Archives: News
House passes farm bill by 224-200 vote; fight awaits in Senate
A day after negotiations stalled over issues including a fuel fracas, the U.S. House passed its farm bill by a 224-200 vote.
Organic cider orchard field day offered for growers
Join OSU Extension and the Oregon Organic Coalition on May 7 for an immersive orchard tour covering pest management, soil health and organic production practices.
Robotic gripper senses ripeness and harvests fruit without bruising
Read more about how the Cornell-designed soft robotic gripper uses touch sensing to identify ripeness at harvest.
Ag aviation group warns of rising drone safety risks
Learn how drone operators can stay safe and help keep agricultural aviators safe during the 2026 growing season.
Deadline extended: USDA moves SDRP due date to Aug. 12
Disaster relief payments for 2023–24 losses increase to 70% coverage. Growers are encouraged to check eligibility and submit or update applications by Aug. 12.
Farm Market Fridays: Butler’s Orchard talks challenges, wins
Butler’s Orchard shares how its events and pick-your-own experiences drive year-round success. Find out what keeps customers coming back.
Where it’s made: Oxbo opens harvester factory in Western New York
Oxbo is opening a new manufacturing facility in Bergen focused on designing and building equipment for specialty crop farmers.
USDA opens $27.7M in grants for farmers markets, direct-to-consumer programs
Eligible operators and food businesses should review requirements and apply via Grants.gov by June 5, 2026.
2026 GPS datum shift: specialty crop grower checklist
Precision matters. Learn how an upcoming GPS change could affect your crop rows, beds and long-term data, and how to prepare now.
Corteva outlines leadership for two companies in planned split
The move separates Corteva’s crop protection and seed businesses into focused companies with distinct leadership and strategies.
How Arkansas scientists harnessed predictive models to improve future grape varieties
Read more to see how predictive science could reshape the future of grape production and agricultural innovation.
Weather expert: apple blossoms at risk during upcoming cold stretch
A brief warm-up is advancing apple bloom just as subfreezing temperatures approach. Growers should prepare for potential frost impacts through early next week.
Meet the 2026 U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council board members, new chair
A new slate from across the blueberry supply chain has been appointed to three-year terms. Find out who will help drive industry priorities.
MSU: grower’s guide for pollinator health during fruit tree bloom
Minimize pesticide exposure and support bee health with targeted stewardship practices. See what changes can have the biggest impact.
How to apply: specialty crop growers can tap into $100M+ in USDA grants
Apply through your state department of agriculture or Grants.gov before the June 8 and October 2026 deadlines.
New hire: Sym-Agro taps Adam Cholakian to lead Southern California sales
Learn how Sym-Agro is strengthening its sales team and advancing sustainable crop solutions in California.
Survey: U.S. fertilizer situation messy as low availability, high prices deliver big blow to farmer pockets
Nearly six in 10 farmers report worsening finances, reflecting rising fertilizer and fuel costs during spring planting. See the latest data.
