No matter what’s happening around us, one lovely constant remains at this time of year—the coastal communities wondrous and highly-anticipated autumn season is upon us and, on the picturesque coast around the World Pumpkin Capital of Half Moon Bay, it’s always stunningly spectacular. The dazzling journey is its own reward … the breathtaking views of seaside farm country dotted with …
California Avocado Commission — More than 230 operators from 129+ restaurant brands joined the California Avocado Commission at the Flavor Experience Conference 2023 hosted in San Diego, California from August 20 – 22. The three-day event, hosted in California avocado growing territory, provided CAC with the opportunity to showcase the local terroir, California difference and seasonal availability of the fruit …
There are countless immigrant farmworkers that spend most of their lives laboring to feed the world in states such as California, and struggle without the benefits of citizenship and any clear path to get there. Watch this brief interview with Manuel Cunha, President of the Nisei Farmers League, as he and many others take a stand to support the rights …
Citrus Pest & Disease Prevention Program — A Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas)-positive Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) sample has been collected from a residential property in Ventura County in the Santa Paula area and has been confirmed by the Citrus Research Board’s Jerry Dimitman Laboratory. The positive sample – comprised of 12 adult psyllids from a residential citrus tree in the Southwest area of …
Efficient nitrogen fertilization management for all irrigated crops is gaining much attention as the Irrigated Lands Programs in the Central Valley and Central Coast begin efforts to minimize nitrate movement past the root zone of fruits, nuts and vegetables. The first in a series of seven educational videos on nitrogen fertilizer management is now available online. The video series is …
A Hmong small-scale farmer in Merced County has saved about 14.4 acre-inches of water annually and reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 12.406 MTCO2e per year (equivalent to the greenhouse gas emissions produced from burning 1,396 gallons of gasoline) after upgrading her farm. Rosie Lee – who sells Asian greens, green beans, corn, strawberries and other produce at her farm stand …
The USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service has forecasted contracted production for California processing tomatoes at 12.9 million tons for 2023, averaging 50.8 tons per acre. The current production forecast is 23% above last year’s contracted production of 10.5 million tons, and 2% above the May forecast. The projected harvested acreage of tomatoes grown under contract is 254,000 acres, up 13% from 2022. …
USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is issuing a Stakeholder Registry announcement extending the public comment on two pathway risk assessments and three potential regulatory policy options for Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) in fresh tomato and pepper fruit for consumption and plant propagative material (including seeds). The public will have an extra 30 days to provide comments to the …
Texas A&M AgriLife Research scientists and collaborators at Iowa State University have developed a sensor chip that can detect many disease pathogens with 10 times the sensitivity of currently available methods. The chip also eliminates the need for chemical dye reagents typically used in the diagnostic process. The new technology shows promise for rapid, low-cost point-of-care diagnostic capabilities in plants, foods, …
The new National Watermelon Promotion Board (NWPB) Watermelon Supplier Database is the perfect platform to connect retail and foodservice buyers with suppliers as the summer season takes off for America’s favorite melon. Each year the NWPB staff promote watermelon to retail and foodservice audiences, both in-person and digitally. When a contact asks where they can get watermelon, this new database …
