ENewsletter

Life lessons help Bailey Farms succeed with hot peppers

Specialty peppers are a hot business for Bailey Farms in Oxford, North Carolina. Bailey Farms grows 17 varieties of hot peppers at Oxford, as well as in Georgia and Florida on 1,200 of its own... more »

Sustainability key to Terranova’s success

At Terranova Ranch, sustainability and concern for the environment fuel efficient growth of numerous vegetables, winegrapes and nuts. The San Joaquin Valley operation of 9,000 acres, in Helm, California, employs technology and new growing practices... more »

LSU breeder LaBonte sets the sweet potato standard

With each new variety from the Louisiana State University (LSU) AgCenter sweet potato program, plant breeder Don LaBonte raises the bar for subsequent releases. For an advanced line to be considered for commercialization, it must... more »

Friðheimar grows, processes and serves tomato dishes to tourists

It’s hard to believe that a remote Icelandic agritourism business could draw 180,000 visitors – half of the country’s population – in a year, but in 2019 it did. Iceland is more known for its... more »

Jerrold A. Watson & Sons passes century mark

Jerrold A. Watson & Sons LLC continues a legacy of growing, having passed the century mark in operation. The Monetta, South Carolina, grower, which markets crops under the Watsonia Organics brand, helped create the state’s... more »

Family, dedication fuel Georgia onion grower’s success

Hard work and a do-it-yourself attitude helped make McLain Farms Inc. a successful grower of Vidalia sweet onions. Exponentially rising costs, however, press the business, which has grown onions since the mid-1980s. Brothers Brett and... more »

Cybersecurity threats focus of Viva Fresh session

With agriculture highly dependent on technology, growers must prepare for and properly respond to cyberattacks. A record number of cyberattacks occurred in 2021, said Greg Gatzke, president and founder of ZAG Technical Services. Gatzke discussed... more »

Lipman Family Farms sees sustainability through breeding, growing

Lipman Family Farms includes sustainability throughout its North American production. While the Immokalee, Florida, family operation has expanded from growing tomatoes into other crops and related operations, it remains a grower at heart. Lipman has... more »