The root of tree health is fertility, and fertility begins in the soil. Simply amending the soil or using a foliar spray each season isn’t the answer to orchard fertility; these are merely tools used to address concerns. – Building Tree Fruit Fertility “Nutrition needs to be something that we do every day, not just once … Read more
Getting produce off the farm and into the hands of consumers often involves packaging, storage and transport, as well as a race against time to keep product from spoiling. Once purchased, consumers often are up against the clock to eat produce before it spoils. Whether food waste or packaging waste, produce generates a lot of … Read more
With the recent focus on the beneficial health-related properties of blueberries, this berry is in demand. Sales venues aren’t the only methods in which blueberries find their way to consumers; however, some make their way via wholesale distribution to food processors. A few continue their journey — or perhaps divert it — to reach unique, … Read more
Nearly 30 years ago, in 1988, Theresa Gaffney made the fateful decision to become a blueberry farmer. Newly married to Tom Gaffney, she moved to his home and 100 acres in Stockton Springs, Maine. Of note – a whopping 25 of those acres were covered in lowbush native blueberries. – Blueberry Crop That same year she … Read more
Pests, pathogens and irrigation are every grower’s challenge. And although these problems aren’t directly caused by climate change, as climate scientists and ag researchers have noted in previous columns, erratic and extreme weather caused by climate change has begun to, and will increasingly, exacerbate agriculture’s typical problems. – Slow-Growing Crops Forecasts suggest pests, pathogens and availability … Read more