News

Eckert’s to host Illinois Summer Horticultural Field Day in June

The Illinois State Horticultural Society has announced the annual Summer Horticulture Field Day at Eckert’s Belleville Farm in Belleville, Illinois. The Eckert family is proud to invite guests to tour their farm and agritainment operation on Thu... more

Organic fresh produce sales up 4% in Q1 2022

Total organic fresh produce sales for the first quarter of 2022 increased by 4% from the same period last year, topping $2.3 billion for the quarter, according to the Q1 2022 Organic Produce Performance Report released exclusively by Organic Produce ... more

Importation of peach live dormant stem cuttings from Spain viewed

The government of Spain has requested USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to authorize the importation of peach (Prunus persica) live dormant stem cuttings for planting from Spain into the continental United States. USDA's Animal and... more

Would blueberries benefit from more nitrogen?

It is soon time to apply nitrogen fertilizer to blueberries. Urea or ammonium sulfate are the recommended materials. Use urea if your soil pH is in the recommended range of 4.5 to 5.0 and use ammonium sulfate if pH is greater than 5.0 or if you have ... more

Russian River water curtailment likely to continue in California

Due to ongoing drought and a limited water supply, farmers and ranchers in Mendocino and Sonoma counties, California, are awaiting adoption of an amended emergency order that would extend last year's curtailment of water rights in the Russi... more

California farm labor survey can gather stories, impact policy

From the Industrial Revolution to the Great Recession, labor markets and the nature of employment itself have been greatly altered during periods of both historical growth and stagnation. In early 2020, the world experienced a similar era-defining... more

Help sought for California farms impacted by illegal dumping

Illegal dumping on private lands in rural communities is an issue that has plagued farmers and ranchers for many years. Old mattresses, sofas, appliances, tires and household garbage are routinely discarded along roadways, causing an unsightly mes... more