Cheers to freshness pioneers on National Farmer’s Day.

Imagine biting into an apple that's been sitting on your kitchen counter for days, but it's still as crisp as ever. Sounds like magic, right? Well, thanks to Sylvia Blankenship and Edward Sisler, it's science. 

As we gear up for National Farmer’s Day on Oct. 12, let's chat about these two brilliant minds. They discovered something super cool called 1-methylcyclopropene, but let’s keep it simple and call it 1-MCP. 

Now, this might sound geeky, but 1-MCP is a lifesaver for fruits, veggies, and even those pretty flowers you love. It fights off ethylene, which is like the "aging potion" for produce. Because of 1-MCP, our favorite greens and blooms can stay fresh and fabulous for longer. That means fewer sad, wilted salads and more bright, cheerful daisies. 

And guess what? This discovery is a big win for sellers too. They get more time to sell their produce, and it can travel farther without going bad. 

So, on this National Farmer’s Day, let’s send a big thank-you to Sylvia and Edward. Without them, freshness just wouldn't be the same. 

High costs continue to squeeze farm profits, while federal payments and strong cattle prices provide some relief. David Miller reports on an agricultural lender survey and the risks of relying on continued borrowing to keep farming.