Category: Midwest
Strawberry options: Plasticulture, matted-row production
When I started my job as an Extension specialist at Purdue eight years ago, strawberries were mainly grown as a perennial crop in a matted-row production system in orchards and u-pick farms.
SW Michigan Horticultural Days set for February
The 2024 Southwest Michigan Horticultural Days will feature sessions on sustainability, soil management, pest and disease management and more.
Bill Erwin, Greg Lang honored for Michigan fruit legacies
Two Michigan fruit industry notables who’ve spent the better part of their lives in orchards, Bill Erwin and Greg Lang, have been honored by the Michigan State Horticultural Society (MSHS).
MSU professor receives $4 million grant to study blueberry disease
A scientist at Michigan State University has received a $3.95 million grant from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) to develop strategies for implementing and maintaining effective management practices for blueberry fruit rot.
Hill Brothers Orchards earns Michigan’s top cider award
The 25th winner of the Michigan Apple Cider Contest, Hill Brothers Orchards, has earned the recognition six times.
Michigan crowns Kelley Chase apple queen
Kelley Chase is the 2024 Michigan Apple Queen.
Cranberry Marketing Order suspended in wake of vote
The USDA is no longer collecting assessments from cranberry growers and handlers after they voted to discontinue the Cranberry Marketing Order.
Inaugural Michigan AgriTourism Summit scheduled for May
Michigan Agritourism Summit agritourism agritainment farm markets tourism Michigan State University Extension
Michigan Fruit Ridge growers share strategies
Apple production techniques were shared at three orchards in the Fruit Ridge area near Conklin, Michigan, during the Michigan Pomesters’ 12th annual Ridgefest.
BelleHarvest’s Michigan Fresh Brand expands beyond apples
BelleHarvest vegetables Michigan local bell peppers eggplant celery green beans apples
MSU research center names farm manager
Michael de Schaaf is the new farm manager at the Michigan State University (MSU) Southwest Michigan Research and Extension Center in Benton Harbor.
October proclaimed Michigan Apple Month
Michigan Apple Month Michigan Apple Committee
Purdue Extension offers farm finances webinar
Liz Brownlee of Partners in Food And Farming will lead a virtual lunch and learn on farm finances.
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.
MSU researches drones to control vineyard pests
At the annual Viticulture Field Day in late July at Michigan State University’s (MSU) Southwest Michigan Research and Extension Center in Benton Harbor, winegrape growers assessed autonomous tools for tasks including pest management.
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.
Michigan offers $3.6 million to fight invasive species
Michigan’s Invasive Species Grant Program is now accepting proposals for the 2023 funding cycle, with an anticipated $3.6 million available to applicants.
Midwest food companies offered export assistance
Food Export Association of the Midwest USA Food Export–Midwest exports
Michigan State organic grower training program registration opens
MSU Organic Farmer Training Program Michigan State University Department of Horticulture soil health water pests disease
U.S. apple crop forecast at 256 million bushels
The U.S. apple crop for 2023-24 is expected to top 256 million 42-pound bushels, according to the U.S. Apple Association.