Strawberries

California universities receive millions for strawberry research

USDA announced in late August its decision to award $8.8 million in grants to two teams of scientists, led by California universities, who are researching ways to manage and prevent soil disease on strawberry farms.... more »

$2.5 million grant to expand organic strawberry research

UC Santa Cruz researchers who have pioneered alternatives to methyl bromide in commercial strawberry production have received a $2.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture that will take their work national. [caption id=""... more »

Plasticulture strawberry planting, fall growth tips revisited

The next 10 days are the optimum period for planting strawberries in the plasticulture system. The variety Chandler, which has the most acreage in our region, is very sensitive to planting date. For highest yields,... more »

Florida strawberry grower expands into blueberries

Sam Astin III started as a medium-sized Florida strawberry grower. By considerably expanding his acreage, he became one of the state’s leading strawberry growers. Always looking to the future, Astin recently increased his blueberry production,... more »

$4.5 million grant funds disease-resistant strawberries

The Public Strawberry Breeding Program at the University of California, Davis, and colleagues in California and Florida have received a $4.5 million grant from the National Institute of Food and Agriculture of the U.S. Department... more »

Variety of methods keep track of farm visitors

On a busy weekend day, Tougas Family Farm can see upwards of 10,000 customers walking through its fields and orchards. Making sure everyone has paid admission, keeping customers in the right fields and picking produce,... more »

Take care of weed control in perennial strawberry

Much of the 2017 Michigan strawberry crop was lost as a result of a frost in early May. The blossoms had not yet opened, so many growers did not take frost control action. Cool, wet... more »

Strawberry producer Koontz dies at age 62

Robert "Fritz" Koontz was born in French Lick, Indiana, but raised in Cave Creek, Arizona. A graduate of Arizona State University, he moved to California, where began his career in agricultural banking and in the... more »