What’s going on with plum curculio? Fruit growers definitely want to know. A snout beetle, plum curculio (PC) is pest of stone fruits such as peaches, plums and cherries, native to the region east of the Rocky Mountains. It’s one of the most serious pests of peach trees, as they lay eggs within the ...

Is there anything new or compelling about pesticide safety, or is it always the same information repeated in a different manner? What could someone say about pesticide safety to capture your attention? Dr. Mark Matocha, associate professor and Extension specialist with the Ag and Environmental Safet...

Giving experiences as gifts is a big thing these days. As cut flower growers, we can use classes and events to make new customers fall in love with our flowers and grow our business in different geographic locations. Joining with existing groups or businesses expands the appeal. I have done classes wit...

Plant disease has always been an ongoing concern for farmers. Avoiding, preventing, treating and eliminating plant pathogens takes time, money and knowledge. Synthetic chemical controls have become a primary means of battling plant disease, but their efficacy, environmental safety and cost are leadi...

The TikTok train doesn’t seem to be slowing down any time soon, and that’s good news for farmers who want to reach out to younger generations, either to get them interested in agriculture in general or as potential customers. (Reminder: The youngest Millennials are now in their late twenties. That m...

Copper is an effective tool for managing bacterial spot and bacterial canker on stone fruits. These diseases, caused by Xanthomonas arboricola and Pseudomonas syringae organisms, overwinter in trees and can build up quickly in orchards. Applying the proper rate of copper at the right time can preven...

Thinking of greenhouses takes me back to my early childhood and my Grandfather Lamont’s small wood frame and glass greenhouse where he grew a mixture of ornamental plants and vegetables. I can still recall the earthy smell inside. My next encounter was working part-time for my friend Art Abbott Jr. ...

Perhaps you’re developing a new marketing plan to meet the needs of the current challenging environment. If so, consider several factors which may affect your strategies. Review and Revise : Commit to the time and effort this task requires. Review each section of your plan with an eye toward current...

Lori Baker is an engineer by trade but wanted a career change. When she and her husband Bob were ready to pursue their dream of farming, they started with a somewhat unusual crop. When the Bakers, both tea lovers, were in North Carolina, Bob came up with the idea of growing tea. They purchased 10 te...