Midwest

Increasing samurai wasp for biological control of brown marmorated stink bug

A tiny wasp, about as big as a sesame seed, that lays its eggs into the eggs of stink bugs is the most promising biological control agent against the brown marmorated stink bug. Originating from the... more »

In-person learning for beginning farmers returns to MSU Organic Farm

After a year hiatus in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the MSU Organic Farmer Training Program is returning in 2021 to offer safe beginning farmer training. A signature program of the Michigan State University (MSU) Student Organic Farm... more »

Jan. 19-20 set for virtual Iowa Specialty Producers Conference

The Iowa Specialty Producers Conference is scheduled for Jan. 19-20. This second joint gathering of the Iowa Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association and the Iowa Wine Growers Association will take place entirely online. Keynote speaker... more »

New online decision tool supports Midwest specialty crop producers

Sam Wortman, associate professor of horticulture at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and Ali Loker, Doctor of Plant Health graduate student, have launched a new decision support tool for specialty crop producers and gardeners: the Vegetable Variety Navigator.... more »

Dan Duda to retire as CEO of Duda Farm Fresh Foods

Dan Duda, CEO and former president of Duda Farm Fresh Foods, will retire after 40 years from the six-generation family owned company based ind Oviedo, Florida, effective Dec. 31. Dan’s brother and fourth-generation family member, Sammy... more »

Kalera to open vertical farming facility in Ohio

Kalera (Euronext Growth Oslo ticker KAL, Bloomberg: KSLLF), one of the fastest-growing vertical farming companies in the United States, announced Dec. 21 it will begin construction on a facility in the Columbus, Ohio area, slated... more »

Coveyou Farms, others receive funding support from Michigan

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development on Dec. 17 awarded Value Added and Regional Food System grants to nine Michigan producers, processors and community development organizations. The grants are designed to help retain,... more »

Clean agricultural drainage water project gets NRCS funding

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, has awarded $1.12 million to support University of Illinois-led research to clean agricultural drainage water through saturated buffers and denitrifying bioreactors. According... more »