Equipment
Workers claim racial bias in farms’ hiring of immigrants
For years, labor unions and immigrant rights activists have accused large-scale farmers, like those harvesting sweet Vidalia onions here this month, of exploiting Mexican guest workers. Working for hours on end under a punishing sun,... more »
Edgewood Bogs sustains success in cranberries
Taking a lean and green approach in operating Edgewood Bogs has paid dividends for cranberry growers Matt and Cindy Rhodes. The couple purchased the operation, in the heart of southeastern Massachusetts’ “Cranberry Country,” from Matt’s... more »
Beekeepers blame neonicotinoids for bee deaths
Recent research has suggested that neonicotinoid insecticides – used throughout the world to protect corn, soybeans, cotton, canola and other major crops – are harming pollinators. Because of that, the use of neonicotinoids is being... more »
High-density system can increase pear yields
Terence Robinson, a professor of horticulture at Cornell University, has studied apples for decades, but lately he’s been “somewhat enthused” about the potential of pears, especially in the eastern United States. Robinson discussed high-density pears... more »
Talkin’ Shop: What’s your take on organic farming?
Editor's note: This is a complete list of the responses to the Talkin' Shop question on page 55 of the May 2013 issue of FGN. Organic chemicals, if not handled or applied correctly, can cause... more »
Deadline debate continues for FSMA
Two days after a federal judge ruled that FDA is taking too long to implement new food safety regulations, the agency officially extended the comment periods on a pair of rules contained in the wide-reaching... more »
Ag community voices support for immigration proposal
A recent agreement between agriculture, labor and Congressional interests is being hailed as a key step in achieving comprehensive immigration reform – reform that includes long-sought provisions essential to growers.The Border Security, Economic Opportunity and... more »
Delaware fruit farm survives by adapting
T.S. Smith & Sons in Bridgeville, Del., is going on 106 years – one of the few surviving apple growers in the state. Seventy-five years ago, there were 92 apple growers in Delaware. Today, there... more »
Labor shortages force growers to get creative
Back in the 1990s, cherry growers in the Hood River area of Oregon could see a labor shortage looming. “Here in the Pacific Northwest, of course, we use mostly Mexican laborers, and there have been,... more »
Washington harvests record apple crop
For Washington state’s apple growers, 2012 turned out to be a record year. According to industry estimates, they harvested 129 million bushels of fresh apples last fall – smashing the previous record of 109 million... more »
Current Issue
Advancing research in biocontrols
Inflation, farm input costs shape farm market prices
Great Bear Vineyards’ organic journey
Organic Grower: Field Watch
A win for farmers
Business: Improve the odds
Farm Market & Agritourism: markups vs. margins
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