Do you remember when your parents asked you, or when you asked your children, “What did you learn today?” The question becomes a way to connect with a person as well as gain information. And, the question has relevance in the business world as well as in our personal lives, too. So, how often do you...

Tree fruits, brambles, grapes: All are subject to foraging by birds. Protecting the harvest from bird damage remains a serious concern for growers. According to data presented by researcher Catherine Lindell, Michigan State University, Department of Integrative Biology, who studied bird damage patte...

Bacterial wilt disease is caused by the bacterial plant pathogen Erwinia tracheiphila (Et). Et is an annual epidemic on Cucurbita spp. crops (pumpkin, squash, zucchini and gourds) and Cucumis spp. crops (cucumbers and muskmelons) in the Midwestern, Mid-Atlantic, parts of the southern U.S., and North...

Grossing $350,000 from 1.2 acres of growing space seems incredible to many operators. For Conor Crickmore, owner of Neversink Farm in Claryville, NY, it’s all a matter of achieving optimal efficiency without using tillage or tractors. “I think the reason Neversink is different is we never really foc...

For three generations, the Collins family has been growing snap beans and other produce on Fair Weather Acres in Rocky Hill, CT. “We’re a third-generation farm, one of largest snap bean growers in New England,” said Michele Collins, explaining the farm she and her husband Billy operate. “Before 2011...

Dr. Lori Hoagland, Purdue University, said that tomatoes are one of the most important vegetable crops in the world. “Organic and local production is increasing throughout the nation,” she said. “Tomatoes have a lot of production issues, so the driving force behind the project was to learn more abou...

Over the years, the Gross family has tapped into the Lynchburg, VA’s rich vein of history and agritourism with outdoor festivals in April and September, PYO apples and peaches, vegetables grown on site, live Bluegrass music, an artists’ village, value-added products and more. A sign welcomes custome...

Dr. Brian Whipker, North Carolina State University; Chris Currey, Iowa State University; Joyce Latimer, Virginia Tech; and Lee Stivers, Extension Educator with Penn State Extension, discussed greenhouse production research in a recent webinar. Stivers focused on accuracy when measuring and mixing sm...

What employees need to know As a business owner or manager, you no doubt spend a lot of time working with and training employees. You need employees to be knowledgeable, courteous, efficient and productive. Beyond the basics of job descriptions and daily tasks, three factors are essential to add in ...

It can be tricky distinguishing between plant diseases. Many diseases have similar symptoms. And some of those symptoms can occur in both abiotic or biotic diseases. Abiotic diseases are caused by things other than living organisms. Nutrient deficiencies, too much or too little water, air pollution ...

Cedar-apple rust is caused by the fungus Gymnosporangium juniperi-virginianae . To complete its life cycle, the fungus must infect apple or crabapple and an alternate host. Alternate hosts most commonly include native red cedar ( Juniperus virginiana ) and Rocky Mountain juniper ( J. scopulorum ). I...

The exhibit hall of the Sturbridge Host Hotel, Sturbridge, MA was transformed into a large recruiting venue on Feb. 27 and 28 by the Massachusetts Nursery and Landscape Association (MNLA) to allow members to sign up anyone interested in a career in the field of landscaping or nursery. Today the Mass...

About 25 years ago, Robert Hamilton and his wife Eva started a Christmas tree farm, but after one year of growing trees, Robert decided that cutting down something he so carefully nurtured wasn’t for him. He and his wife Eva switched to fruit, specifically berries, and are doing it organically. The ...

Atlas Farm provides two million pounds of produce year-round for its community, with some brought to Copley Square Farmers Market in Boston during summer. Their produce is sold at farmers markets throughout Western Massachusetts and distributed wholesale to local grocery stores. They also provide pr...

At different life stages, biocontrol insects eat other insects or pollen and nectar from flowers. As alternatives to using chemical pesticides, high tunnel and greenhouse growers may purchase and release biocontrol insects. Successful pest management includes establishing a modest population of bioc...