specialty crops
Ark Foods introduces mini watermelons
Ark Foods, the modern-day farming company on a mission to showcase the magic of vegetables, is expanding into fruit with a pilot project for watermelons. The company has a trial of four specialty watermelon varieties,... more »
Conference focuses on Kentucky specialty crops
Registration for the Kentucky Fruit & Vegetable Conference is open. The event is Jan. 3-4, in Bowling Green, Kentucky, with pre-conference events the day before. The full conference program and registration information are available on... more »
Bill seeks protections for specialty crop exports
U.S. senators and representatives have introduced legislation designed to help farmers fight trade barriers to sell specialty crops in export markets. The Specialty Crops Reporting on Opportunities and Promotion Act (Specialty CROP Act), introduced on... more »
USDA appoints specialty crops industry members to ag advisory committees
The USDA and U.S. Trade Representative’s Office have appointed 130 representatives to serve four-year terms on seven agricultural trade advisory committees, including the Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee for Trade in Fruits and Vegetables. There are... more »
Webinar: How to address ag trade deficit through Farm Bills
An agricultural trade deficit is increasing as the U.S. grows less and imports more fresh produce and other crops. New research reveals how many acres it would take to balance the U.S. agricultural trade deficit... more »
Conserving water: Group defines Farm Bill irrigation needs
Conservation programs have long been a key part of farm bills over the years, and the 2023 Farm Bill will be no different. The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance (SCFBA) has established five core principles... more »
Specialty crop growers join USDA in climate initiative
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is awarding up to $2.8 billion in a massive initiative with 70 projects – 15 of them involving fruit, vegetable and other specialty crops – to address climate change. The... more »
USDA awards $73 million in specialty crop grants
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is awarding almost $73 million in fiscal year 2022 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program funding. The $72.9 million in grants, through the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service, will be used for... more »
Michigan Specialty Crop Block Grant Program seeks input
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) Oct. 30 announced an opportunity to comment on the Michigan Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. To ensure effective priorities for the grant program, MDARD is asking... more »
Michigan awards specialty crop grants to 17
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) Oct. 18 announced 17 recipients in the state would receive more than $1.5 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. [caption... more »