by Sally Colby

According to the FDA, the Produce Safety Rule is a set of science-based minimum standards for the safe growing, harvesting, packing and holding of fruits and vegetables grown for human consumption. The rule is part of the FDA’s Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA).

by Sally Colby

Many experienced vegetable growers maintain at least a few perennial crops such as asparagus, rhubarb, garlic and horseradish. Bill Davison, Extension educator at the University of Illinois, said there are more choices when it comes to perennials.

by Tamara Scully

Soil health happens in a cumulative manner, year after year, when attention is paid to sequestering carbon. Carbon helps to add stability to soil aggregates and to enhance soil water retention and soil nutrient retention. It is part of a healthy ecosystem for soil microbiota.

by Tamara Scully

Hybrid seeds, the result of crossing two different species in the same genus, or different varieties of the same species, are common in farming. Hybridization provides some distinct advantages, combining desirable traits from each parent plant together, such as disease resistance, early or late harvest times, easier harvesting, bigger fruits or better flavors. With hybridization, the first generation offspring is stable and uniform, and genetically identical.

I can’t think of a more important topic for growers to know about than how soil pH affects plant growth and development. What is soil pH? If you remember back to your high school chemistry days, pH stands for parts hydrogen. Hydrogen ions exist in the soil and are there as a result of plant decomposition, causing the soil to be acidic, as in the eastern U.S. In the Midwest, the soil is made up of decomposing limestone, or calcium carbonate, causing the soil to be basic or alkaline.

by Tamara Scully

Farmers are expected to recognize and moderate causes of plant disease. From plant abiotic stressors such as mineral deficiencies and water availability or poor germination due to soil temperatures to pest and pathogen control, farmers need to monitor and maintain crop health.

Employees, family members and partners quizzed about business complications often offer up the same phrase: “We didn’t fully understand what was expected of us!”

By the time you read this, winter will be heading toward its end, either by crawling along slowly or by happily retreating so that the sun can finally make its triumphant return. That means it is almost time for another planting season – but for now, we are still often constrained by waiting for the seasons to change.

When it comes to evaluating your business, are you more of a numbers cruncher or an introspective learner? Can you be both? Should you be both? (more…)