Cucumbers
Mich. pickle farm accused of cheating workers
The federal government is accusing a northern Michigan farm of failing to pay minimum wage to migrant workers who picked pickling cucumbers.A lawsuit filed in Grand Rapids federal court also accuses Darryl Howes and Ron... more »
California tomato grower goes green
When Casey Houweling was thinking about the future of his tomato operation in Camarillo, Calif., he thought mostly of his daughters and the legacy his company would leave for them, he said. That made his... more »
Ohio family grows with the market
Three farms. Four thousand acres. Thirty-five commodities grown. Another 30 or so bought from other growers. Those numbers give a sense of the size and complexity of Buurma Farms, based in Willard, Ohio.In the busy... more »
Syngenta applying FarMore Technology
Syngenta is now enhancing its cucurbit seed offerings with a standard on-seed application of FarMore Technology. All Syngenta squash, melon and open field cucumber seed sold in North America is being treated with FarMore Technology,... more »
Downy mildew outbreak on cucumbers in southwest Michigan
Downy mildew on cucumbers was reported in Berrien County in the southwest portion of Michigan and confirmed by the Hausbeck lab this afternoon (July 24). View the Michigan downy mildew map. This most recent report... more »
Workers showing up for vegetable harvests – so far
Will U.S. growers find enough workers to harvest their crops in 2012?It's tough to predict, but based on information from a smattering of different crops in different regions, it looks like the labor supply is,... more »
USDA Agriculture Trade Mission to China under way
Valley Pride Sales Inc. in Mount Vernon, Wash. is among approximately 40 American businesses participating in a U.S. Department of Agriculture Trade Mission to China that kicked off today and runs through March 28.Acting Under... more »
Regional food hubs on the rise with local markets
Mark Coe, manager of the third-generation Calvin Lutz Farm in northwest Michigan, was surprised four years ago when a buyer for Chicago Public Schools went gaga for the farm's cull peaches."They wanted the smaller ones... more »
Fruit, vegetable crops need honeybees
Every third mouthful of food we eat, directly or indirectly, depends on honeybee pollination, according to Donald Lam, a beekeeper and member of the Holland Area Beekeepers Association in Holland, Mich.Lam gave a presentation during... more »
Managing downy mildew in pumpkins
Cucurbit downy mildew is most serious on cucumbers, but can damage other vine crops, including pumpkins. Changes in the strain types (more aggressive and overcoming cultivar resistance) and early appearance in the northern parts of... more »