Asparagus

North Carolina farm sells an experience

By Derrek Sigler, Assistant Editor"You're not just selling fruits and vegetables anymore, you're selling an experience," said Doug Carrigan of Carrigan Farms in Mooresville, N.C. "I could sell a gallon of strawberries, but if I... more »

Michigan growers pull for new entomologist

By Matt Milkovich, Managing Editor Michigan State University's (MSU) new vegetable entomologist is in the midst of her first field season, observing Michigan vegetable production from beginning to end. It's an exciting time, and a... more »

Researchers try chemigation on new plantings

By Matt Milkovich, Managing EditorMichigan State University (MSU) researchers, in collaboration with the Michigan asparagus industry, are studying the efficacy of chemigation in an experimental asparagus field in the western part of the state.The two-and-a-half-acre... more »

Keeping Track of Changes

You might have noticed some changes in the last couple of issues. First of all, VGN (and FGN) has a new assistant editor, Derrek Sigler. He introduced himself in last month's Editor's Letter. We're also... more »

Hard Times for California Asparagus

The long ranks of asparagus bunches standing at attention at the Zuckerman stalls at local farmers markets look much the same as in previous years, and the green, herbaceous spears are just as tender and... more »

Has Peruvian Asparagus Peaked?

Four years ago, Peruvian asparagus growers were feeling pretty confident -- and for good reason. Their industry had grown exponentially since 1991, when Peruvian asparagus was granted tariff-free access to the U.S. market. The U.S.... more »

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 »