Combining organic and chemical tactics to tame troublesome nematodes is a pressing priority for modern cherry production. In a focused field study, Ali Yaghoubi and Marisol Quintanilla of Michigan State explored how blended management methods can protect roots, preserve productivity and promote a mo...

With graduation season upon us – along with spring and summer wedding season – some revelers may be tempted to celebrate by tossing confetti in the air. While exciting in the moment, those little pieces of plastic can cause long-lasting harm to our environment. Knowing this, Isabella Dodson of Texas...

Blueberries bring bright bursts of flavor, yet behind their sweet success sits a stubborn struggle with soil and supply. Shallow-rooted and sensitive, these plants push their roots less than a foot into the ground and favor sandy, swiftly draining soils. Growers can grapple with keeping moisture con...

Many growers irrigate crops, and those who don’t often wish they did. If a profitable crop is in the ground, it probably pays to initiate irrigation on the farm. “The goal of irrigation is to supply the water that rainfall doesn’t so that water isn’t the limiting factor for yield,” said Purdue Unive...

Strawberry season will soon be upon us (if it isn’t already). It’s a popular crop – number three among fruits produced in the U.S. and constant consumer craving. That demand and the fruit’s adaptability for controlled environment agriculture (CEA) systems makes strawberry an attractive fruit crop fo...

Apple orchards across Michigan are facing a quiet but consequential challenge as invasive ambrosia beetles burrow and build fungal farms within vulnerable trees. Research presented by Jenna Byrne and Juliana Wilson of Michigan State University’s Department of Entomology tracked the timing, territory...

Imagine blackberry growing becoming more streamlined – literally. Pairwise, a company based in Durham, NC, uses proprietary plant gene editing technology to deliver breakthroughs that benefit farmers, consumers and the planet. At last year’s American Society for Horticultural Science meeting, they s...

A century of soil, sweat and stewardship thrives in Grand Rapids. At Ed Dunneback & Girls Farm Market the rows run long, the roots run deep and the family story stretches across five generations of growers, gatherers and gracious hosts. Long before festivals filled the fields and families frolicked ...

It’s been a few years since Will Glazik concluded his North Central Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education (SARE) grant titled “Exploring Flavor & Yield of Heirloom Corn Varieties for Spirit Production.” But he’s still taking the time to share the results with the farming community. Glazik and...