http://stationerytrendsmagazine.com/index.php/news en dsigler@greatamericanpublish.com Copyright 2012 Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:58:22 GMT http://fruitgrowersnews.com/index.php/news/release/will-warm-winter-hurt-growers/ http://fruitgrowersnews.com/index.php/news/release/will-warm-winter-hurt-growers/#id:15918#date:17:58 Pennsylvania’s Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow Thursday, traditionally meaning another six weeks of winter. Alabama, however, has experienced a winter like no other. In addition to an unusually wet season, a combination of a La Nina pattern and positive North Atlantic Oscillation phases have also kept cold temperatures in Canada, bringing spring-like temperatures to southern states. The soggy winter has also fooled certain plants and animals into thinking spring has sprung. Tim Harper of White Dove Nursery said he’s noticed plants beginning to bud, which means more work because they have to be trimmed back.… Fruit Growers News, Spudman, Vegetable Growers News Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:58 GMT http://fruitgrowersnews.com/index.php/news/release/labor-dept.-backs-off-new-limit-on-child-farm-labor/ http://fruitgrowersnews.com/index.php/news/release/labor-dept.-backs-off-new-limit-on-child-farm-labor/#id:15917#date:17:55 The U.S. Department of Labor has reversed course on a proposed rule that would have limited the sorts of work children are allowed to perform on farms. The agency said it will release a new proposal by summer. The department's action shows the agency listened to farmer complaints, said U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. Minnesota Farmers Union President Doug Peterson said the original language would have restricted children's work on farms owned by relatives or neighbors. "I think they backed off," Peterson said. "In the face of what I would call a lot of serious… Fruit Growers News, Spudman, Vegetable Growers News Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:55 GMT http://fruitgrowersnews.com/index.php/news/release/narba-awards-clark/ http://fruitgrowersnews.com/index.php/news/release/narba-awards-clark/#id:15873#date:14:17 At its annual meeting in January, the North American Raspberry & Blackberry Association (NARBA) presented John R. Clark, University of Arkansas professor of horticulture, with its Distinguished Service Award. The award especially honors Clark’s work as a breeder of many of the leading blackberry varieties grown today, including new primocane fruiting types that have the potential to greatly increase both the harvest window for blackberries and the geographic range for commercial production. Blackberry varieties developed by Clark include Ouachita, Natchez, Navajo, Apache, Kiowa, Arapaho, Choctaw and the primocane varieties Prime Jim, Prime Jan and PrimeArk… Fruit Growers News Tue, 31 Jan 2012 14:17 GMT http://fruitgrowersnews.com/index.php/news/release/how-west-michigans-ridge-is-attempting-to-become-a-tourist-destination/ http://fruitgrowersnews.com/index.php/news/release/how-west-michigans-ridge-is-attempting-to-become-a-tourist-destination/#id:15848#date:13:49 Could the Ridge become a tourist destination? The Grand Rapids Press To read more, click here. Fruit Growers News, Vegetable Growers News Mon, 30 Jan 2012 13:49 GMT http://fruitgrowersnews.com/index.php/news/release/labor-department-fines-jorge-castro-farms/ http://fruitgrowersnews.com/index.php/news/release/labor-department-fines-jorge-castro-farms/#id:15831#date:18:25 Federal officials have ordered a California farm labor contractor to pay fines and back wages for what they say are violations of the rights of migrant strawberry pickers at a farm in Salinas. The U.S. Department of Labor announced Wednesday that an investigation into Santa Cruz-based Jorge Castro Farms found the contractor violated a number of federal laws. Sacramento Bee Read more of the story here. Fruit Growers News, Vegetable Growers News Fri, 27 Jan 2012 18:25 GMT http://fruitgrowersnews.com/index.php/news/release/global-warming-seen-as-threat-to-garden-states-cranberry-farms/ http://fruitgrowersnews.com/index.php/news/release/global-warming-seen-as-threat-to-garden-states-cranberry-farms/#id:15818#date:14:55 A sense of urgency pervaded the meeting rooms at the Rutgers' Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, where scientists, business executives, and former governors agreed that global warming poses pressing problems for New Jersey: rising tides, violent storms, health risks, and tougher growing conditions for some signature crops. If the world continues its high-polluting ways, the latest projections suggest some crops suited to current conditions could be under stress sooner rather than later. And if there is one New Jersey crop that is especially vulnerable, it is the cranberry. One of only… Fruit Growers News Thu, 26 Jan 2012 14:55 GMT http://fruitgrowersnews.com/index.php/news/release/farmers-markets-a-growing-trend-in-south-florida/ http://fruitgrowersnews.com/index.php/news/release/farmers-markets-a-growing-trend-in-south-florida/#id:15782#date:15:00 During Florida’s growing season, Margie Pikarsky spends Saturdays harvesting crops like heirloom tomatoes, green beans, arugula and Cleopatra tangerines on her Bee Heaven Farm in Redland. She’s among a small group of South Florida farmers whose produce is in demand to help nourish a growing desire for fresh products coming off local farms instead of the grocery store shelf. Pikarsky’s produce is found Sunday mornings at Pinecrest Gardens Green Market, where she and other farmers calling themselves Redland Organics are among the 50 vendors there. “We’ve been doing this before ‘local’ became a buzzword,” Pikarsky… Fruit Growers News, Vegetable Growers News Mon, 23 Jan 2012 15:00 GMT http://fruitgrowersnews.com/index.php/news/release/organic-crop-insurance-cost-spoils-growth-of-27-billion-market/ http://fruitgrowersnews.com/index.php/news/release/organic-crop-insurance-cost-spoils-growth-of-27-billion-market/#id:15735#date:16:17 Consumer demand for organic foods has helped Uncle Matt’s Organic Inc. grow from 5 acres of oranges in 1999 to become Florida’s biggest organic-citrus producer. Further expansion is being hampered by the federal crop insurance program designed to help farmers, says the company’s founder, Matt McLean. Bloomberg To read more, click here. Fresh Cut, Fruit Growers News, Vegetable Growers News Fri, 20 Jan 2012 16:17 GMT http://fruitgrowersnews.com/index.php/news/release/chairwoman-stabenow-delivers-state-of-michigan-agriculture-address/ http://fruitgrowersnews.com/index.php/news/release/chairwoman-stabenow-delivers-state-of-michigan-agriculture-address/#id:15719#date:19:20 U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, Chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry today delivered an address on the "State of Michigan Agriculture" during the Michigan Agri-Business Association's 79th Annual Winter Conference. Chairwoman Stabenow's address focused on the future of Michigan agriculture and her efforts to strengthen this vital part of Michigan's economy. During the State of Michigan Agriculture Address, Stabenow highlighted agriculture's importance to Michigan economy, noting that agriculture is the second-largest sector of Michigan's economy and is a sector that continues to grow. Overall agriculture contributes more than $71 billion to the… Fresh Cut, Fruit Growers News, Spudman, Vegetable Growers News Thu, 19 Jan 2012 19:20 GMT http://fruitgrowersnews.com/index.php/news/release/michigan-apple-growers-seeking-ok-to-use-antibiotic-to-fight-fire-blight/ http://fruitgrowersnews.com/index.php/news/release/michigan-apple-growers-seeking-ok-to-use-antibiotic-to-fight-fire-blight/#id:15700#date:19:46 According to a story in Jan.16 edition of Great Lakes Echo, Michigan officials are seeking permission to use an unregistered pesticide to fight fire blight on up to 10,000 acres of apples trees. The disease has become resistant to current streptomycin treatments. If approved, the spray-on fungus killer, kasugamycin, would be used to control fire blight, a highly contagious disease that could easily wipe out expanses of Michigan's high-density apple orchards. Some apple varieties are resistant to the disease, but those varieties are not those most preferred by consumers, according to the report. Kalamazoo Gazette Read more of the story here. Fruit Growers News Wed, 18 Jan 2012 19:46 GMT http://fruitgrowersnews.com/index.php/news/release/washington-state-hort.-assc.-opposes-water-bill/ http://fruitgrowersnews.com/index.php/news/release/washington-state-hort.-assc.-opposes-water-bill/#id:15684#date:18:14 At a recent legislative hearing in Olympia, the Washington State Horticultural Association and its lobbyist Jim Halstrom publicly opposed legislation (House Bill 2192) that would provide a relatively small amount of new water to allow apple and tree fruit growers to grow additional acreage of organic tree fruit. House Bill 2192 and its companion bill (Senate Bill 6028) would promote increased production of organic crops and biofuel crops along the Columbia and Snake rivers in Washington State. The bills have received enormous support with 21 co-sponsors in the House and 15 co-sponsors in the Senate.… Fruit Growers News Tue, 17 Jan 2012 18:14 GMT http://fruitgrowersnews.com/index.php/news/release/usda-seeks-nominees-for-national-blueberry-promotion-board/ http://fruitgrowersnews.com/index.php/news/release/usda-seeks-nominees-for-national-blueberry-promotion-board/#id:15654#date:17:01 The USDA is seeking nominations for the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council. The council is composed of 16 members and 16 alternates. Selected nominees would replace seven members and seven alternates whose terms will expire Dec. 31, 2012. The council will hold elections to fill eight seats that represent U.S. regional producers and recommend nominees to fill six seats representing importers, exporters and the public. The U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council meets periodically to review marketing and research activities that benefit the industry. The national program, which became effective in 2000, is industry-funded and supports the national… Fruit Growers News Mon, 16 Jan 2012 17:01 GMT http://fruitgrowersnews.com/index.php/news/release/tarm-labor-firm-cited-for-heat-related-fatality/ http://fruitgrowersnews.com/index.php/news/release/tarm-labor-firm-cited-for-heat-related-fatality/#id:15649#date:14:06 The state agency charged with protecting workers and the public from safety hazards has cited a local farm labor company for what it says is the first confirmed heat-related fatality in 2011. The state Division of Occupational Safety and Health issued citations against two California farm labor contractors — AgPrime Corp. of Los Banos and C. Clunn Consulting of Holtville — following investigations into violations of California’s heat-illness prevention regulations, according to a press release from the state agency. “These incidents, including a tragic death, highlight the need for employers at outdoor worksites to be… Fruit Growers News, Spudman, Vegetable Growers News Mon, 16 Jan 2012 14:06 GMT http://fruitgrowersnews.com/index.php/news/release/valley-cantaloupe-growers-look-to-regain-trust-after-listeria-outbreak/ http://fruitgrowersnews.com/index.php/news/release/valley-cantaloupe-growers-look-to-regain-trust-after-listeria-outbreak/#id:15648#date:14:04 In the wake of last year's deadly food-borne illness outbreak in cantaloupes, California growers are pushing for a statewide food safety program to regain consumer trust. The state, led by Fresno County, is the nation's leading supplier of cantaloupes and has never been linked to a food-borne illness outbreak involving the fruit. But weeks after a Colorado farm was found to be responsible for listeria-tainted melons, the market for cantaloupes plummeted. The multistate outbreak killed 30 people and sickened more than 115 while shutting down California's cantaloupe industry. The state's cantaloupe crop was valued at… Fresh Cut, Fruit Growers News, Vegetable Growers News Mon, 16 Jan 2012 14:04 GMT http://fruitgrowersnews.com/index.php/news/release/growing-discontent/ http://fruitgrowersnews.com/index.php/news/release/growing-discontent/#id:15647#date:13:59 Proposed revisions to federal child-labor regulations are intended to add a layer of safety to farming, one of the country's most hazardous occupations. But critics argue that such restrictions would in fact wound the spirit of the next generation of farmers. Since the U.S. Department of Labor's proposed rules were released in the first week of September, vigorous assessments from the nation's farm bureaus, child-welfare advocates, lawmakers and farmers themselves stretched on for weeks. The initial public comment period was extended for a month to Dec. 1 in part because of the volume of comments… Fruit Growers News, Vegetable Growers News Mon, 16 Jan 2012 13:59 GMT http://fruitgrowersnews.com/index.php/news/release/bill-in-olympia-aims-to-use-students-for-farm-labor/ http://fruitgrowersnews.com/index.php/news/release/bill-in-olympia-aims-to-use-students-for-farm-labor/#id:15646#date:13:58 State Legislators hope to prevent a repeat of last year's farm labor shortage by creating more opportunities for students to take harvesting jobs. Bipartisan legislation announced Friday would authorize the state Board of Education to allow school districts to adjust the 180-day school year in ways that free students to work in agriculture. Rep. Norm Johnson,R-Yakima, one of the prime sponsors of House Bill 2408, said the bill is more a reminder to school districts that they already have the authority to establish a flexible calendar for students to work in agriculture. However, it would… Fruit Growers News, Spudman, Vegetable Growers News Mon, 16 Jan 2012 13:58 GMT http://fruitgrowersnews.com/index.php/news/release/cherry-growers-continue-marketing-order/ http://fruitgrowersnews.com/index.php/news/release/cherry-growers-continue-marketing-order/#id:15615#date:14:22 Washington state sweet cherry growers have voted to continue their federal marketing order, according to USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS). During a November referendum, 92 percent of eligible growers who voted, representing 82 percent of the participating volume, favored continuing the marketing order. A referendum is required once every six years. It passes if two-thirds of the growers voting, or growers who produce two-thirds of the volume of sweet cherries represented in the referendum, vote to continue the order. “The industry’s favorable vote shows that they find value in the marketing order and the opportunities… Fruit Growers News Fri, 13 Jan 2012 14:22 GMT http://fruitgrowersnews.com/index.php/news/release/apple-holdings-greater-than-last-year/ http://fruitgrowersnews.com/index.php/news/release/apple-holdings-greater-than-last-year/#id:15583#date:21:01 According to the U.S. Apple Association, fresh apple holdings on Jan. 1 totaled 82 million bushels, a 4 percent increase from last year. Processing holdings totaled 33.6 million bushels, 7 percent more than last year. The total number of apples in storage on Jan. 1 was 115.6 million bushels, 5 percent above the January 2011 total. Fruit Growers News Tue, 10 Jan 2012 21:01 GMT http://fruitgrowersnews.com/index.php/news/release/advisory-issued-for-honeycrisp-apple-cider/ http://fruitgrowersnews.com/index.php/news/release/advisory-issued-for-honeycrisp-apple-cider/#id:15582#date:19:09 The Minnesota Department of Agriculture has advised consumers to avoid drinking certain Pepin Heights Orchard Honeycrisp-brand apple cider because some of the cider distributed in Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin could have elevated levels of patulin. The affected product -- Pepin Heights Orchard brand Honeycrisp 100 percent fresh-pressed apple cider -- was sold in 64-ounce (half gallon) plastic jugs with a use-by date of Feb. 9. This particular cider should be discarded. No other batch of Honeycrisp cider or any other Pepin Heights Orchards products are included in the advisory. For more information contact the company… Fruit Growers News Tue, 10 Jan 2012 19:09 GMT http://fruitgrowersnews.com/index.php/news/release/farmers-on-defensive-over-stink-bugs/ http://fruitgrowersnews.com/index.php/news/release/farmers-on-defensive-over-stink-bugs/#id:15575#date:15:45 Brian Biggins' life stinks. The Maryland organic farmer's land is suffering from an infestation of stink bugs -- crop-consuming pests emitting the odor of cilantro mixed with burned rubber and dirty socks. The Wall Street Journal To read more, click here. Fruit Growers News, Vegetable Growers News Tue, 10 Jan 2012 15:45 GMT