Tomatoes-Peppers
Vine-Ripe Tomatoes Turn Heads, Tempt Your Taste Buds
The No. 1 reason people plant vegetable gardens or go to farmers markets is for the tomatoes. Over the years I have struggled with language, trying to find a way to describe the irresistible flavor... more »
Kentucky Grower Builds a Retail Destination
Back before Jimmy Dean came to mean sausage, the country singer crooned a tune that contained the line, "that spells Kentucky, but it means paradise." Bill Gallrein Jr. knows what he had in mind. You... more »
Women, Minorities Continue to Take Over on the Farm
The changing face of farming belongs to women and minorities. According to the USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, the number of women principal farm operators grew 12.6 percent from 1997 to 2002. The number of... more »
Expert Recommends Drip Irrigation for Higher-Return Crops
Growers with higher-return crops should switch to drip irrigation, an irrigation expert advised. "There are so many advantages to using drip irrigation," said Ron Goldy, a Michigan State University (MSU) Southwest District vegetable agent. "If... more »
Ontario Grower Brings Ingenuity to Brussels Sprouts
From the road, it's an idyllic setting. Rows of bright green Brussels sprouts stretch a full mile across this level field in Southwestern Ontario. The colors and coolness of fall surround them. In the distance,... more »
Ontario Grower Jumps into Growing Vegetables
Ontario vegetable grower Mike Pastir didn't fall into the farming game by accident. He jumped into it. And the 24-year-old enjoys where he landed, despite the many challenges. "Agriculture's gravy years are over," said Pastir,... more »
Go-Getter Family Builds Vibrant Market
For Bill and Michelle Bakan of Maize Valley Farm Market in Hartville, Ohio, just being big farmers wasn't going to save the farm. They needed to sell something that made more money than corn and... more »
Innovations Improve Pepper Handling
Ed Hughs is determined to save chili peppers and cotton for New Mexico growers. Hughs is an agricultural engineer with Agricultural Research Service's (ARS) Southwestern Cotton Ginning Research Laboratory near Las Cruces. Heavily grown in... more »
Company Says It Will Not Turn to Biotech
When Monsanto announced Jan. 24 that it would buy Seminis, the first question on everyone's mind was, "What kind of biotech vegetables can we look for and when?" Monsanto Co., its name synonymous with biotechnology... more »
High Tunnels Bring High Returns
Production of fruit and vegetables in high tunnels is growing rapidly, with new growers and new crops finding their comfort zone under those plastic roofs and walls. Producers packed the session on high tunnel production... more »