Fruits
Vacciplant Plant Defense stimulant receives regulatory approval in California
The California Department of Pesticide Regulation (CDPR) has granted approval for Vacciplant Plant Defense Stimulant for use in lettuce and grapes. The state's growers now have access to a natural extract that stimulates the crop's natural... more »
Investment, need drive in-soil strawberry harvester
Investment, a groundbreaking “commercialized” strawberry harvest and swelling grower interest add up to a good year for Advanced Farm Technologies (AFT). The Davis, California-based company’s T-6 robotic strawberry harvester is one of just a handful... more »
Veganic fruit grower featured in Fridays on the Farm
Vermont's Arbor Farmstead was recently featured in the USDA's weekly Fridays on the Farm series. Arbor Farmstead growers Alisha Utter and Kyle Bowley grow strawberries, cane berries, other annual fruit crops and winter greens in... more »
USHBC appoints three to serve on committees
U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) has appointed three influential leaders with decades of experience in the blueberry industry to its committees. Appointed to the USHBC Promotion Committee are John Johnston, senior director of blueberry product... more »
Maine’s ‘own Apple Whisperer’ honored
Northeast grower John Bunker was recently hailed as Maine’s own “Apple Whisperer” for his work preserving old apple cultivars. Maine Governor Janet Mills and Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Commissioner Amanda Beal honored Bunker... more »
Respirators at wine estate wedding show growers’ hazard
The viral photo of a bride and groom wearing respirators in a smoky vineyard is a window into a common workplace issue for winegrapes growers and their staff. The photo, taken by KMR Photography’s Karna... more »
Naturipe donates $20K to veterans’ charity
Major berry brand Naturipe Farms recently donated $20,000 to the Gary Sinise Foundation in honor of their partnership through Naturipe's Growing Gratitude campaign. From Memorial Day through Independence Day, Naturipe Farms pledged to donate $1... more »
Virtue Cider installs 200 solar panels at orchard
Virtue Cider, a Michigan-based cidermaker recently installed a 78-kilowatt (kW) solar array next to its cider houses. The new installation means half of its purchased electricity will be coming from renewable sources and is equivalent... more »