News
USDA: $72.9M in funding set through Specialty Crop Block Grant Program
The USDA announced Jan. 25 the availability of $72.9 million through the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) to fund innovative projects designed to support the expanding specialty crop sector and explore new market opportunities for U.S. food... more
Several issues impacting California processing-tomato growers
The supply chain's weak links and California's fickle winter weather are clouding the forecast for the state's processing-tomato growers. Aaron Barcellos, a diversified grower in Los Banos, already cut his tomato acreage by more than half last yea... more
California water project deliveries get modest increase from storms
The California Department of Water Resources, or DWR, announced Jan. 20 it is increasing the State Water Project allocation to 15% of requested supplies for 2022. Last month, due to low water levels, the Department announced that the initial allocati... more
Syngenta Crop Protection acquires bioinsecticides from UK-based Bionema
Syngenta Crop Protection has acquired two next generation bioinsecticides, NemaTrident and UniSpore, to combat increasing resistance and a wide range of insects and pests across horticulture and ornamentals, turf amenity and forestry, giving custome... more
Viral proteins join forces to lower plants’ defense ‘shields’
New research, led by Washington State University scientists, into how viral proteins interact and can be disabled holds promise to help plants defend themselves against viruses – and ultimately prevent crop losses. The study published in Fronti... more
Plenty to sell complete farms directly to partners
South San Francisco, California-based Plenty Unlimited Inc., an indoor, vertical farming technology company that can grow clean produce year-round, anywhere in the world, announced Jan. 25 it has secured $400 million in a Series E financing round, wh... more
Stokes Seeds adds Southeast U.S. product development manager
Stokes Seeds has announced the hiring of Eric Zunica as Product Development Manager for the Southeast U.S. region, including North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida. In this position, Zunica will be responsible for testing and identify... more