WEST GREENWICH, RI — Implementation of the federal Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) is imminent, and the Rhode Island Farm Bureau (RIFB) is working to mitigate its impact on local farmers. FSMA was signed into law by President Obama in 2011, partly in response to outbreaks from contaminated prod...

Our hands are a critical part of what we’re able to accomplish every day, and we use them every day to complete routine tasks and precision movements. “Whether it’s raking a pill out of a small pill bottle or putting nuts and bolts together, it’s an amazing engineering marvel that’s made up of about...

DOVER, DE — State authorities are alerting local businesses and purchasers of tropical nursery stock of the recent detection of fire ants in a shipment of palm trees imported from Florida. The red imported fire ants were detected during a routine check at a Sussex County business by the Delaware Dep...

Nearly $200,000 in donations recognized WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Horticultural Research Institute is pleased to announce the recognition of volunteer leaders and recent donors as it enters its 55th year of service to the green industry. Officers for 2017 are President Jon Reelhorn, Belmont Nursery, In...

The 2014 Farm Bill directed the United States Department of Agriculture to survey the efforts of farmers who produce and sell product directly to consumers, retailers, and institutions. Surveys were completed in 2015 and the USDA released their report in December 2016. The report indicates that more...

What is your customer service strategy this season? A friend was excited about the new farm market in the area. Along with accolades about the ample parking, courteous clerks, lovely atmosphere and good quality products, she held up her hand to stop me in my tracks and said, “Oh, and one more thing,...

In logic class, students are taught the various argument fallacies: what makes a good, reasonable claim and — often more importantly — what doesn’t. I remember sitting in class after class as teachers played videos of current celebrities, politicians, news stories and more. After each clip, we were ...

The Fruit Growers Associations of Rhode Island and Massachusetts held their first combined twilight meeting of the season on April 20, 2017 at Phantom Farms, Cumberland, RI. The focus of the evening was options for controlling weeds in apple orchards and other perennial fruit crops. Kerri Stenovitch...

Managing plant diseases challenges many organic producers, but with the right products and techniques, farmers can improve yield, according to presenters at the recent eOrganic.info webinar, “Using biofungicides, biostimulants and biofertilizers to boost crop productivity and help manage vegetable d...