Fruits
Winter blast prompts Florida officials to push for USDA disaster assistance
The ongoing winter blast hitting the southeast has prompted Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson to request a disaster declaration and assistance for specialty crop growers throughout the state. Simpson wrote a letter to USDA... 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 »
New on-demand webinar explores labor challenges and opportunities for growers
Labor challenges continue to create uncertainty for specialty crop operations, and rules are changing fast. A new on-demand labor roundtable webinar from Fruit Growers News sister publication Greenhouse Product News brings together leading experts to... more »
Farm labor outlook improves, H-2A wage rules stabilize
There’s a pair of ag labor wins that farm employers can feel good about heading into 2026. That’s according to attorney Chris Schulte with the Fisher Phillips law firm. Schulte told attendees at the Southeast... more »
California pear growers seek trade relief as Argentine imports surge
California pear growers say a surge of low-priced pear imports from Argentina is threatening the survival of the state’s historic pear industry. According to a press release from California Pears, industry leaders are in discussions... more »
U.S. Apple joins farm groups in letter to Congress detailing farm economic crisis as losses mount
A large contingent of specialty crop organizations — including the U.S. Apple Association, International Fresh Produce Association, Georgia and Florida Fruit and Vegetable Associations, Organic Trade Association and the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance —... 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 »
Cherry Industry Administrative Board seeks 2026 board member nominees
The Cherry Industry Administrative Board (CIAB) is seeking nominees for a Public Alternate position on its board, according to a release from the company. This position is for a three-year term beginning June 1, 2026,... more »
California Avocado Commission confirms farmer Rachael Laenen as first female chair
The California Avocado Commission (CAC) recently conducted Board of Directors elections. Rachael Laenen, who has served on the CAC board since November 2020, has been confirmed as the commission's first-ever woman chairperson, according to a... more »
Meet the new ag storytellers
Scroll through social media today, and you’re just as likely to land in a potato field or apple orchard as you are on a cooking reel or vacation video. That’s no accident. A growing number... 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 »
