Asparagus
Mechanical Asparagus Harvester Almost a Reality
After more than a century of experimentation, the U.S. asparagus industry just might be on the verge of getting itself a workable, economical mechanical harvester. Since 1908, 57 patents for some sort of mechanical asparagus... more »
Growers Getting Desperate in California Water Crisis
Like a lot of growers on the western side of California's San Joaquin Valley, Joe Del Bosque has had to cut back on his plantings. Water shortages forced him to fallow roughly half his 2,300... more »
Asparagus Payment Delayed
Maybe next year, asparagus growers. The $15 million the U.S. asparagus industry has been waiting for is still "limping its way" through the federal system, and growers might not get money in their hands until... more »
Wisconsin Farm Market Weathers Ups and Downs
2006 and 2007 were a tough couple of years for Wisconsin Territories Farm Market, but owner Kate Zdroik is ready to bounce back and is optimistic about the upcoming season. Her husband and co-owner, Mark... more »
ASPARAGUS! Stalking the American Life To Hit PBS Airwaves
The award-winning, independent documentary film “ASPARAGUS! Stalking the American Life” will air on Michigan PBS stations at 8 p.m. April 29. The broadcast, underwritten by Farm Bureau Insurance and the Michigan Asparagus Advisory Board, can... more »
More Farms, Fewer Acres Among U.S. Ag Trends
According to the 2007 Census of Agriculture, the number of farms in the United States grew 4 percent from 2002 to 2007, while the number of acres declined. The 2007 Census counted 2,204,792 farms in... more »
Why Buy Local?
My wife had just finished up her latest semester in college, and we decided to celebrate. It was a dark, gloomy night in December, but there was no stopping us crazy kids from a wild... more »
Brussels Sprouts Relaxed Rules for Fruits and Vegetables
Oddly shaped asparagus, crooked cucumbers and gnarly carrots will no longer be banned from grocers' shelves in the European Union, following a relaxation last week of EU standards governing the appearance of fruits and vegetables.... more »