By Region
Urban water use is latest target for drought cutbacks
With farmers across California already facing severe cuts in irrigation supplies, state officials are now imposing additional aggressive conservation measures for urban consumers and local water agencies across the state. Emergency regulations, adopted May 24... more »
Delmarva strawberry crop kicking into gear
In our region, commercial strawberries are grouped in two classes based on their flowering habit: those that flower and fruit mostly once in the spring and those that continue to flower and fruit as long... more »
USDA opens container assistance program amid shipping woes
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture will begin accepting applications for the Commodity Container Assistance Program (CCAP) as the lack of containers adds to supply chain issues. The CCAP currently... more »
Weather-related damage lowers California blueberry crop
California blueberry harvest is in full swing, and some growers are picking a smaller crop this year after losing fruit to spring frost and hail. The California Blueberry Commission estimates farms will produce 55 million... more »
Michigan lawmakers ask Congress to address fertilizer cost, supply
Michigan legislators have approved resolutions calling on Congress to address fertilizer price increases and shortages. Inflation and supply chain issues have led to rising costs and lack of availability of some fertilizers. On May 25,... more »
Grapevine pest found in California wine county
Napa County, California, agricultural officials are asking growers to be alert after a single adult western grapeleaf skeletonizer, a “voracious” eater of grape leaves, was found in a major wine production area. The pest was... more »
President Biden appoints rural development state director for California
President Joe Biden appointed Maria Herrera as USDA state director of rural development for California on May 19. Maria Gallegos Herrera is a proud daughter of farmworker parents who grew up in the rural agricultural... more »
NC State aims to grow a better strawberry
Chances are, that deep red, plump, ripe strawberry bursting with flavor that you picked fresh off the plant at your local farm was a Chandler. Or possibly a Camarosa. In a couple of years, it... more »