Locally grown produce presents the largest opportunity for growers nationwide. In July 2015, the USDA estimated that local food sales in the United States have nearly doubled in recent years, jumping from $5 billion in 2008 to $11.7 billion in 2014 Read about: Using Herbicides Within the Vegetation-Free Strip Method Professional chefs agree. Since 2013, locally … Read more
Orchard growers across the United States know all too well the toll of frost damage. Combating frost and controlling its overall effects could mean the difference between a fruitful harvest or sluggish season. We recently spoke with Steve Hammersmith, chief executive officer of Shur Farms Frost Protection and author of “Cold Air Accumulation and the … Read more
Most people wouldn’t argue apples taste good. They can be sweet or tart, red or green, large or small. According to health experts, they are good for us, too. Color and taste preferences aside, when a consumer goes to the grocery store, they expect to find decent-looking apples, too — free of wormholes and insect bites. Insects … Read more
To understand the principles that John and Dorie Belisle have devised and applied over 20-plus years of apple farming, consider a phrase familiar to many agriculturalists: integrated pest management (IPM). Apple Management Read about: 3 Lingering Issues with Produce Safety Rule IPM refers to a holistic approach to pest management – an information-based strategy of constant monitoring, … Read more
As summer morphs into fall, plenty of tree fruit is harvested. In some regions, the last of the peaches, the first apples, and pears and plums all come to fruition now, ripe for harvest. But what is ripe? How do orchardists know when it’s the perfect time to pick? Orchard management Read about: 4 Things to … Read more