Water

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 »

Bell peppers can grow better in the shade

As the seasons turn, commercial bell pepper growers in the Southeast share a common foe: the sun.Brutal summer temperatures often make growing anything impossible, and peppers can be susceptible to a host of diseases and... more »

Cover crops an important component of healthy soil

Cover crops are grown throughout the world to complement crop needs in the field, while enhancing soil quality.The use of cover crops spans thousands of years — bell beans during the height of the Roman... more »

Grants give farms kick-start to expand with value-added products

USDA has awarded $40.2 million in value-added producer grants to 298 recipients in 44 states and Puerto Rico for 2012.According to USDA, the grant program is a tool for independent fruit and vegetable producers, among... more »

Take steps to improve future asparagus productivity

2012 was an exceptionally difficult year for asparagus growers in the Midwest and Northeast, as well as in some parts of Canada.Because of unusually warm weather in the spring, bud dormancy on the crowns was... more »

Virginia farm relies on ‘huge’ CSA program

If you're going to run a CSA, it helps to do it in the richest county in the country.The Community Supported Agriculture program is the "bread and butter" of Great Country Farms, said Jaclyn Jenkins,... more »

Treasure Valley onion growers converting to drip irrigation

Onion growers typically use three types of irrigation systems: furrow, sprinkler and drip.Conversion to drip irrigation systems has been increasing for more than two decades in the Treasure Valley area, ranging from Oregon's Malheur County... more »

Idaho grower builds 48-row onion planter

Bigger is better - at least when it comes to planting onions and drip irrigation. That's what Russell Frisby has determined since he started growing onions in western Idaho's Treasure Valley.When Frisby, manager of Frisby... more »