Asparagus
Labor Shortage Disrupting Michigan Asparagus Harvest
The shortage of farm workers growers have been fearing showed up on Michigan asparagus farms this spring. “There's a major problem out there,” Tom Greiner said. “There is asparagus being mowed down because there is... more »
Globalization Hits Michigans Asparagus Industry
The challenge seemed reasonable and clear. Without unity in the asparagus industry, it won't survive long. said Ron Armstrong, sales president of Honee Bear Canning in Lawton, Mich. On that point, there was – and... more »
Regions Work More Closely Together to Sell Crop
The threat of offshore fresh asparagus imports is bringing North American asparagus growers closer together. There are tentative plans to cooperate on research and even marketing, according to representatives of Michigan Asparagus Advisory Board, the... more »
Washington State on Drought Watch
The irrigation outlook for Washington state this year is bad – one of the worst ever. Unless there are massive rainstorms during the spring and summer, there's not going to be enough water. Authorities are... more »
Asparagus Expert: Disease Resistance Needed
Asparagus growers in Michigan aren't the only ones who face challenges. New Zealand growers deal with many of the same issues, including competition, disease, funding and privatization. Michigan growers got an international asparagus perspective from... more »
Asparagus Growers Prepare for Processing Plant Loss
What's the state of asparagus in the state of Washington? It's hard to pin down, but change is in the air. Washington's asparagus industry is in a state of flux, with long-term implications for its... more »
Farmers Market Braces for Rush of Produce, Customers
It was May 27, a Friday, and things were fairly slow at the Fulton Street Farmers' Market. Many stalls were empty, and produce items were few and far between. Some of the vendors had put... more »
Community Gathers At Terhune Orchards
When Pam and Gary Mount bought Terhune Orchards in 1975, they weren't just looking to run a farm. They wanted to create a community gathering place, and they seem to have succeeded. More than 500,000... more »
Farm Market Successful With Second Store
A second location has expanded business options for Peaceful Valley Orchards, to the point where the original location is no longer as pivotal as it used to be. In 2001, Meredith and Jeremy Compton bought... more »
California Sues Makers of Potato Chips, Fries Over Acrylamide
When Congress got rid of the controversial Delaney Clause by passing the Food Quality Protection Act in 1996, most Americans got rid of a problem. But California has a Delaney-like law, and Californians continue to... more »