The apps say heavy rain, but apps ain't always right, and farmers more than anyone are used to the whims of the weather gods. Rose and Ruth, the farm's chief growers, decide to keep calm and carry on. When I arrive, their optimism appears to have paid off. The clouds are low and grey, but it's not actually raining. I walk past the Caractacus Potts-style compost loo and along the grassy path between the veg beds where a scarecrow stands guard in a red jumper.
Santa Rosa 9-year-old Nicholas Bard is a walking encyclopedia of honeybee facts. A colony needs 30 to 60 pounds of honey to survive each winter. The average lifespan of bees is about two weeks. And individuals hold distinct jobs, from cleaners to foragers, during their life cycle. Nicholas knows how much bees contribute to California's agricultural economy and the alarming rate at which the population is declining.
Some foreign shippers are suspending US package deliveries, as a customs tax exemption for low-value goods comes to an end this Friday. Also, a look at the status of the Russian mercenary force Wagner Group's operations in Mali. And, new mouth guards with flashing lights may be able to alert rugby players of potential concussions. Plus, Istanbul's free public orchard allows visitors to pick their own produce.
