Sending money abroad is easy, but is there enough money to send these days?
U.S. economic slowdown, lack of construction jobs and tight border control prevent many immigrants from sending money to their family members in Latin America. From Miami to California, immigrant workers have been unable to make enough money to afford to send some back home. Yet, those left behind depend on the monthly remittances which are their lifeline according to IDB, International Development Bank. The bank conducted a study that showed that the money sent by Mexicans, Haitians, Jamaicans and other immigrants contributes a lot to the home country's GDP.
Standing in front of A Western Union on Miami Beach, I can witness the few immigrants who are dropping by to send money to their family members. Obviously, this small number of people amounts to a large group as it happens all over the country. So far, Western Union, the largest and oldest money-transfer company, indicates that it conducted 168 million consumer-to-consumer money transfers and an additional 405 million consumers-to-business transactions. The average is over a million transfers a day according to a Western Union rep.
Western Union offers three ways to send money: Online, at a location such as this one, and by phone. On the website, one can find out which services are available where. By using a Visa or Mastercard or debit card, one can send money in minutes. Recipients are able to go to any of the 345,000 Western Union locations world wide to claim their money.
Immigrants also use MoneyGram International. MoneyGram offers two services to send money abroad: emoney transfer same day service and emoney economy service.
Some computer users can also use Paypal, an eBay company to send money to family members overseas.
There are other services that can be used too.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Monday, August 4, 2008
Hydroponics Resources and History Over the Ages: Start Growing Your Hydroponics Tomatoes and Vegetables
The term hydroponics was coined in the USA in the early 1930's to describe the growing of plants with their roots suspended in water containing mineral nutrients. Derived from the Greek words for 'water' - hydro and 'to work' - ponos, hydroponics literally means 'working with water'. The definition has gradually become broadened to describe all forms of gardening without soil.
Hydroponic gardens in history date back to the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. The Aztec Indians had a system of growing crops on rafts in shallow lakes, you can still see some of these floating gardens near Mexico City. Developments did not start taking place in Europe until 1699 when Woodward found that he could grow plants in a solution of water to which soil had been added. Liebig, a German scientist, started using nutrient solutions to study the nutritional requirements of plants in the 1850's and was followed by Sachs in 1860 and Knop in 1861 who made studies of nutrient elements in water solutions. They were able to grow plants in nutrient solutions made up from mineral salts eliminating the need for soil.
Research on the nutritional requirements of plants continued through into the 1870's. By 1925 practical applications of hydroponics were being made in the greenhouse industry. The next decade was to see extensive development as researchers became aware of the potential of growing hydroponically. In 1930 Gericke produced the first commercial hydroponic unit in the USA. Later during World War II the American forces in the Pacific grew vegetable crops hydroponically. Developments continued and the commercial use of hydroponics spread throughout the world but it was the development of a system known as N.F.T. by Dr Alan Cooper in the 1970's, along with improved nutritional formulations that made the hydroponic growing of a wide range of plants commercially viable. Since then automatic control systems have become available as well as digital testing equipment which has opened up the field of hydroponics to the home gardener.
Hydroponics has come a long way since the Aztecs. It has become an essential method of growing crops in areas of the World where water is precious and land useless for field growing. Water care and land care is now legislative in many countries in the World, so with sensible, well managed hydroponic crops we can keep producing high quality produce which is environmentally friendly and sustainable for the future.
Hydroponic gardens in history date back to the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. The Aztec Indians had a system of growing crops on rafts in shallow lakes, you can still see some of these floating gardens near Mexico City. Developments did not start taking place in Europe until 1699 when Woodward found that he could grow plants in a solution of water to which soil had been added. Liebig, a German scientist, started using nutrient solutions to study the nutritional requirements of plants in the 1850's and was followed by Sachs in 1860 and Knop in 1861 who made studies of nutrient elements in water solutions. They were able to grow plants in nutrient solutions made up from mineral salts eliminating the need for soil.
Research on the nutritional requirements of plants continued through into the 1870's. By 1925 practical applications of hydroponics were being made in the greenhouse industry. The next decade was to see extensive development as researchers became aware of the potential of growing hydroponically. In 1930 Gericke produced the first commercial hydroponic unit in the USA. Later during World War II the American forces in the Pacific grew vegetable crops hydroponically. Developments continued and the commercial use of hydroponics spread throughout the world but it was the development of a system known as N.F.T. by Dr Alan Cooper in the 1970's, along with improved nutritional formulations that made the hydroponic growing of a wide range of plants commercially viable. Since then automatic control systems have become available as well as digital testing equipment which has opened up the field of hydroponics to the home gardener.
Hydroponics has come a long way since the Aztecs. It has become an essential method of growing crops in areas of the World where water is precious and land useless for field growing. Water care and land care is now legislative in many countries in the World, so with sensible, well managed hydroponic crops we can keep producing high quality produce which is environmentally friendly and sustainable for the future.
The History of Hydroponics Embraces Many Cultures, Groups of People, Individuals and Commercial Farmers
Hydroponics basically means working water ("hydro" means "water" and "ponos" means "labor"). Many different civilizations have utilized hydroponic growing techniques throughout history. As noted in Hydroponic Food Production (Fifth Edition, Woodbridge Press, 1997, page 23) by Howard M. Resh: "The hanging gardens of Babylon, the floating gardens of the Aztecs of Mexico and those of the Chinese are examples of 'Hydroponic' culture. Egyptian hieroglyphic records dating back several hundred years B.C. describe the growing of plants in water." Hydroponics is hardly a new method of growing plants. However, giant strides have been made over the years in this innovative area of agriculture.
Throughout the last century, scientists and horticulturists experimented with different methods of hydroponics. One of the potential applications of hydroponics that drove research was for growing fresh produce in nonarable areas of the world. It is a simple fact that some people cannot grow in the soil in their area (if there is even any soil at all). This application of hydroponics was tested during World War II. Troops stationed on nonarable islands in the Pacific were supplied with fresh produce grown in locally established hydroponic systems. Later in the century, hydroponics was integrated into the space program. As NASA considered the practicalities of locating a society on another plant or the Earth's moon, hydroponics easily fit into their sustainability plans. This research is ongoing.
But by the 1970s, it wasn't just scientists and analysts who were involved in hydroponics. Traditional farmers and eager hobbyists began to be attracted to the virtues of hydroponic growing. A few of the positive aspects of hydroponics include:
* The ability to produce higher yields than traditional, soil-based agriculture
* Allowing food to be grown and consumed in areas of the world that cannot support crops in the soil
* Eliminating the need for massive pesticide use (considering most pests live in the soil), effectively making our air, water, soil, and food cleaner
Commercial growers are flocking to hydroponics like never before. The ideals surrounding these growing techniques touch on subjects that most people care about, such as helping end world hunger and making the world cleaner. In addition to the extensive research that is going on, everyday people from all over the world have been building (or purchasing) their own systems to grow great-tasting, fresh food for their family and friends. Educators are realizing the amazing applications that hydroponics can have in the classroom. And ambitious individuals are striving to make their dreams come true by making their living in their backyard greenhouse, selling their produce to local markets and restaurants.
And now that so many people from so many different walks of life are involved in hydroponics and its associated disciplines (such as aeroponics and aquaponics), progress is coming faster than ever before.
Throughout the last century, scientists and horticulturists experimented with different methods of hydroponics. One of the potential applications of hydroponics that drove research was for growing fresh produce in nonarable areas of the world. It is a simple fact that some people cannot grow in the soil in their area (if there is even any soil at all). This application of hydroponics was tested during World War II. Troops stationed on nonarable islands in the Pacific were supplied with fresh produce grown in locally established hydroponic systems. Later in the century, hydroponics was integrated into the space program. As NASA considered the practicalities of locating a society on another plant or the Earth's moon, hydroponics easily fit into their sustainability plans. This research is ongoing.
But by the 1970s, it wasn't just scientists and analysts who were involved in hydroponics. Traditional farmers and eager hobbyists began to be attracted to the virtues of hydroponic growing. A few of the positive aspects of hydroponics include:
* The ability to produce higher yields than traditional, soil-based agriculture
* Allowing food to be grown and consumed in areas of the world that cannot support crops in the soil
* Eliminating the need for massive pesticide use (considering most pests live in the soil), effectively making our air, water, soil, and food cleaner
Commercial growers are flocking to hydroponics like never before. The ideals surrounding these growing techniques touch on subjects that most people care about, such as helping end world hunger and making the world cleaner. In addition to the extensive research that is going on, everyday people from all over the world have been building (or purchasing) their own systems to grow great-tasting, fresh food for their family and friends. Educators are realizing the amazing applications that hydroponics can have in the classroom. And ambitious individuals are striving to make their dreams come true by making their living in their backyard greenhouse, selling their produce to local markets and restaurants.
And now that so many people from so many different walks of life are involved in hydroponics and its associated disciplines (such as aeroponics and aquaponics), progress is coming faster than ever before.
HomeGrown Hydroponics: The Future is in Hydroponics
What about this company?
Homegrown Hydroponics Inc. was established in 1985 to meet the growing demand of the conscientious consumer and the large number of hydroponics enthusiasts.
Now, with numerous locations throughout North America, Homegrown has evolved into a dynamic company.
Homegrown is the foremost hydroponics group and the company's goal is not only to sell Hydroponics products but to stay on the leading edge of technology in the hydroponics industry. Education is a main issue for this company. Through education and awareness, by providing information about hydroponics, they hope to promote hydroponics plant and vegetable production worldwide... As you know, hydroponics is the only way to grow!
Homegrown Hydroponics Inc. was established in 1985 to meet the growing demand of the conscientious consumer and the large number of hydroponics enthusiasts.
Now, with numerous locations throughout North America, Homegrown has evolved into a dynamic company.
Homegrown is the foremost hydroponics group and the company's goal is not only to sell Hydroponics products but to stay on the leading edge of technology in the hydroponics industry. Education is a main issue for this company. Through education and awareness, by providing information about hydroponics, they hope to promote hydroponics plant and vegetable production worldwide... As you know, hydroponics is the only way to grow!
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