Apples
October proclaimed Michigan Apple Month
Recognizing the importance of the Michigan apple industry, October is Michigan Apple Month Governor Gretchen Whitmer in Lansing, Michigan, made the proclamation on Oct. 1. “Michigan is known for its diverse agriculture, which includes many... more »
CMI Orchards launches new KIKU apples packaging
CMI Orchards plans to unveil a refreshed look for super sweet KIKU brand apples at the International Fresh Produce Association's Global Produce & Floral Show. This updated look will be implemented across all boxes and... more »
USDA studies steam heat to target pests
Early in 2020, two colleagues in the Treatment and Inspection Methods Laboratory (TIML) of USDA’s Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) program began researching vacuum steam as an alternative for methyl bromide treatment for fresh fruits.... more »
Rice Fruit’s Lee Showalter plans retirement
Lee Showalter, a longtime apple industry advocate, fruit grower and Rice Fruit Company’s grower services manager for more than 13 years, plans to retire at the end of the year. In announcing his retirement, the... more »
Kudos joins the ranks of apples from University of Minnesota
If you enjoy a Honeycrisp, Haralson, SweeTango or First Kiss apple at your local orchard or farm stand this fall, you can thank the University of Minnesota apple breeding program for putting it there. A... more »
Starr Ranch, CMI Orchards unite with apples, pears, cherries
Starr Ranch Growers/Oneonta Trading Co. — which includes Custom Apple, Diamond Fruit and Apple King — has an agreement to join forces with CMI Orchards, delivering more than eight million cartons to CMI’s manifest. This... more »
California’s Murray Family Farms endures challenges
Murray Family Farms, owned by Steve and Vickie Murray, has discovered that growing cherries, berries and other tree fruit in the southern San Joaquin Valley’s desert region is highly challenging. South of Bakersfield, the farm’s... more »
Harvests start with high hopes for apple season
Apple growers in Washington, Michigan and New York are optimistic for the 2023-24 fresh apple season. With weather described as “near-perfect,” Washington dodged the heat and cold from the past two seasons. The U.S. Apple... more »