Grapes
Minimum wage hike will hurt California growers
On top of all the other pressures California fruit growers are facing – rising input costs, labor shortages and tightening water supplies – they are now looking at a $2-per-hour hike in the state’s minimum... more »
Crop insurance deadline nears for Michigan growers
USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) reminds Michigan fruit growers interested in buying a new federal crop insurance policy, or making changes to an existing policy, to do so by the Nov. 20 sales closing date.... more »
Farmers’ market sales change the way farm grows fruit
When Ben Wenk came back from college in 2006, he wanted to find a way to contribute to the family business, Three Springs Fruit Farm in Aspers, Pa. When he heard that a new farmers’... more »
Vine size control discussed during viticulture event
Vineyard leaf removal and managing excess vine size are two pivotal operations in high-density grape production. Leaf removal in the fruiting zone is a classical vineyard management practice applied during the summer, from fruit-set to... more »
Michigan growers consider forming tree fruit commission
To pay for research activities, Michigan’s apple, cherry, peach, nectarine and plum industries are pondering the creation of a state tree fruit commission.Supporters of the new commission say it’s become abundantly clear that the funding... more »
Cranberry growers look for ways to trim surplus
Cranberry growers in the United States are battling steep surpluses and declining prices, along with increased competition from Canadian and overseas producers. To offset the imbalances, the U.S. Cranberry Marketing Committee, based in Wareham, Mass.,... more »
Hort center open house scheduled for Aug. 22
The NW Michigan Horticultural Research Center's annual open house is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 22.This year, in addition to an equipment show, the annual wine tasting and dinner, the open house will include a Michigan... more »
Markets connect winemakers, buyers
Farmers’ markets are becoming the latest marketing outlet for the winemakers who are able to offer tastings and sales to prospective customers. In early June, Michigan was preparing to join at least eight other states... more »
Central Valley raisin growers win at Supreme Court
Fresno raisin growers Marvin and Laura Horne, owners of Raisin Valley Farms, and others had been ordered to surrender part of some three million pounds of raisin grapes they grew and had refused to put... more »
Vineyards verified as responsible stewards
Voluntary efforts by a group of Michigan wineries and vineyards to minimize agricultural pollution were recognized recently by Gov. Rick Snyder and agencies involved in administering the program. Representatives from the Michigan Department of Agriculture... 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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