Michigan
Harvests start with high hopes for apple season
Apple growers in Washington, Michigan and New York are optimistic for the 2023-24 fresh apple season. With weather described as “near-perfect,” Washington dodged the heat and cold from the past two seasons. The U.S. Apple... more »
Michigan offers $3.6 million to fight invasive species
Michigan’s Invasive Species Grant Program is now accepting proposals for the 2023 funding cycle, with an anticipated $3.6 million available to applicants. The program — a joint effort of the Michigan departments of Natural Resources;... more »
Naturipe blueberry production hits summer supplies
Ahead of National Blueberry Month — July — Naturipe Farms is kicking off the summer season with promotable volumes of its flavorful blueberries from New Jersey, Michigan and the Pacific Northwest. Following a strong start... more »
Varieties, pests, to be discussed at MSU Blueberry Pre-harvest Meeting
Michigan State University (MSU) Extension and Michigan Farming Systems will discuss blueberry varieties, pest control and other issues at the 2023 Blueberry Pre-harvest Meeting. The event will be from 1 to 4 p.m. Eastern June... more »
Mitigate blueberry heat damage with overhead irrigation
Michigan’s blueberry industry has been increasingly affected by climate change with spring heatwaves, long dry periods and heavy rains all causing a potential for yield losses. To illustrate this, in February-March 2012 daily high temperatures... more »
MBG, UF develop late-season Georgia blueberries
Berry Blue LLC, an MBG Marketing subsidiary, has signed a seven-year, multi-million-dollar partnership with the University of Florida (UF) blueberry breeding program. The agreement will allow members of the MBG Marketing grower cooperative in Georgia... more »
Water access essential to Michigan’s fruit industry
The letter said the irrigation well permit application was denied because water wasn’t available. I shook my head and looked at my Fitbit. Yep, it was 2023. I was in Michigan and not in western... more »
Engelsma family claims 7th cider contest win
Engelsma’s Apple Barn of Walker, Michigan, won first place at the 24th annual Michigan Apple Cider Contest, marking their seventh first place win in the contest. The competition was on Dec. 7 at DeVos Convention... more »
Distinguished: Michigan apple grower, Extension specialist lauded
The Michigan State Horticultural Society has chosen a fifth-generation apple grower and a Michigan State University (MSU) senior Extension tree fruit specialist for its annual award recipients. Steve Thome, who operates Thome Orchards near Comstock... more »
Tart cherry industry seeks brand protections
The U.S. tart cherry industry has seen significant changes in its marketing landscape in the past decade, with imports overshadowing the domestic supplies some years in the wake of weather events that limited production. Now... more »