Vegetables

Michigan Vegetable Council’s proactive approach

As the Michigan Vegetable Council’s (MVC) president, Matt McCallum is delivering a new focus on research and advocacy for the Wolverine State’s vegetable industry. McCallum, owner of Great American Media Services, which publishes Vegetable Growers... more »

Researchers attack emerging threat to watermelon, cucumber production

Growers of cucurbits — which include melons, pumpkin, squash and cucumbers — face numerous challenges in production, leading to decreased profitability and less produce on grocery shelves. Weeds, insect pests and plant diseases are prominent... more »

Organic Grower: UGA studies transitioning fallow pastureland

To help new organic growers overcome weed challenges, University of Georgia College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences’ researchers are examining ways to help transition land from conventional to organic production in the Southeast. A UGA... more »

Farm Market & Agritourism: Know your customers

I was talking with a new owner of a farm market store. He had purchased the business from an organic farmer who owned the business for five years. Along with selling their produce, the organic... more »

Strawberry options: Plasticulture, matted-row production

When I started my job as an Extension specialist at Purdue eight years ago, strawberries were mainly grown as a perennial crop in a matted-row production system in orchards and u-pick farms. Despite strawberries being... more »

Organic Grower: California’s unique strawberry pest control method

A novel pest management method is sweeping through California strawberry fields. Well, not sweeping, exactly. Growers and equipment dealers are essentially turning tractors into giant vacuums to remove Lygus bugs, which cause an estimated $200... more »

Drones help scout crops, but growers must consider costs

Drones help East Coast growers who typically don’t enjoy access to aerial applicator services, which prefer to service the larger row crop fields in the Midwest, said Kenny Strong, owner of Accurate Ag Spraying LLC.... more »

Veg Connections: Building organic matter in sandy soils

Soil organic matter (SOM) is often considered the foundation of a healthy soil because it mediates many biological, chemical and physical soil properties — from water holding capacity to nutrient availability. Strategies for building SOM... more »