Labor
U.S. Labor Department proposes updates to child labor regulations
The U.S. Department of Labor is proposing revisions to child labor regulations that will strengthen the safety requirements for young workers employed in agriculture and related fields. The agricultural hazardous occupations orders under the Fair... more »
Fruit spurred growth of organic farming movement
If the U.S. organic farming movement has a father, many would point to J.I. Rodale. In 1947, Rodale founded what became known as the Rodale Institute to “study the link between healthy soil, healthy food... more »
Mexico opens markets to southern U.S. peaches
The U.S. and Mexican governments have signed an agreement allowing Southern U.S. peaches to be sold in Mexico for the first time in close to two decades. This move opens a potentially huge market for... more »
Big greenhouse project may create 700 jobs
A roughly 250-acre tract in southern Marion County once slated for single-family homes will soon host a slew of houses of a different kind — greenhouses.A partnership of a family of local developers and an... more »
Michigan agribusiness stands to lose 30 percent of work force in next 10 years
The state’s agribusiness industry stands to lose about 30 percent of its current work force in the next five to 10 years as baby boomers retire, the Michigan Agri-Business Association reports. The jobs being vacated... more »
Woodland berry farm fined for using child labor
Owners of a Woodland berry farm were fined $16,000 for employing two children under the age of eleven by the U.S. Department of Labor.Columbia Fruit LLC was caught using child labor during a weekend investigation... more »
Mexico reopens markets to peaches from Southern U.S.
An agreement signed earlier this year by the U.S. and Mexican governments has allowed sweet, juicy Southern peaches to be sold in grocery stores south of the border for the first time in 17 years.Farmers... more »
Farmers fear illegal-labor crackdown
If you buy strawberry Häagen-Dazs ice cream, Steve Sakuma says, there’s an 80 percent chance that you’re going to get his berries, which are grown on some of the richest black soil in America, in... more »
IPM approach thriving, despite threats
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a philosophy that applies the principles of ecology, especially population biology, to the management of pests in agricultural or managed systems. IPM considers the impact of actions taken on farm... more »
CA storage has become staple of the fruit industry
In the past 50 years, the use of controlled atmosphere (CA) storage has become a staple of the fruit industry. It is one of the tools that allow growers and packers to extend the available... 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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