Northeast
UMass Amherst, NC State study impacts associated with floral strips
A new study reported May 14 by evolutionary ecologist Lynn Adler at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and Rebecca Irwin of North Carolina State University, with others, suggests that flower strips – rows of pollinator-friendly... more »
Managing damping off in direct-seeded vegetables
With the current cold and wet spring conditions, the risk of damping-off caused by pythium and phytophthora species is high. If/when the conditions shift to warmer and drier, fusarium and rhizoctonia species will be the primary causes of... more »
Legislation addresses disruption in food chain
U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, introduced on May 5 legislation to address disruptions in the food supply chain caused by the coronavirus pandemic and directly connect farms to food... more »
New York State IPM program to be led by Alejandro Calixto
Beginning May 16, Alejandro Calixto takes over as director of New York State Integrated Pest Management following the retirement of Jennifer Grant. Calixto brings experience with the Land Grant system and mission, having prior extension... more »
Surplus ag products sought through New York state program
The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, in coordination with its partners, is reaching out to New York producers that have surplus agricultural products as a result of COVID-19-related supply chain disruptions. The... more »
Excess water raises disease issues in vegetables
The National Weather Service stated that “2018 was the wettest year on record in Pennsylvania.” This past 2019 summer was looking like another wet year, but the rains shut off mid-summer. Excess water can be... more »
USDA destroying flowers to eradicate Ralstonia bacteria
Federal officials are working with greenhouses in 39 states to destroy infected pink geraniums and prevent an invasive bacterium from infecting vegetable crops. USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) recently confirmed a Ralstonia... more »
Farmers pursue innovative marketing in New Jersey during pandemic
New Jersey farmers are among the most innovative and most productive farmers in the nation. Farming in the country’s most densely populated state in the U.S. comes with many challenges. It also comes with marketing... more »