Peaches

USDA releases $2 billion for specialty crops growers disaster recovery

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has introduced programs designed to help specialty crop growers recover from natural disasters, including a trio of hurricanes that this fall struck the Southeast. The new programs are also developed... more »

The Gingerichs’ journey to organic farming

Farming has always been home to Luke and Annie Gingerich. The couple has turned that lifelong love into a successful organic peach growing operation in Colorado. As both had grown up on farms, the couple... more »

IFTA members gain grove insights, view Central Valley tech and orchard practices

During the California’s Central Valley tour, participants in the International Fruit Tree Association’s 2024 event viewed a variety of fruit tree training, pruning and harvesting methods. The orchard bus tour showed how growers are more... more »

Spotted lanternfly detected in Georgia

An invasive and destructive insect pest, spotted lanternflies (SLF), has been discovered in Georgia. The Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) has received confirmation from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) made the first detection of... more »

Heat produces uneven California fall organic fruit supply

An inconsistent supply of fall organic fruit is expected this year. Stephen Paul of Homegrown Organic Farms (HGO) in Porterville, California, said the record heat that scorched the valley from spring to fall took its... more »

UF studies crop fertilization rates

The University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) has long studied crop fertilization rates. In 2022, state funding made it possible for the UF/IFAS Nutrient Management Program (NMP) to begin scrutinizing long-established fertilization... more »

Titan Farms, a southeast peach powerhouse, tests soil, combats pests and disease

Monitoring soil health and protecting its peaches from pests and diseases are big challenges for Titan Farms, a leading Southeastern grower. Titan Farms’ Chalmers Carr has been growing peaches since he... more »

Dole prepares for new organic fruit demand from Gen Y & Z

Dole Food Co. is working to attract younger generations to the organic produce segment. Dole , one of the first global fruit and vegetable providers to predict the first organic food craze in 2000, is... more »