Fruit Growers News

Health Care Rules

President Obama and Congress revamped the U.S. health care system in March. You might have heard about it. There’s a lot of information – and a lot of opinions – swirling around regarding how things are going to change. You’re probably wondering how all of it is going to affect you, not just as an individual but as an employer – an employer of a highly mobile, seasonal work force. Well, some of the measures that will affect you as an individual – and your family – will take effect later this year, including the ability to carry children on your insurance plan to age 26, the elimination of annual and lifetime coverage caps on insurance plans and the elimination of dropping coverage due to illness. For employers, here are a couple of tidbits from a summary of the new health care rules put together by the…  » Read more

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Report on Migrant Housing, Working Conditions Sparks Controversy

When the Michigan Civil Rights Commission released a report in March on the living and working conditions of migrant and seasonal workers in Michigan, it caused quite a stir. The report, which features testimony from several migrant workers, is a very critical assessment of migrant worker conditions in the state. The report claims that farm workers are being forced to live in sub-standard housing conditions, including structural defects, overcrowding, close proximity to pesticides and poor sanitation. This brings an increased risk of diseases due to poor sanitation. Another issue is the lack of funding and staffing for the state Migrant Labor Housing Program. The report also points out discrimination against migrant workers because of familial status. Sexual harassment and discrimination against female workers also is pointed out. Theft of farm worker earnings due to different pay structures and minimum wage violations, the use of child labor and…  » Read more

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Terence Robinson: The Future for Orchards is Tall Spindle

Terence Robinson, an applied fruit crop physiologist with Cornell University, wants to help growers find the most cost-effective way to run their orchards. His recommendation: a high-density, tall spindle system. “A low-density orchard will never catch up to a high-density orchard system,” he said, “even though density production eventually levels out to some extent.” Robinson doesn’t hesitate when he recommends the tall spindle system. “If you plant 900 to 1,300 trees per acre with 3 to 4 foot spacing between trees, and you manage those trees, you will maximize profitability for your orchard,” he said. Just what is a tall spindle system? Briefly, Robinson said, the grower plants 9- to 12-feet-tall, highly branched (feathered) trees with 3- to 4-foot spacing between them. There should be 10 to 13 feet between rows. Branches are trained to bend below horizontal for ease of management. There will be no permanent scaffold…  » Read more

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