/blog/2023/08/23/resilient-journey-wild-blueberries-america-origins-cultivation-challenges" hreflang="en"><img src="/sites/default/files/styles/featured_image/public/2023-08/opm-resilient-journey-wild-blueberries-america-blog-082323.jpg?itok=0xOSI2RJ" width="568" height="400" alt="Wild blueberries on bushes" loading="lazy" /> </a> </div> </div> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-content"> <h3> <a href="/media/blog/2023/08/23/resilient-journey-wild-blueberries-america-origins-cultivation-challenges" rel="bookmark"><span>The Resilient Journey of Wild Blueberries of America: From Origins to Cultivation Challenges</span> </a> </h3> <div> <p>August is prime time for wild blueberries, also known as “lowbush” blueberries, in the United States. While over 95% of wild blueberries are produced in Maine, wild blueberries are native to most of the northern United States.</p> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-footer"> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-author">Cameron Douglass, Ph.D., Agronomist/Weed Scientist, USDA Office of Pest Management Policy Posted in <a href="/media/blog/category/farming">Farming</a> <a href="/media/blog/category/food-and-nutrition">Food and Nutrition</a> <a href="/media/blog/category/plants">Plants</a> </div> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-date"> Aug 23, 2023</div> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-links"> <a href="/media/blog/2023/08/23/resilient-journey-wild-blueberries-america-origins-cultivation-challenges#write-blog-response" aria-label="Respond to the story The Resilient Journey of Wild Blueberries of America: From Origins to Cultivation Challenges"> Respond to this story </a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </article> </div> <div class="usda-blog-teaser"><article class="usda-blog-teaser-wrapper"> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-thumbnail"> <div> <a href="/media/blog/2023/01/19/200-years-bilateral-relations-mexico-protecting-agricultural-resources-plant" hreflang="en"><img src="/sites/default/files/styles/featured_image/public/2023-01/aphis-bilateral-relations-mexico-blog-011923.jpg?itok=Y1md51fC" width="568" height="400" alt="APHIS and SENASICA work in tandem with Mexican cattlemen to inspect for bovine tuberculosis, brucellosis, cattle fever ticks and other vesicular diseases in cattle destined to be exported to the United States" loading="lazy" /> </a> </div> </div> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-content"> <h3> <a href="/media/blog/2023/01/19/200-years-bilateral-relations-mexico-protecting-agricultural-resources-plant" rel="bookmark"><span>200 Years of Bilateral Relations with Mexico: Protecting Agricultural Resources from Plant Pests and Animal Disease Threats on Both Sides of the Border</span> </a> </h3> <div> <p>As of December 2022, United States and Mexico are celebrating 200 years of bilateral relations. Over these two hundred years, our nations have developed rich diplomatic and cultural ties where agriculture and trade considerations feature a prominent role.</p> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-footer"> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-author">Nick Gutiérrez, APHIS, International Services Regional Manager in Mexico Posted in <a href="/media/blog/category/animals">Animals</a> <a href="/media/blog/category/plants">Plants</a> <a href="/media/blog/category/trade">Trade</a> </div> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-date"> Jan 19, 2023</div> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-links"> <a href="/media/blog/2023/01/19/200-years-bilateral-relations-mexico-protecting-agricultural-resources-plant#write-blog-response" aria-label="Respond to the story 200 Years of Bilateral Relations with Mexico: Protecting Agricultural Resources from Plant Pests and Animal Disease Threats on Both Sides of the Border"> Respond to this story </a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </article> </div> <div class="usda-blog-teaser"><article class="usda-blog-teaser-wrapper"> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-thumbnail"> <div> <a href="/media/blog/2022/11/07/tracking-citrus-health-texas-rio-grande-valley" hreflang="en"><img src="/sites/default/files/styles/featured_image/public/2022-11/aphis-tracking-citrus-health-blog-110722.jpg?itok=KE9x32WA" width="568" height="400" alt="An APHIS CHRP inspector evaluating a backyard citrus tree" loading="lazy" /> </a> </div> </div> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-content"> <h3> <a href="/media/blog/2022/11/07/tracking-citrus-health-texas-rio-grande-valley" rel="bookmark"><span>Tracking Citrus Health in the Texas Rio Grande Valley</span> </a> </h3> <div> <p>Growing up in the Texas Rio Grande Valley - in the richness of Mexican-Texan culture, tradition, and food - citrus is a staple in our everyday life. But I never knew that diseases threatened citrus production. That changed this summer. As a communications intern, I had the opportunity to job shadow employees in APHIS’ Citrus Health Response Program (CHRP). CHRP is responsible for surveying and regulating <a href="https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/planthealth/plant-pest-and-disease-programs/pests-and-diseases/citrus-health-response-program">invasive pests and diseases</a> that harm citrus crops:</p> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-footer"> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-author">Nohelia Lopez-Izaguirre, APHIS Public Affairs Intern Posted in <a href="/media/blog/category/animals">Animals</a> <a href="/media/blog/category/plants">Plants</a> </div> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-date"> Nov 07, 2022</div> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-links"> <a href="/media/blog/2022/11/07/tracking-citrus-health-texas-rio-grande-valley#write-blog-response" aria-label="Respond to the story Tracking Citrus Health in the Texas Rio Grande Valley"> Respond to this story </a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </article> </div> <div class="usda-blog-teaser"><article class="usda-blog-teaser-wrapper"> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-thumbnail"> <div> <a href="/media/blog/2022/08/30/love-trees-please-check-yours-asian-longhorned-beetle" hreflang="en"><img src="/sites/default/files/styles/featured_image/public/2022-08/aphis-love-trees-alb-blog-083022.jpg?itok=ta5c7CR2" width="568" height="400" alt="Back side of live Asian longhorned beetle (ALB) on plant" loading="lazy" /> </a> </div> </div> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-content"> <h3> <a href="/media/blog/2022/08/30/love-trees-please-check-yours-asian-longhorned-beetle" rel="bookmark"><span>For the Love of Trees, Please Check Yours for Asian Longhorned Beetle</span> </a> </h3> <div> <p>I recently decided to go for a walk on a seasonably warm afternoon. I got out of my car at a wooded recreation area and immediately noticed how much cooler the air felt, thanks to the biggest plants on Earth – trees. From my years growing up on and then managing my family’s organic walnut farm I have a deep respect for trees. They provide countless benefits to us and the planet. They provide food and shelter, they cool and improve air quality, so it’s important to me to protect this valuable resource from invasive pests and diseases.</p> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-footer"> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-author">Jenny Lester Moffitt, Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Posted in <a href="/media/blog/category/forestry">Forestry</a> <a href="/media/blog/category/initiatives">Initiatives</a> <a href="/media/blog/category/plants">Plants</a> </div> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-date"> Aug 30, 2022</div> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-links"> <a href="/media/blog/2022/08/30/love-trees-please-check-yours-asian-longhorned-beetle#write-blog-response" aria-label="Respond to the story For the Love of Trees, Please Check Yours for Asian Longhorned Beetle"> Respond to this story </a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </article> </div> <div class="usda-blog-teaser"><article class="usda-blog-teaser-wrapper"> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-thumbnail"> <div> <a href="/media/blog/2022/05/31/assorted-bouquet-data-latest-floriculture-report" hreflang="en"><img src="/sites/default/files/styles/featured_image/public/2022-05/nass-assorted-bouquet-data-report-blog-053122.jpg?itok=wGqFr9QA" width="568" height="400" alt="A colorful bouquet of assorted flowers" loading="lazy" /> </a> </div> </div> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-content"> <h3> <a href="/media/blog/2022/05/31/assorted-bouquet-data-latest-floriculture-report" rel="bookmark"><span>An Assorted Bouquet of Data in Latest Floriculture Report</span> </a> </h3> <div> <p>April showers bring May flowers and for USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), this means the release of 2021 floriculture data. Look for more flora in this data bouquet; NASS expanded the floriculture program to cover all 50 states and more than 30 new crops.</p> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-footer"> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-author">Jodi Halvorson, Public Affairs Specialist, National Agricultural Statistics Service Posted in <a href="/media/blog/category/plants">Plants</a> <a href="/media/blog/category/research-and-science">Research and Science</a> </div> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-date"> May 31, 2022</div> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-links"> <a href="/media/blog/2022/05/31/assorted-bouquet-data-latest-floriculture-report#write-blog-response" aria-label="Respond to the story An Assorted Bouquet of Data in Latest Floriculture Report"> Respond to this story </a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </article> </div> <div class="usda-blog-teaser"><article class="usda-blog-teaser-wrapper"> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-thumbnail"> <div> <a href="/media/blog/2022/05/24/happy-national-asparagus-day-get-know-springs-delicious-vegetable" hreflang="en"><img src="/sites/default/files/styles/featured_image/public/2022-05/opmp-natl-asparagus-day-blog-052422.jpg?itok=7jtk-slo" width="568" height="400" alt="Asparagus at the USDA Headquarters People's Garden" loading="lazy" /> </a> </div> </div> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-content"> <h3> <a href="/media/blog/2022/05/24/happy-national-asparagus-day-get-know-springs-delicious-vegetable" rel="bookmark"><span>Happy National Asparagus Day! Get to Know Spring’s Delicious Vegetable</span> </a> </h3> <div> <p>USDA wishes you a happy National Asparagus Day! Americans consume over 500 million pounds of asparagus each year, and 80-90% of that is imported, mainly from Mexico and Peru. While domestic production continues to decline year-by-year, per capita consumption is growing and U.S. growers still produce 60-70 million pounds per year, mostly in Michigan, California, and Washington.</p> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-footer"> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-author">Clayton Myers, Entomologist, USDA Office of Pest Management Policy Posted in <a href="/media/blog/category/farming">Farming</a> <a href="/media/blog/category/food-and-nutrition">Food and Nutrition</a> <a href="/media/blog/category/plants">Plants</a> </div> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-date"> May 24, 2022</div> <div class="usda-blog-teaser-links"> <a href="/media/blog/2022/05/24/happy-national-asparagus-day-get-know-springs-delicious-vegetable#write-blog-response" aria-label="Respond to the story Happy National Asparagus Day! 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