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In the U.S., lab-grown diamond sales jumped 16% in 2023 from 2022, according to Edahn Golan, an industry analyst. Social media posts show millennials and Generation Zs proudly explaining the purchase of their lab-grown diamonds for sustainability and ethical reasons. Natural diamonds take billions of years to form and are difficult to find, making their price more stable. Globally, lab-grown diamonds are now 5-6% of the market and the traditional industry is not taking it sitting down. It's also still true in more rural areas of the United States, while lab-grown diamonds have taken off more in the cities.

Persons: Bario Neal, Haley Farlow, ”, Golan, Zs, Farlow, that's, Cupid, Martin Roscheisen, Paul Zimnisky, Zimnisky, It's, Mother Earth, ” Zimnisky, Page Neal, it’s Organizations: PHILADELPHIA, Diamond, Diamond Foundry, telltale, Gemological Institute of America, Mother, Associated Press Locations: Philadelphia, U.S, India, China, Henan, Zhuhai, Na Diamond, HeNan, Ningbo Crysdiam, United States, Wenatchee , Washington, Columbia, AP.org

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Marijuana retailers in Connecticut say a dearth of licensed growers in the state’s fledgling legal pot industry has left them with a shortage of product to sell. The supply problem has appeared after slow retail growth in neighboring New York last year left growers there struggling with the opposite: an excess of supply. So each state that legalizes marijuana is left with its own process for licensing growers and sellers, and trying to create a balance between the two within state borders. When recreational sales became legal in Connecticut in January 2023, he said, there were seven dispensaries in the state and four producers. New York belatedly hastened the pace of retail openings, and the state listed 61 adult-use dispensaries open statewide Monday.

Persons: Benjamin Zachs, Fine, ” Zachs, ”, Kaitlyn Krasselt, Gail Hepworth, “ It’s, Brittany Carbone, Zachs, “, he's, ___ Organizations: —, Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection, Retailers, New, Farmers, Hepworth, Tricolla, Cannabis Association of New Locations: HARTFORD, Conn, Connecticut, New York, we're, ” New York, Hudson, Cannabis Association of New York, Altamont, N.Y

☆ Monthly Meeting Q&A with Jim Cramer: Everything from health care to industrials to portfolio management
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-28 | by ( Paulina Likos | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +13 min

(Luca) Jim Cramer: I am getting over the pain of Morgan Stanley but not the simmering anger. Jeff Marks: A general rule of thumb is look for a pullback of about 3% to 5% to put some on. Jeff Marks: You should do what you are comfortable with but a general rule of thumb is five to ten. (Austin) Jim Cramer: We made a nice sale in CAT, sold half of the position. As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade.

Persons: Jim Cramer's, Jeff Marks, Brian, Jim Cramer, Eaton, There's, Jim, Morgan Stanley, gravitating, Goldman Sachs, Ted Pick, Luca, Eli Lilly, Jenny, I'm, We've, Palo, Dan, I've, Max, Carly Garner, CTRA, We're, we'd, Ford, Estee Lauder, Kimberly, didn't, –, Mike, that's, Austin, it's, Jim Umpleby, Bill, Jason Robins, Jason, DraftKings, They're, Sandy, WYNN Organizations: Investing Club, Abbott Laboratories, Wealth Management, Disney, Fed, Palo Alto Networks, Microsoft, Nvidia, Nasdaq, Club, Energy, Ford, Bronco, CME Fed, Caterpillar, China, Wynn Resorts, DuPont, CNBC Locations: IPOs, New York City, Palo Alto, China, California, Texas, Macao

☆ Quality stocks are dominating the market, up 25% in the past year
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-27 | by ( Michael Santoli | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

Among the most broadly played investment "factors" — including value, momentum, low volatility, dividend yield — quality has dominated the market, the representative iShares MSCI USA Quality ETF (QUAL) up 25% in the past year, compared to 13% for S & P 500 value and less than 5% for the equal-weighted S & P 500. Even within industry sectors, the stocks with higher quality scores have sped ahead ( Costco in retail, WW Grainger in industrials, etc.). The quality label is based on strong balance sheets, high and steady profit margins, consistency of earnings growth and the like. Sure, there are multi-year secular growth stories animating the AI innovators and weight-loss-drug developers, but most quality stocks stand out for steadiness. Any give-back of the leading quality growth names wouldn't be easily absorbed by the broader market.

Persons: iShares, WW Grainger, Berkshire Hathaway, Goldman Sachs, FactSet, Michael Gates, Ed Yardeni, it's, Jerome Powell Organizations: Costco, Nasdaq, Nvidia, Microsoft, Apple, Visa, Mastercard, Nike, Bank of America, Citi, Invest, BlackRock's, Yardeni Research Locations: industrials, Berkshire

☆ Stocks to buy for the next leg of the bull market, according to a money manager who helps run $1 trillion
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-19 | by ( Yun Li | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The S & P 500 just notched a record high to declare its bull market status, but according to one money manager who helps oversee more than $1 trillion, there are a few names investors could focus on for the next leg of the cycle. "We're concerned about U.S. consumers, who are burdened by record levels of credit card debt at elevated interest rates." .SPX 1Y mountain S & P 500 The S & P 500 , which hit an all-time intraday peak on Friday, roared back at the end of 2023, notching a 24% gain for the year. Infrastructure stocks Malik believes that global infrastructure companies benefit from inelastic demand for the necessary services they provide, and are thus insulated from most recession risks. "Both dividend growth and global infrastructure stocks have historically weathered down markets relatively well," Malik said.

Persons: Saira Malik, Malik, that's, Linde Organizations: Investors, Fed, CNBC Pro, Motorola Solutions, Deutsche Bank, Motorola, CMS Energy Locations: Jackson, Michigan

☆ Champagne sales fizzle after hitting Covid-era record highs
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-15 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —Champagne sales have lost some of their pop in 2023 following a few record-breaking years of sales spurred by the end of Covid-19 lockdowns. That marks nearly a return to pre-Covid levels in 2019, when 297.3 million bottles were shipped. During its peak in 2022, sales soared by 33%, when 325 million bottles were shipped. The name Champagne is exclusively reserved for wines harvested and produced by 16,200 growers on 34,300 hectares northeast of Paris. This cost France a total of roughly $2 billion in sales, a recent report said.

Persons: Comité, “, David Chatillon, LVMH Moët Hennessy, Dom Pérignon, CNN’s Anna Cooban Organizations: New, New York CNN Locations: New York, Covid, Champagne, France, Paris

☆ These dividend-growing stocks are ripe for the picking in 2024, Morgan Stanley says
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-10 | by ( Darla Mercado | Cfp | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Dividend-growing stocks offer investors the ultimate of benefits: the prospect of rising income and stock price appreciation, Morgan Stanley found. Tech isn't usually associated with dividend income, but some semiconductor-related stocks made it to Morgan Stanley's list. Broadcom , an artificial intelligence beneficiary whose shares are up 88% in the past year, was also highlighted on Morgan Stanley's list of dividend ideas. Finally, Mondelez International , maker of Sour Patch Kids candy and Oreo cookies, made it to Morgan Stanley's list of dividend growers. Other names that made Morgan Stanley's list of companies that have raised their dividends include Accenture , Microsoft , Marathon Petroleum and D.R.

Persons: Morgan Stanley, Todd Castagno, Castagno, Morgan Stanley's, Lam, Atif Malik, Morgan, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley's Pamela Kaufman, Mondelez Organizations: Federal Reserve, Equity, Tech, Lam Research, FactSet, Citi, Broadcom, Mondelez, Accenture, Microsoft, Marathon Petroleum Locations: U.S, Horton

☆ Greek olive growers brace themselves as thieves seek pricey crop
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-05 | by ( Lefteris Papadimas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Tsafaras has been robbed twice, with thieves stealing more than a tonne of his olives in one incident last month. Greek police confirmed to Reuters that there is a spike in thefts of olives and olive oil across the country this year. Greece is the world's third-biggest producer of olive oil behind Italy and Spain, which have seen similar incidents. The decline in output has doubled olive oil wholesale prices to 8-9 euros per litre, according to government officials. Retail prices have reached up to 14 euros, making the crop an appealing target for thieves.

Persons: Louisa Gouliamaki, Panagiotis Tsafaras, Tsafaras, Dimitris Plakonouris, Plakonouris, Panagiotis Foudas, Lefteris Papadimas, Mark Porter Organizations: REUTERS, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Sesklo, Greece, Filiatra, Italy, Spain,

One year ago, natural pet food brand NUTRO™ announced the start of their Greater Ground™ program whose mission is to encourage growers to adopt healthy soil practices. This aims to raise awareness of the importance of healthy soil and to encourage select growers in their network to implement healthy soil practices by providing training, support, and funding. Because growers can face many barriers in adopting healthy soil practices on their farms, the NUTRO™ Greater Ground program also offers Soil Growth grants which provide financial support to selected growers within their network. These grants help with the transition costs needed to implement healthy soil practices. In the fable, one neighbor helps the other transform their farm using healthy soil practices.

Persons: ™, Alanna McDonald, HFI, McDonald, we've, Arlo, Mars Organizations: Food & Agriculture Organization, United Nations, Mars, Soil Growth, Growth, Schiff Farms Inc, Soil, Insider Studios Locations: North America, mutuality, Delaware

☆ No shortage of Christmas trees this year, but don’t expect any red-tag deals
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-02 | by ( Parija Bhatnagar | Parija Kavilanz | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

As far as trees go, farms are promising there will be an adequate supply of trees this year. It typically takes eight to 10 years to grow a Christmas tree, depending on the variety and location, according to the National Christmas Tree Association, a trade group representing growers. “I haven’t heard of any community in America where people haven’t been able to get a Christmas tree and I don’t expect that will be the case this year,” said Tim O’Connor, executive director of the National Christmas Tree Association. The Real Christmas Tree Board, an industry trade group, in September surveyed 49 wholesale growers of Christmas trees who collectively account for two-thirds of the nation’s tree supply about their outlook for the holiday season. “The starting wholesale price is gonna be much more controlled this year than what we had to experience last year.

Persons: Fraser, haven’t, ”, Tim O’Connor, O’Conner, it’s, Marsha Gray, ” Gray, “, ” Lauren Segedin, “ We’re Organizations: New, New York CNN, Association, Tree Association, Board Locations: New York, America, Glenville , North Carolina, Fraser Fir

☆ 7 weird jobs that are well-paying but nobody knows about, according to a viral Reddit thread
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( Aria Yang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

A Reddit user asked what are weird jobs nobody knows about but pay well. AdvertisementA Reddit user asked which jobs were relatively unknown but lucrative and the post went viral. Teeth designerA Reddit user said he makes teeth on a computer using CAD/CAM software for dental laboratories. Artificial flavor makerOne Reddit user wrote, "My dad was a master flavorist. Reddit user solarblack wrote, "My Aunt and her daughter both do seasonal work as hand pollinators and harvesters.

Persons: Redditors, —, IndependenceNo2060, Loreo1964, die_lahn, solarblack Organizations: Service, Business, Heineken

☆ Australia walks a tight rope on trade with China as security concerns mount
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( Clement Tan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 6, 2023. While trade compulsions have forced the Asia-Pacific nation to reach out to China, security concerns over Beijing's South China Sea claims have prevented a reset in ties. Trade talksPart of Beijing's calculus is rooted in Australia economic dependence on China. According to the Australian government, China is its largest trading partner, accounting for nearly a third of the country's total trade with the world. Australia is already closely watching potential flashpoints in the South China Sea, and in regard to Taiwan," Economist Intelligence Unit analysts said in a note.

Persons: Xi Jinping, Anthony Albanese, Ding Haitao, coronavirus, Darren Lim, Lee McLean, McLean, we've, Albanese, We've Organizations: Australian, of, People, Getty Images, Xinhua, Agency, Xinhua News Agency, Getty, Australian National University, Labor, Australia, U.S ., China Hub . Trade, CNBC, Sky News Australia, Economist Intelligence, U.S Locations: Beijing, China, Xinhua, Australia, Asia, Pacific, Canberra, U.S, South China, Taiwan, The Hague, Philippines

☆ At the Chicago Architecture Biennial, Artists Run Free
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-28 | by ( Christopher Hawthorne | More About Christopher Hawthorne | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

So what are we to make of a biennial that rejects, in ways small and large, the idea of proceeding on “a biennial timeline?” Is this bravery? It may be what happens when you hand over the reins of an architecture biennial to an art collective. Of course they are going to see architecture mostly as a vehicle for a different — in their minds larger and more pressing — set of goals. Surely there is a limit, though, to the architecture profession’s willingness to be used primarily as fertilizer, however delicious the locally grown vegetables wind up tasting. Chicago Architecture Biennial 5: This Is a RehearsalThrough Feb. 11, 2024, at the Chicago Cultural Center and other venues around Chicago; chicagoarchitecturebiennial.org.

Organizations: Urban Growers, Chicago Cultural Center Locations: Chicago

☆ How AI could power the climate breakthrough the world needs
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-26 | by ( Clare Duffy | Rachel Ramirez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +14 min

The tool uses data on the climate, water and soil of a particular location to measure how viable the landscape will be for growing in the coming years. “The way we think about AI is it’s a time and effectiveness multiplier to the solutions for climate change,” Gupta told CNN. But for all of AI’s promise, the infrastructure that supports the technology — data centers filled with rows of powerful, energy-sucking computers — could itself be a strain on the environment. For now, the amount of energy used to power AI is relatively small compared to what’s consumed by transportation or buildings. Data center operators like Google are already thinking about how to reduce the resources needed to power the computing behind their AI models.

Persons: David Rind, ClimateAi, Himanshu Gupta, ” Gupta, ”, Fengqi, “, Kara Lamb, Aditya, Dan Keeler, ” Keeler, Anna Liljedahl, ” Liljedahl, Keeler, Daniel Leal, ClimateAi’s Gupta, Anna Robertson, ” Robertson, Alex de Vries, Alex Kraus, Adam Selipsky, —, Gupta Organizations: David Rind . New York CNN, Farmers, CNN, Cornell, Getty, Technology, Climate Research, Google, Bloomberg, Web Services, —, “ Regulators, ” Tech Locations: David Rind . New York, India, Maharashtra, Columbia, American, Ireland, Oregon, United States

☆ How to choose the best Christmas tree, according to science
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-25 | by ( Jenny Mcgrath | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

Some aspects of choosing a live Christmas tree, like shape, color, and aroma, are subjective. Two Christmas tree experts explain how to choose between the many types of fir, pine, and spruce. Unlike fir and spruce trees, pine tree needles are clustered in groups instead of individually attached to the branch. The National Christmas Tree Association has a map for finding farms and other retailers that sell live Christmas trees. AdvertisementWhich Christmas tree has the best aroma?

Persons: —, there's, Fraser, Douglas, Noble, There's, Justin G, Whitehill, Bert Cregg, It's, Cregg, Chris Keane Whitehill, it's, Frasers, he's, Jason Reed Douglas, Mel Melcon, Jerry Holt, Bert, they'll, Alex Wong, Andrew Matthews, Tim Leedy, Paul J, Richards, Robert Nemeti, Jens Kalaene, you'll, Cesar L, Laure Organizations: Service, US Department of Agriculture, North Carolina State University, of Horticulture, Michigan State University, Northwest, REUTERS, White, Los Angeles Times, Getty, Star Tribune, MediaNews, Anadolu Agency, Call, Tribune Locations: Oregon, North Carolina, Michigan, Nobles , North Carolina, Douglas, Frasers, Fraser, Pacific Northwest, Europe, Canaan, Allentown

☆ The little-known agriculture stocks shaping the future of alternative protein
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-25 | by ( Alex Harring | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Not every corner of the plant-based food industry has been burned. After the boom-and-bust cycle of Beyond Meat stock, analysts have wondered what comes next for the plant-based food space. The alternative protein market Beyond Meat's struggles have left some skeptical about which companies have what it takes to meet the needs of consumers who want to avoid animal-based products for health or environmental reasons. After topping $230 per share at its highest point, Beyond Meat stock now trades below $7. There's a business argument beyond the alternative protein market that can bode well when forecasting demand, Morningstar's Goldstein said.

Persons: Kristen Owen, Oppenheimer, Morgan Stanley, Michael Canfield, FactSet, Canfield, Corteva, Morningstar, Seth Goldstein, Goldstein, Vincent Andrews, Owen, Zepbound, milks, bode, Morningstar's Goldstein, Archer, Michael Bloom Organizations: Good Food Institute, Daniels, Midland Locations: Green Plains, U.S, Green, There's

Agriculture has suffered losses of over $25 billion since the war began, Ukrainian grain trader association UGA estimates. Ukraine's grain exports so far in the 2023/24 season that started in July are running 28% below the year-earlier volume, according to agriculture ministry data. A new Black Sea shipping channel may offer a lifeline, like for Ukraine's depleted steel industry. An additional 943,000 tons should leave from Black Sea ports and 464,000 tons from the Danube by the month-end. A Russian missile strike on port infrastructure in Odesa on Nov. 21 added to a series of attacks on Ukraine's Black Sea and Danube grain ports.

Persons: Stringer, Jean, Francois Lepy, Dmitry Skornyakov, Denys Marchuk, Skornyakov, Yuriy Stelmakh, Roman Gorobets, Soliman, Scott Wellcome, Pavel Polityuk, Gus Trompiz, Nigel Hunt, David Evans Organizations: REUTERS, Agriculture, UGA, Spike, Agrarian Council, FE ASTRA, Kremlin, Mediterranean, Thomson Locations: Ukraine, Zaporizhzhia region, PARIS, Russia, UN, Geneva, Black, Russian, Odesa, Romania's Constanta, Brazil, Egypt, GoodMills, Kyiv, Paris, London

☆ Why apple prices plunged in October
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( Danielle Wiener-Bronner | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

But apple prices plunged 7.9%. A Goldilocks year for applesIn general, apple prices dip in the fall, because that’s when they’re harvested and flood the market. An apple orchard near Leavenworth, Washington state. “We have a lot of volume, but I don’t know if we’re gonna be making any money this year.”Though gas prices have fallen, apple farmers have other rising costs, including labor. To cope with rising costs and improve sustainability, many farmers have been making adjustments to how they operate, said Todd Fryhover, president of the Washington Apple Commission, which promotes the state’s apple industry.

Persons: it’s, ”, Chris Gerlach, ” Gerlach, “, Jon DeVaney, Gerlach, Lynsee Gibbons, we’ve, Association’s DeVaney, …, Craig Campbell, Campbell, DeVaney, “ I’ve, Jonathan Haines, Todd Fryhover, “ We’re, “ They’re Organizations: New, New York CNN, Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Apple Association, Gro Intelligence, Tree Fruit Association, USDA, “, ” Farmers, Harmony Orchards, Washington Apple Commission Locations: New York, United States, India, Leavenworth , Washington, Washington, Turkey, Iran, Ukraine, Russia, East, South Asia, Yakima, Wenatchee

☆ The USDA's new plant zone map could change how you garden, including when and what you grow
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( Grace Eliza Goodwin | Jenny Mcgrath | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

According to the new map, central Arkansas shifted half a zone up from zone 7b to zone 8a since the USDA last updated its map in 2012. The 2023 USDA map shows warmer zones in central Michigan, as well as shifts in some Northeastern states. AdvertisementLimitations of the USDA's new plant zone map"The map is a guideline, not a guarantee," Foster wrote, and plants can thrive in several zones. AdvertisementIn the Northwestern US, the 2023 USDA map (left) shows some regions of Montana in new, warmer zones. Sections of the South Central US, including Houston, Texas, and New Orleans, Louisiana, have changed to new zones in the 2023 USDA map (left).

Persons: Megan London, NPR she's, Chris Daly, Daly, Jonathan Foster, The University of Maine's Maine, Foster, you'll, US Department of Agriculture Foster, US Department of Agriculture Daly, " Daly Organizations: USDA, Service, NPR, Better Homes, Gardens, Oregon State University, US Department of Agriculture, North Central, The University of Maine's, The University of Maine's Maine Gardner, Southwestern, Northwestern, South Central Locations: Arkansas, Florida, Montana, Central, Michigan, Northeastern, Omaha , Nebraska, Minnesota, Southwestern US, Maine, Houston , Texas, New Orleans , Louisiana

☆ Cocoa prices hover at 45-year highs as lagging harvests kick off 3rd season of shortages
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( Filip De Mott | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Cocoa prices are hovering around 45-year highs as futures trade over $4,000 per metric ton. Similar factors have also dragged down the supply of sugar, driving its price up. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . Poor weather and dismal harvests have also weighed on commodities such as sugar, driving its price to a high not seen for over a decade. Poor production in India has led to export curbs on the commodity, in the government's bid to keep domestic sugar prices stable.

Persons: —, it's, El Nino Organizations: Bloomberg, Service Locations: Ivory Coast, Ghana, Ivory, West Africa, Europe, Brazil, India

Investors like dividend stocks for their yields, but the equities' returns have been pretty dismal so far this year. "That's what is putting pressure on these [dividend] stocks, or maybe just keeping them from lifting." IPDP YTD line Dividend Performers ETF (IPDP) performance year to date When it comes to specific stocks, Gilreath likes two under-the-radar plays: Brady Corporation and ABM Industries . Brady, which manufacturers identification and health-care products, has a 1.7% dividend yield. Diversification in light of recession risk When it comes to dividends, investors should look for quality rather than quantity.

Persons: That's, Bond, Andrew Graham, Dave Sheaff Gilreath, Gilreath, Morningstar . Brady, Capital's Graham, Graham, Dow, Laura Mattia, Morningstar, George Gagliardi, You'd, I'm Organizations: Investment, Jackson, Capital, Federal Reserve, Brady Corporation, ABM Industries, Dow Inc, Dow, LyondellBasell, Shell, Coromandel Wealth Management, U.S Locations: San Francisco, Indianapolis, Sarasota , Florida, Lexington , Massachusetts

☆ This corn was down to its last two cobs. Now it could help farmers grow food in the climate crisis
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-18 | by ( Jeremy Harlan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

What he saved he delivered to his only Jimmy Red customer two hours down the road in Charleston. “Not only was I counting on it, but High Wire Distilling was absolutely counting on it,” explained Coxe. A local moonshiner – and the last known grower of Jimmy Red corn – had just died, and the family no longer wanted to grow corn for whiskey distilling. Campbell Coxe harvests 50 acres of Jimmy Red corn on his Darlington, South Carolina, farm in September. This year, the distiller used 1.1 million pounds of Jimmy Red corn in its bourbon whiskey production.

Persons: Campbell, Coxe, ”, Red, moonshiners, Jimmy Red, “, sobered, ‘, Jimmy Red’s, Florence, Ted Chewning, Chewning, Campbell Coxe, Peter Frank Edwards, Brian Ward, it’s, Ward, ” Ward, Carolina Gold Rice, Ann Marshall, Scott Blackwell, Marshall, It’s, We’re Organizations: CNN, Hurricane, High, Clemson University, Carolina, Jimmy Locations: Hurricane Florence, Darlington County , South Carolina, Charleston, Florence, Colleton, Darlington, South Carolina, Island , South Carolina, Mississippi, Gulf of Mexico, Charleston , South Carolina

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s ” plant hardiness zone map ” was updated Wednesday for the first time in a decade, and it shows the impact that climate change will have on gardens and yards across the country. One key figure on the map is the lowest likely winter temperature in a given region, which is important for determining which plants may survive the season. It's calculated by averaging the lowest winter temperatures of the past 30 years. Winter temperatures and nighttime temperatures are rising faster than daytime and summer temperatures, Primack said, which is why the lowest winter temperature is changing faster than the U.S. temperature overall. “There are a lot of downsides to the warmer winter temperatures, too,” said Theresa Crimmins, who studies climate change and growing seasons at the University of Arizona and was not involved in creating the map.

Persons: Chris Daly, Richard Primack, ” Primack, Primack, ”, Theresa Crimmins Organizations: WASHINGTON, The U.S . Department, Oregon, Agricultural Research Service, Boston University, University of Arizona, Associated Press Health, Science Department, Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science, Educational Media Group, AP Locations: Boston, The, U.S

☆ There's no Christmas tree shortage this year despite Canada's record wildfire season, 2 experts say
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-17 | by ( Jenny Mcgrath | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Despite the dry, smoky summer, there isn't a Christmas tree shortage, two experts said. While it caused air traffic delays and air-quality issues, it didn't affect this year's crop of Christmas trees, two experts told Business Insider. Past and future tree shortages"There's quite a bit of talk — again, internet and media and so forth — about a Christmas tree shortage," Cregg said. A report in 2014 blamed less demand during the 2008 and 2009 recession for fewer Christmas trees. Fraser firs are one of the most popular species of Christmas trees in the US and face challenges due to climate change.

Persons: Justin G, Whitehill, Bert Cregg, he's, Steve Reiners, —, Cregg, That's, Fraser, Chris Keane, Greg Hann, you've Organizations: Service, North Carolina State University, of Horticulture, Michigan State University, Cornell University, Association, YouTube, Tree Producers Association, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Locations: Michigan, Wisconsin

☆ Hard Hit by Loss of Thai and Palestinian Workers, Israeli Farmers Call for Volunteers
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-14 | by ( Miriam Jordan | More About Miriam Jordan | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Israeli farms, core to the country’s national identity, for years employed Palestinian and Thai workers. “My workers are gone because of the war; I’m panicking,“ said Gabi Swissa, 61, from his farm outside Kadima in central Israel. For decades, he has counted on Palestinians and Thais to plant, harvest and pack strawberries. Volunteers he had expected to help on his farm one day last week had not shown up. Since the outset of the war, he said, farms are lacking at least 15,000 workers.

Persons: Thais, I’m, “, Gabi Swissa, Swissa, ”, Yuval Lipkin Organizations: Volunteers, Ministry of Agriculture Locations: Gaza, Israel

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