red apple fruit with black background

North Carolina Apple Growers Association Notice of Assessment Referendum

Jim Rogers Apple, North Carolina

The North Carolina (N.C.) Apple Growers Association will be conducting a referendum for the assessment of apples sold to first purchasers in North Carolina on Tuesday, June 27, 2023. Voting will take place at County Extension Offices in counties where commercial apple growing occurs, during regular business hours. The method and amount of assessment being considered will remain as it …

Elderberry Grows in Popularity Due to Health Benefits

Jim Rogers Fruit, Specialty Crops, Vegetables

By Maegan Beatty Elderberry (Sambucus spp.) is a fruit crop that is suitable for both commercial and home growing. In April, the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) hosted an orchard field day, where Dave Jarnagin of Hyldemoer and Company gave an educational presentation on the elderberry and elderflower. Elderberries are native to North America but …

UF/IFAS Hosts Orchard Field Day

Jim Rogers Fruit, Specialty Crops, Vegetables

By Maegan Beatty Last week, the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) hosted an Orchard Field Day at the Plant Science Research and Education Unit in Citra, Florida. The field day served as an educational event for commercial farmers, home gardeners and industry representatives. Attendees gathered to learn more about fruit crop diversification options. Speakers covered …

North Carolina Blueberry Growers Gather for Annual Open House

Jim Rogers Fruit, Specialty Crops

By Frank Giles The North Carolina Blueberry Council presented its 57th annual open house and trade show on Jan. 10–11 in Fayetteville. The event drew area growers to learn about the latest research from North Carolina State University (NC State) and to check out the latest products and services available on the trade show floor. Bill Cline, NC State entomologist …

seasonal

Nutrition Standards Change Increased Fruits, Vegetables in School Meals

Clint Thompson Fruit

From National Association of Farm Broadcasters A change in the school meal nutrition standards in 2012 was a win for the specialty crop industry. It spurred changed in the type of foods that schools purchased, which increased fruits and vegetables. U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Economic Research Service released data on Monday that shows following the change in standards, schools …

Giving Blueberries a Boost to Continue Consumption Growth

Jim Rogers Fruit, Specialty Crops

By Frank Giles The Florida Blueberry Growers Association hosted its annual short course in Howey-in-the-Hills, Florida, in October. The meeting featured educational sessions ranging from optimizing pollination and marketing to chilli thrips control and new varieties. Growers were in good spirits at the meeting, despite impacts from Hurricane Ian. While some growers further south in the state took a hard …

N.C. State to Host Apple Field Day

Clint Thompson Apple

North Carolina (N.C.) State University’s annual Apple Field Day will occur on Thursday, July 28, starting at 4 p.m. at the Mountain Horticultural Crops Research and Extension Center in Mills River, North Carolina. Producers and industry experts are welcome to attend the free event. The N.C. State Apple Team will provide information on various topics related to apple production. Such …

UGA Fruit Pathologist Inducted Into IPM Hall of Fame

Jim Rogers Fruit, Pests, Research

By Emily Cabrera The Southern Integrated Pest Management Center (Southern IPM Center) has inducted University of Georgia Cooperative Extension fruit pathologist Phil Brannen into the Integrated Pest Management Hall of Fame for his significant contributions to commercial fruit growers throughout the southern U.S. over the past 30 years. Each year, the Southern IPM Center recognizes an industry member for extraordinary …