Water

Editorial: Reduce spray drift

In the August 2012 issue of VGN, I wrote a story that discussed pesticide drift and volatilization and the damage they can do to specialty crops like fruits and vegetables ("Herbicide-tolerant crops spark concerns," front... more »

California seeks to distinguish its cantaloupes

California melons will begin bearing a "Buy California Grown" sticker in an effort to distinguish the state's crop from others.Steve Patricio, president of Westside Produce and the California Cantaloupe Advisory Board, and a grower himself,... more »

Central Illinois farm market going strong despite drought, frost

Tanner's Orchard is celebrating its 65th year as a family-run business. The 80-acre, Speer, Ill., farm and market was founded in 1947 by John Tanner. The original family farm was started in 1906 in Deer... more »

California tomato grower goes green

When Casey Houweling was thinking about the future of his tomato operation in Camarillo, Calif., he thought mostly of his daughters and the legacy his company would leave for them, he said. That made his... more »

Farmers’ markets need to sell safe food, too

Buying locally grown produce at the farmers' market is a great way to ensure your family is getting the freshest food possible, but it doesn't guarantee that the produce is safer. Just like any food,... more »

Vegetables coming to market despite drought

Vegetable growers seem to be holding their own, despite what many are describing as the worst drought since the days of the Dust Bowl.While some areas were seeing a diminished crop in July, farmers' market... more »

Family, persistence, Twinkies help Ohio farm survive

When Dave Weilnau was growing up, just about every farmer in his part of north-central Ohio sold their vegetables wholesale to local buyers. That's not the case anymore."As far as I know, there's no one... more »

Lack of rain latest worry for Midwest growers

With headlines dominated by early warmth and spring freezes, growers across parts of the Midwest have yet another concern: Precipitation – or the lack thereof.As of late June, the National Drought Mitigation Center (NDMC) in... more »