News

AgSharks Pitch Competition has five startups seeking $250K

Out of more than 100 applicants, five agtech start-up companies have been selected to go head-to-head in the Western Growers/S2G Ventures 2021 AgSharks Competition to win a $250,000 minimum investment and potential access to farm acreage to pilot the... more

Sunn hemp effective for weed control in fall crops, research finds

Growers with a certified organic diversified vegetable farm in South Carolina are seeing some success with using sunn hemp as a crimped cover crop to suppress weeds in fall brassica crops. Wild Hope Farm, located in Chester, South Carolina, receiv... more

Board of directors set for new International Fresh Produce Association

PMA and United Fresh leaders provided a series of updates Oct. 28 for the new association named International Fresh Produce Association. Co-CEOs of the new association, Cathy Burns and Tom Stenzel, were joined by Executive Committee members to sha... more

NCAE Ag Labor Forum in December has ambitious agenda

The National Council of Agricultural Employers announced Oct. 27 its agenda for the Annual Ag Labor Forum which will be held Dec. 1-3, at the M Resort just outside Las Vegas, Nevada. The National Council of Agricultural Employers' (NCAE )annual ev... more

USDA plans over $243M in grants to strengthen specialty crop industry

The USDA announced Oct. 28 an investment of more than $243 million in grants to support specialty crops, including fruits, vegetables, tree nuts and nursery crops through two USDA programs – the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program and the Specialty ... more

Rule protecting workers from hazardous heat sought by OSHA

Record-breaking heat in the U.S. in 2021 endangered millions of workers exposed to heat illness and injury in both indoor and outdoor work environments. Workers in outdoor and indoor work settings without adequate climate-controlled environments are ... more

Study targets dust’s role in potential produce cross-contamination

Researchers have conducted significant research into the role of water in foodborne outbreaks and to a lesser extent, soil’s contribution, but the potential for dust particles to transfer pathogens onto produce has been largely overlooked. Throu... more