Vegetable Growers News

  The California Department of Food and Agriculture has collected enough applications to establish a California Special Interest License Plate. The California Agriculture License Plate will support future generations of farmers and ranchers through agricultural education, career awareness, career training and youth leadership programs. Proceeds… Full Story »

Agraquest has been given the green light to use its Serenade Soil fungicide for control of Verticillium in California strawberries. Available in the U.S. for tomatoes, potatoes and melons since 2010, Serenade Soil has proved effective with strawberries, said Sarah Reiter, vice president of marketing,… Full Story »

Some Alabama farmers say they are planting less produce rather than risk having tomatoes and other crops rot in the fields a second straight year because of labor shortages linked to the state's crackdown on illegal immigration. Associated Press Read more here.  

The United Fresh Produce Association and the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance have joined nearly 130 other agriculture organizations to urge the leadership of the United States Senate to bring the farm bill passed by the Senate Agriculture Committee to the full Senate for passage… Full Story »

The good news is that the asparagus in Oceana County took less of a hit than expected. The bad news is that cherry and apple growers in Oceana County weren’t as lucky. And peaches? Forget about it. Hardly any peach trees in Oceana orchards survived… Full Story »

By Kathy GibbonsEditorial Director Al Dietrich didn't get a lot of sleep last night. The Conklin, Mich., grower had to be up and at his family's Dietrich Orchards' packing facility by 4:15 a.m. today in preparation for hosting McDonald's announcement of a new "From Michigan… Full Story »

  Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan announced awards to help States expand availability of wireless technology in farmers' markets not currently participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The $4 million in funding provides SNAP participants greater access to fresh and healthy food, while… Full Story »

Cleveland Beansprouts Co. of Cleveland, Ohio, is recalling all alfalfa sprouts because they may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. There are no lot codes or any other identifier on the product. The alfalfa sprouts were only distributed in Ohio. The contamination was discovered by the… Full Story »