Midwest
Michigan Agritourism Convention marks 20th anniversary with education, farm tours
Michigan’s agritourism community will gather March 10–11, 2026, at the Bavarian Inn Lodge in Frankenmuth as the Michigan Agritourism Association marks the 20th anniversary of its annual statewide convention. The 2026 Michigan Agritourism Convention will... more »
USDA, MSU develop dual-arm fruit picking robot to drive harvest efficiency
USDA-ARS researchers, in collaboration with Michigan State University, are testing a dual-arm fruit harvesting robot to enhance harvest efficiency. According to a post on aglab.ars.usda.gov, the new robot demonstrated up to a 34% improvement in... more »
How cold is too cold? MSU experts say tree fruit buds should be safe
A notable cold snap is in the forecast this weekend across the Upper Midwest, Mid-Atlantic and the South. In some northern geographies, overnight lows will approach or even exceed -10° F. Understandably, this has raised... more »
Spray drones: best practices for specialty crop use
Seeking to improve efficiencies, growers are turning to county Extension agents and university researchers to learn more about using drones for spraying and other chores in fields, orchards and vineyards. While drones can supply aerial... more »
AppleTracker: Holdings reach 147 million bushels as fresh stocks fall and processing supplies grow
USApple’s January 2026 AppleTracker report just came in fresh off the presses, and it shows that U.S. fresh-market apple holdings on Jan. 1 totaled 100 million bushels (7% decline YOY). The same data showed the... more »
Agritourism, organic and tech: 6 key themes from the 2025 Great Lakes EXPO
There’s no doubt Michigan is a hotbed of specialty crop production. A recent study coauthored by the Michigan Vegetable Council and Michigan State University confirms as much, saying the state today hosts over 3,000 fruit... more »
Blueberry legacy: Tawas Blueberry Farm remains a staple of its community
A northeast Michigan farm on the Lake Huron shores has been growing blueberries for more than seven decades. Tawas Blueberry Farm in Tawas City was originally known as Czaika’s Blueberry Farm until the Payne family... more »
Michigan researchers flag rising grape risks
Tim Miles was tasked with discussing grape diseases that are difficult to control and assuring growers that these problems can be better understood through diagnostic testing services. Miles, associate professor for the Small Fruit and... more »
Current Issue
FIRA USA 2025: Robots redefine specialty crop farming
Inside Pandol’s success: How a multigenerational California grower leads in table grapes
Spray drones: best practices for specialty crop use
Farm Market and Agritourism: Strategies to attract today’s farm market shoppers
Ag Labor Review: Taking the reins — a new era for agriculture
see all current issue »
