The foundation of organic production is building and maintaining soil health. With few exceptions, the inputs applied for fertility and for pest, disease and weed control must be natural, not synthetic. Management practices such as crop rotation, conservation tillage and cover crops are part of a system that strives for fertile soil while enhancing ecological … Read more
While technology usually allows more work to be accomplished with fewer hands, James Truman of Surprise, Ariz., has reverted to traditional flood operation in his citrus grove. While micro sprinkler systems use irrigation water more efficiently, they require more extensive attention. Truman Ranch II (http://u-pickcitrusaz.com/truman-ranch) offers Phoenix-area residents and visitors the opportunity to enjoy a … Read more
October 14-17, Atlanta, Ga. he Produce Marketing Association’s Fresh Summit International Convention & Exposition will be held October 14-17 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. The event is a dynamic platform that keeps you up to speed with a changing global supply chain. As the association representing the fresh fruit and vegetable industry, … Read more
The Challenge of Growing Pears for the Fresh Market Dr. Terence Robinson says he’s an apple guy, but he’s determined to help growers overcome the challenges that come with pears. “In 2000, I started work on pears,” said Robinson, an applied fruit crop physiologist at Cornell University. “Pear production was declining in New York state, … Read more
Growing raspberries, teaching the work ethic According to the Washington Red Raspberry Commission, Whatcom County raspberry farmers set a record harvest of 66.3 million pounds of raspberries in 2011, a 22 percent increase over 2010. The previous record was 61.2 million pounds in 2000. Whatcom County’s raspberry production represented nearly 92 percent of Washington’s total … Read more