West
Labor-saving crops, automation drive California farms, survey says
Despite raising wages and increasing benefits, California farmers are failing to find enough people to pick fruits and vegetables and harvest other crops, and they are offsetting this labor shortage by changing to less labor-intensive... more »
Driscoll’s starts selling ‘Berry Big’ strawberries
Driscoll’s in May will begin selling “Berry Big Strawberries,” which it is marketing as larger-sized strawberries, each requiring more than one bite to finish. The quantity of the berries is limited, and “captures the beginning... 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 »
Farm to Family program expanded by California Gov. Gavin Newsom
California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced April 29 new initiatives to help Californians put healthy food on the table while also supporting the farm industry, which has been devastated by COVID-19. California... more »
Strawberry consumption improves heart health in teenaged males
The 2019 Berry Health Benefits Symposium resulted in a collection of papers recently published in the journal Food & Function. Among the papers was “Effects of short-term consumption of strawberry powder on select parameters of... more »
Hard freeze on Colorado’s Western Slope target for disaster declaration
Gov. Jared Polis and Commissioner of Agriculture Kate Greenberg requested on April 24 a USDA Secretarial Disaster Declaration for Colorado’s Western Slope counties impacted by a late-season hard freeze event that occurred on April 13,... more »
‘In Bloom’ event scheduled in Texas to share pandemic support
The Texas International Produce Association "In Bloom" Women’s Committee is hosting a virtual experience on May 6, 2020 at 4 p.m. CST to offer stories and shared support for surviving and finding ways to thrive in... more »
Western Growers back plan to eliminate specialty crop payment limits
In response to a bi-partisan congressional call to eliminate payment limits for specialty crop, livestock and dairy producers before the final Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) details are announced, Western Growers President & CEO Dave... more »
Current Issue
Veg Connections: Heat-tolerant broccolini can integrate with clover living mulch
Farm market survey shows labor, input costs driving farm market pricing
Bedner’s: Popular South Florida agritourism, farm market destination
Organic Grower: Good Humus Produce’s community mindset
Workforce solutions: best practices
Ag Labor Review: Bridging the political divide
Farm Market & Agritourism: Effective methods for collecting customer data
see all current issue »
