Water
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
