Marketing
USDA seeks watermelon board nominees
USDA is seeking nominations for the National Watermelon Promotion Board. Applications for 13 open seats are due by June 2.The 37-member board includes producers, first handlers and importers nominated by their peers, and one member... more »
Voters amend watermelon plan
USDA has announced that watermelon producers, handlers and importers have voted to amend the Watermelon Research and Promotion Plan importer eligibility requirements for service on the National Watermelon Promotion Board.USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service conducted the... more »
Vegetable meeting rescheduled
The new date for the Illiana Vegetable Growers Symposium has been announced. It will be held March 4, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Central Time) at Teibel's Restaurant in Schererville, Ind.This symposium, sponsored by... more »
Greenhouse tomatoes can pay dividends
A primary reason for growing tomatoes in greenhouses is to reach higher levels of quality and value.That was a takeaway message from Richard Snyder, professor and vegetable specialist with Mississippi State University. He was a... more »
Baloian Farms pursues premium pepper producer designation
Becoming a leading producer of peppers continues to be a main focus of Fresno, Calif.-based Baloian Farms."We fully address the pepper category," said sales manager Jeremy Lane. "(We seek) to be a category leader in... more »
Illinois organic growers expand to partnership site
An emerging organic farm operation just outside of Chicago is benefitting from a partnership between several organizations and a diligent husband-wife team that has capitalized on opportunities for growth.Radical Root Farm will become the first... more »
Northeast vegetable farms diversify to survive
Dave Marchant has met the challenges associated with operating a wholesale organic vegetable farm on the Lamoille River in Fairfax, Vt.Now in its 21st year of operation, River Berry Farm grows 40 acres of organic... more »
Food safety project helps growers manage risk
Specialty crop growers have a myriad of concerns when contemplating the impact of the FDA's Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA).Fruit and vegetable producers find themselves directly in the crosshairs of the legislation, which aims to... more »
