Latest Fruit farming News
USDA says Maine blueberry growers had a big 2021
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Federal data released this week confirmed that Maine's wild blueberry growers had a strong season in 2021. Maine is the only state with commercial-scale wild blueberry growers in the U.S. Growers said last year that they felt the crop bounced back from a...
Bucket list reimagined: Mindful return to the Greek islands
ASTYPALEA, Greece (AP) — In a small bay flanked by thyme-covered hills and a medieval castle-topped village, I floated in perfect solitude on the shimmering Aegean Sea. Last summer was my fifth year traveling to different Greek islands like far-flung Astypalea. During the pandemic,...
Callery pears: An invader 'worse than murder hornets!'
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Stinky but handsome and widely popular landscape trees have spawned aggressive invaders, creating thickets that overwhelm native plants and sport nasty four-inch spikes. Bradford pears and 24 other ornamental trees were developed from Callery pears — a species...
Editorial Roundup: New England
Boston Globe. April 19, 2022. Editorial: Another tax day, and high time for a tax break The Massachusetts House budget leaves taxpayers waiting for relief. Tuesday is the moment of truth for Massachusetts tax procrastinators — you know who you are. ...
Yakima growers worry about cold snap impact on fruit crop
YAKIMA, Wash. (AP) — A hovering arctic jet stream has brought biting cold, snow, rain and hail that is concerning growers across central Washington's Yakima Valley. Grower Mike Saunders with Apple King—Pro Orchard Management said orchards were laden with snow on Wednesday, an...
Russian war worsens fertilizer crunch, risking food supplies
KIAMBU COUNTY, Kenya (AP) — Monica Kariuki is about ready to give up on farming. What is driving her off her 10 acres of land outside Nairobi isn’t bad weather, pests or blight — the traditional agricultural curses — but fertilizer: It costs too much. Despite thousands of...
Ponchatoula readies for return of the Strawberry Festival
PONCHATOULA, La. (AP) — One of the state's largest free events, second only to Mardi Gras, returns Friday to mark its 50th anniversary after the coronavirus pandemic shut it down for two years. The Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival will run through Sunday, bringing thousands of...
Late frost ices over French vineyards, threatens fruit crops
CHABLIS, France (AP) — French vintners are lighting candles to thaw their grapevines to save them from a late frost following a winter warm spell, a temperature swing that is threatening fruit crops in multiple countries. Ice-coated vines stretched across hillsides around Chablis...
From farm to track: Chastain puts watermelons in spotlight
Ross Chastain started the NASCAR season with one watermelon and it traveled with him from track to track. The fruit lasted five weeks before “The Watermelon Man” had to freshen his supply. The eighth generation watermelon farmer from Florida did not call home and ask his family...
Ross Chastain bangs Trackhouse Racing into 1st victory lane
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Pitbull is somewhere smashing watermelons and drinking champagne. Ross Chastain and Trackhouse Racing became first-time Cup winners Sunday when Chastain bashed and banged his way around the final lap of overtime at the Circuit of the Americas road course. ...
