Matt Milkovich is an associate editor at Good Fruit Grower magazine. Based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Milkovich expands our coverage of the Eastern U.S. fruit growing regions and provides a perspective from east of the Mississippi.
Milkovich earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Michigan State University and served as the former managing editor of Fruit Growers News and Vegetable Growers News, where he worked for more than 12 years. He also worked as a communications manager at MSU and as managing editor of a trade magazine covering the manufactured housing industry.
With a self-professed fondness for writing about farming — and especially fruit — Milkovich brings a depth of experience and enthusiasm for our industry.
Phone: 616-633-5669 — Email
My Recent Articles
Preserving pears is a profitable partnership
How Gerber/Nestle is helping maintain Michigan industry.
Courts uphold Michigan farmworker testing order
On Sept. 9, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan approved dismissal
Federal grant will help MSU study fire blight control
Fire blight, seen here on apple tree branches, can hinder apple and pear yields and
Cornell releases three new apple varieties
Cornell AgriTech’s apple breeding program has released three new varieties. In a Sept. 2 news
Quince comparisons — Video
Several dwarfing rootstocks for pears show promise in trial, but more study still needed.
Apple Outlook, Day 2: 2020 crop down 3 percent from last year
The 2020 USApple estimate is 253.3 million bushels, very close to the USDA estimate, as
Apple Outlook, Day 1: Speakers talk messaging and crop sizes
The 2020 Apple Crop Outlook & Marketing Conference is being held online Aug. 20–21. The
Fruit breeder David Cain honored for industry contributions
David Cain The American Pomological Society awarded the 2020 Wilder Medal, its highest honor, to
A long and fruitful fruition for Apple Vacuum System
After years of collaboration, testing and improvements, vacuum harvest system nearly ready for mass production.
U-pick in a pandemic
Farms test new safety measures before busy season begins in fall.
Industry eyeing apples aplenty
Trade wars, pandemic are responsible for too much fruit in storage.
Michigan fruit group focuses on innovation at field day
Randy Kober describes his experiences with a plant-in-place block of Honeycrisp during RidgeFest 2020, the
Spotting alternative controls for SWD
Spotted wing drosophila project looks beyond chemical controls for blueberries.
When research grows sideways
Michigan State University assistant professor is studying the genetics of tree architecture.
Ode to Joys
New peaches from the USDA Agricultural Research Service could fill critical harvest window.
For promising peaches, it’s time to grow
Grant to help accelerate MSU breeding program by putting cultivars in commercial orchards.
USDA agrees apple growers qualify for CFAP funds
The U.S. Department of Agriculture issued a correction to its Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP)
Pandemic packing pivot
Fruit warehouses across the U.S. adjust practices to continue shipping amid the coronavirus.
Ludacrisp gaining speed
Growers planting Midwest Apple Improvement Association’s second-most popular variety in greater numbers.
Red flesh for red ciders
Michigan State University program focused on varieties for juice.
Make your crop load count
Results from Michigan trial show promise for bud load pruning.
A no-shake take for tart cherries
Growers experiment with over-the-row machines and growing high density in tart cherry orchards.
Sweet cherry consolidation
Michigan growers adjust to changing markets.
2020 USApple Outlook will be held virtually
The U.S. Apple Association will shift its Outlook 2020 Conference to a virtual event, still
Sap beetles hitting Michigan cherries
Intermittent pest could become more permanent in Michigan if link to spotted wing drosophila losses proven.
USDA awards money for blueberry, cranberry breeding
The U.S. Department of Agriculture awarded a four-year, $1.13 million grant, including matching funds, to
Bud removal can control the flower power
Artificial spur extinction removes buds early, eases angst of thinning.
Farm market sales go on with social distancing
Farm markets adapt to pandemic measures.
Mediterranean modernization
IFTA audience hears how Italian growers are coupling orchard design to mechanization.
A forgotten fruit region finds itself
Growers starting to realize West-central Michigan’s potential.