by Elizabeth A. Tomlin
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. (more…)
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. (more…)
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 or chemical injury can all cause sick plants. (more…)
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). (more…)
by Bill and Mary Weaver
Although Mark Timm is a fifth-generation farmer on his family’s farm in Altura, MN, he is a first-generation vegetable grower. He and his wife Laurie are skilled growers and astute marketers. Starting in early February by seeding vegetable plants — including bell peppers, kale and head lettuce in the smallest of their three greenhouses — the Timms grow a consistent quality of a wide variety of fresh vegetables. (more…)
by Sanne Kure-Jensen
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. (more…)
by Elizabeth A. Tomlin
In a recent webinar hosted by e-GRO, photoperiodic responses and lighting strategies were reported on by Chris Currey, Iowa State University; Roberto Lopez, Michigan State University; and Neil Mattson, Cornell University. (more…)
by Sally Colby
When employees are interviewed and hired, they want to know about pay and other compensation. Lisa Holden, Penn State Extension, says employers need to explain to employees that cash wages and total compensation are two different things. (more…)
Marketing plans are meant to be reviewed and updated periodically; doing so annually is a good practice. Mention marketing plans though and some owners and managers groan at the thought of time-consuming research. To simplify the process, make a marketing plan personal, relevant and timely. (more…)
Fire blight is a destructive bacterial disease of apples and pears caused by Erwinia amylovora. Because the disease can systemically infect trees, it can have significant impacts on yield and the viability of the entire orchard. The disease, however, can be controlled. (more…)
Highlights of the 2017 promotional campaign were presented to Christmas tree producers across the country via a campaign summary video.
“The video provides highlights and reach numbers for the campaign in an entertaining fashion,” commented 2017 Promotion Committee Chairperson, Mark Arkills. (more…)
The powdery scab caused by the primitive organism Spongospora subterranea f.sp. subterranea can be devastating to a potato crop when conditions are right. Even when conditions are wrong, its spores remain in the soil until the right moisture, temperature and potato host are present. This is a patient microbe, whose spore balls can remain virulent for 20 years. (more…)