Tomatoes-Peppers

Farming family creates a niche at home and around the world

Huron, Ohio-based The Chef's Garden used a value-added producer grant it received several years ago to study the feasibility of adding a processing component to its family-owned operations. The company provides more than 600 varieties... more »

Herbicide-tolerant crops spark concerns

In 2008, Dave Simmons' neighbor applied 2,4-D on a windy day.He shouldn't have been spraying. The herbicide drifted onto a 2-acre block of Simmons' grapevines, stunting their growth and hurting yields for the next two... more »

Editorial: Unlocking the tomato genome

At the end of May, the French National Institute for Agricultural Research (INRA) and Tomato Genome Consortium announced that they had sequenced the genomes of the domesticated tomato and its wild relative.My understanding of genetics... more »

Orzolek stepping down from Penn State duties

After more than three decades as a professor of vegetable crops at Pennsylvania State University, Mike Orzolek has retired.Not that he'll stop completely. Orzolek will still do some fieldwork, and will continue to interact with... 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 »

Florida Tomato Exchange says no more Mexican ‘maters

The Florida Tomato Exchange (FTE), based in Maitland, Fla., has officially asked the government of the United States to sever the tomato suspension agreement with Mexico based on what Reggie Brown, FTE manager, said are... more »

Greenhouse growers’ group calls for national standards

Certified Greenhouse Farmers is calling for a standard, enforceable definition of what constitutes a “greenhouse.”Formerly known as the North American Greenhouse Hothouse Vegetables Association, Certified Greenhouse Farmers says rising demand for greenhouse-grown produce makes now... more »

Bayer Cropscience acquires Abbott & Cobb watermelon and melon seeds

Bayer CropScience announced that it has entered into an agreement to purchase the watermelon and melon seed business of Abbott & Cobb Inc., a privately-held seed company headquartered in Feasterville, Pennsylvania, USA. The acquisition will... 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 »

Tomato genome gets fully sequenced — paves way to healthier fruits, veggies

For the first time, the genome of the tomato, Solanum lycopersicum, has been decoded, an important step toward improving yield, nutrition, disease resistance, taste and color of the tomato and other crops.The full genome sequence,... more »

Current Issue

VGN April Cover

Tech allows growers to ‘eavesdrop’ on insects

Managing wildlife on the farm

Southwest Florida’s Worden Farm manages challenges

Pennsylvania Vegetable Growers Association says farewell to leader

Southeast Regional Show recognizes leaders

Veg Connections: Biopesticides and beneficial insects

Business: Why do most succession plans fail?

60 years of advocating for agricultural employers

Keeping CSA members engaged and loyal

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