Labor
Washington growers claim H-2A wages are too high
Last month, the minimum wage for thousands of workers in Washington jumped by nearly 5 percent to $12.42 an hour.The new pay raises apply only to a select group of people: foreigners hired as seasonal... more »
Oregon blueberry growers settle with Department of Labor
Two Oregon blueberry farmers who were strong-armed into paying $220,000 rather than risk losing an entire harvest, according to a federal judge, have reached a settlement with the U.S. Department of Labor.Click here to read... more »
New vineyard establishment cost resource published
One of the major categories of wine grapes grown in the Great Lakes region is the hybrid. Developed primarily from European and American parents, these grapes combine favorable wine characteristics with pest tolerance and often... more »
Hard cider: New industry faces shortage of trees, labor
Despite being a very old practice, the making of hard cider is virtually a new industry in the United States. The recent growth in sales has been “staggering,” and the U.S. apple industry as a... more »
Precision agriculture poised for growth
An agricultural engineering professor, in the forefront of high-tech innovation, believes there are significant advantages for specialty crop operators who pursue and adapt precision agriculture technologies. The bottom line – impacted by such trends as... more »
Pruning is more science than art these days
FGN recently asked Jim Schupp, an associate professor of pomology at Penn State University, and Peter Hirst, a professor of horticulture at Purdue University, to answer a few questions via email about winter pruning. You’ll... more »
Vacuum harvester redesigned to be self-propelled
A mechanical harvester that’s been in development for some time has undergone enough tweaks that its designers are nearly ready to bring the machine to the marketplace. Once again this fall, the machine – called... more »
Georgia leads nation in blueberry production
With the tally from the 2014 growing season complete, it's official. Georgia now leads the nation in blueberry production.According to a news release from the University of Georgia, UGA blueberry breeder Scott NeSmith, who is... more »
Current Issue
IFG adds cherry focus to influence industry progression
Growers feel fertilizer, input cost crunch
Research station trees boosted by Michigan group
Grower, researcher look at the viability of FruitScout
Texas vineyard succeeds in hostile growing climate
Farm Market column: Project shows markets are essential businesses
Ag Labor Review column: Heat is on to keep protecting workers on the farm
Notes From the Farm column: Apparel upgrades, reader questions keep one busy
see all current issue »
