by Courtney Llewellyn
During the Plant Ag & Pesticide Regulation Committee meeting which took place as part of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture Winter Policy Conference on Feb. 24, a policy amendment for the promotion of hemp was presented by Vermont Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets Anson Tebbetts. (more…)
by Sally Colby
Each year, growers are challenged with managing disease and insect pests, both of which are the focus of scouting programs. Emily Pochubay, tree fruit IPM educator at the Northwest Michigan Horticulture Research Center, discussed an important and potentially devastating orchard pest. (more…)
Marlene Aitchison helps prepare seedlings for the upcoming spring rush. Photo courtesy of Landon’s Greenhouse
by Sally Colby
When Keith and Jennifer Kershaw were asked to become partners in a greenhouse business in Wyoming, Keith jumped at the opportunity to move back to his hometown. (more…)
Rogue Valley Roses specializes in antique and rare roses. Established in 2002, the wholesale business has around 1,700 different varieties of roses. Photo courtesy of Rogue Valley Roses
by Aliya Hall
Janet Inada’s love of roses was first seeded by her grandmother. Inada grew up in Missouri, where her grandmother’s garden was a “glory.” (more…)
by Courtney Llewellyn
The USDA Final Rule on hemp goes into effect on March 22, and it includes some important changes from the previous rules on growing the crop. Alyssa Collins, Ph.D., director of Penn State’s Southeast Agricultural Research and Extension Center, discussed the permit and policy updates for growers. (more…)
AAS 2020 Breeders Cup winner Dr. Jianping Ren. Photo courtesy of AAS
by Courtney Llewellyn
More than 90 participants came together virtually for the All-America Selections organization update meeting in early February, which covered updates on 2020 activities and insights into planned 2021 events and activities. (more…)
by Karl H. Kazaks
High tunnels provide a practical way for growers of vegetables and cut flowers to extend their growing season and increase the profitability of their operation. Just as with open field production, however, soil health in high tunnels plays an important part in the cultivation of crops. Recently, NRCS hosted a webinar on crop rotation and management strategies within organic high tunnels with the aim to help growers maximize their long-term success. (more…)
In a video shared Feb. 3, Justin Lane highlighted the red anthurium and showed viewers how he packs the plants for shipping.
Image courtesy of tiktok.com/skgreenhouse
by Courtney Llewellyn
It’s always about the next big thing, whether it’s a new model of phone or the new “superfood.” The big thing in content creation and sharing right now is TikTok. (more…)
by Sally Colby
Strawberries are a valuable crop, and although protecting them from late winter freezes can be tricky, understanding the nuances of frost protection gives growers an advantage. Dr. Barclay Poling, Department of Horticultural Science at North Carolina State University, described advances in frost protection. (more…)
by Courtney Llewellyn
While high tunnels are generally seen as boons for extended growing seasons, they’re not without their issues. Diagnosing the problems that arise is the first step in correcting them, and that was the subject of the second session in the three-part webinar series, “High Tunnels After Dark: 2020 High Tunnel Production Conference,” presented by Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont Extension Services. (more…)
by Stephen Wagner
When you Google Francesca Hand, you’ll find a plethora of results – nursery management, Ohio Lawn Care Association, Master in Plant Health Management, Pretty Plants Doc, ornamental plant pathology. In a 151-page book titled “Plant Pathology in Ohio,” we learn that she is double degreed (B.Sc. and M.Sc.) in agricultural sciences and technologies and Ph.D. in plant pathology, all from the University of Florence, Italy. (more…)
by Courtney Llewellyn
Excavating ground for any reason can sometimes be a dangerous task. You may never know what’s below the surface if you don’t take certain steps first. Not taking those precautions can even be against the law.
Recent California legislation created a new type of “dig ticket” for those working the normal business operations of a farm. (more…)
