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Congress passes $867 billion Farm Bill
Today Congress passed an $867 billion Farm Bill with strong bipartisan support. The House of
Flor Maldonado, a young grower from Tonasket, Washington
family background / Flor grew up on farms, since she was a small child, helping
The frost fight – EXPO preview
Researcher weighs in on heat, wind or water to fight frost.
Call for committee nominations
Pear, cherry and apricot growers and handlers can submit committee nominations at industry meetings in December and January.
Great Lakes Farm EXPO: Wide range of fruit sessions
Huge gathering of growers set for December in Michigan.
Fire blight control featured at 2018 WSTFA Annual Meeting
Growers to gather for December’s annual conference in Yakima, Washington.
Matt Duke, a young grower in Yakima, Washington
family background/Matt is the first generation of his family to work in agriculture. He has
A tale of two test plotters
Oregon and Ohio growers share why they participate in test plots.
Tree fruit added to U.S. relief program for food impacted by trade disputes
The Food Purchase and Distribution Program will buy up to $1.2 billion in food products “unfairly targeted by unjustified retaliation.”
Taking on trellis with peach trees
New innovations from Penn State promise increased yields, opportunity for mechanization.
Study in quality controls will help manage peach mealiness
Researcher examines effects of chilling, waxes and coatings on Ontario peaches.
Too hot and cold in the Golden State
Temperature tantrums abound for apricot, peach and cherry growers in California.
Good to Know: Help for managing Oriental fruit moth
OFM damage is on the rise in Washington orchards.
Northern exposure
See why Vineland apricots bred in Ontario are getting attention.
Meet WSU’s new breeder — Video
Per McCord assumes duties with Washington State University’s stone fruit program.
Bruno Simpson, a young grower from Nelson, New Zealand
family background / Bruno is the third generation of Waimea Nurseries and has been elected
Yvette Jones, a young grower from Nelson, New Zealand
family background / Yvette grew up traveling around the globe with parents David and Fiona
Peach rootstock trial tests options for size control
Researchers start with the roots to shrink trees.
Finding success the cooperative way
The fewer grower cooperatives packing fruit in the industry today still play crucial role.
Want to get in on organics?
Transitioning tree fruit to organic production was the focus of a Washington State University NextGen
Conner Sullivan, a young grower from Pasco, Washington
family background / Conner along with his cousin Clint Sullivan started their business after growing
Verification program lets growers show off their stewardship
A good sign for growers
Register for the 75th annual Cherry Institute
The 75th annual Cherry Institute is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. on Jan. 12 at the Yakima Convention Center in central Washington. Also, nominations are wanted for marketing committees
How to give away fruit
Donations are appreciated at food banks, but some homework and forethought are advised first.
Strong market for Michigan sweet cherries: GLExpo Day 2 wrap
There was good news and bad news for cherry growers at the second day of
Cherry and apricot marketing boards to make nominations
Nominations for grower and handler positions on the Washington Cherry Marketing Committee and Washington Apricot Marketing Committee will take place during industry meetings in January. The committees establish grade, size and pack regulations for fresh cherries and apricots from designated counties in Washington state.
Stemilt will use virtual reality for tours at PMA show
Those attending the Produce Marketing Association Fresh Summit will get a glimpse of Stemilt Growers without having to leave the conference.
New version of UC Produce Facts app released
The Postharvest Center at the University of California, Davis has released a new version of
The ag advocates
Hort Council presses on amid leadership change.
WSU Transitioning to Organic tour set for Aug. 2, 3
Washington State University and the Next Generation Tree Fruit Network will hold a pair of
IFTA Summer Tour wraps up with focus on research, frost
The Michigan tree fruit industry is chock full of innovative growers rapidly diversifying, modernizing and
Cowgill: Improving rootstocks for peaches
By Win Cowgill: After NC-140 research project’s success, new studies hope to do the same with peaches.
Lake Ontario Tour shows wide range of New York tree fruit farming
The only consistency on the Lake Ontario Fruit Program tour this summer was the humidity. Otherwise, the five-farm tour organized by Cornell University Cooperative Extension covered a remarkably diverse swath of tree fruit farming in a narrow band along Lake Ontario’s shores: new high density apple plantings and apple orchards far older than this reporter, along with high density peaches, berries, and a brand new cidery.
Scholarships offered for United Fresh Washington Conference
The application period for the 2017 Frieda Rapoport Caplan Family Business Scholarship is now open.
OSU researchers develop field test for crown gall
A woman can find out if she’s pregnant without going to a doctor. Soon, farmers may be able to find out if their fruit trees or grape vines have crown gall disease without going to a laboratory.
Lessons learned from Michigan’s plum pox plight
Michigan research station recovers 10 years after infection requires removal of entire orchards.
Southeastern peach growers eye solutions after freeze
After warm winter, southeastern peach growers lost most of their crop to a spring freeze — now finding ways to adapt has become critical.
Colorado’s canker crisis costing millions
Growers and researchers are working together to figure out how to protect peach trees.
Mite threatening honeybees in New York
A tiny mite is being blamed for major honeybee losses in New York, threatening the state’s $500 million agriculture industry.
Vanguard International buys Pride Packing
The Vanguard International Group of Issaquah, Washington, has purchased Pride Packing Co. of Wapato, Washington, to further its goal of developing a vertically integrated fresh-fruit organization.
Seattle Times: Tree Top uses surplus peaches to feed hungry
From The Seattle Times:
There’s the old adage, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.”
Tree Top,
Scholarships available for IFTA trip to New Zealand
IFTA has reserved a limited number of spots on its 2018 New Zealand Study Tour and Annual Conference for recipients of Young Professional Scholarships.
Food safety answers: What’s in your water? — Videos
Questions abound about implementation of the Food Safety Modernization Act. To keep you abreast of
Native flora can attract beneficial insects to the vineyards and orchards
Between rows, think local
Do you have enough active carbon in your soil?
WSU extension specialist offers tips on how to track the health of your orchard.
Fertilizer tips to maximize baby tree growth
Nourishing new orchards
The latest on FF Robotics’ machine harvester
IFTA’s summer field tour in New York last year focused on automation technologies and growers
Brett Grobe, a Young Grower from Elyria, Ohio
family background / Brett is a sixth-generation fruit and vegetable grower in northern Ohio near
Don’t invest in unwanted shoot growth
With spring approaching in the Northern Hemisphere, a new season for orchardists starts with flowers, new leaves and shoots — and much anxiety.