Fruits

USHBC seeks Blueberry Leadership Program applications

The U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) is accepting applications for its Blueberry Leadership Program. The program elevates up-and-coming leaders in the blueberry industry, according to the USHBC. This will be the third class enrolled in... more »

Bill aims to increase Specialty Crop Block Grant funding

U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Laphonza Butler (D-California) have introduced a bill to increase the USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant program authorization by $15 million. The Specialty Crops Security Act increases the authorization for... more »

House, Senate Ag Committees release Farm Bill proposals

The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance (SCFBA) is applauding movement on a farm bill from the House and Senate Agriculture Committees. Both bodies released summaries of their proposals on May 1, with Senate committee chair... more »

Peach State seeks ag commodity commission members

Growers are being sought by the Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) to serve on the Peach State’s agriculture commodity commissions, including those for apples, blueberries, grapes and peaches. A dozen of Georgia’s agricultural commodity commissions... more »

Farm groups push back on new H-2A employee regulations

The Department of Labor (DOL) has issued its final rule on H-2A temporary worker protections that include allowing employees to invite labor and legal organizations to employer-provided housing. The rule, “Improving Protections for Workers in... more »

Georgia strawberry growers battling fungus

Many strawberry sites in Georgia are now suffering substantial plant mortality as the season progresses. Losses are not uniform, and some sites look pretty good. But unfortunately, many do not. If diseases continue to increase,... more »

New H-2A rule panned by Farm Bureau, NCAE

The Department of Labor (DOL) has issued a final rule on H-2A temporary worker protections that include self-advocacy provisions and allow employees to invite labor and legal organizations to employer-provided housing. The rule, “Improving Protections... more »

California strawberry grower Mayra Paniagua receives award

Mayra Paniagua, a second-generation California grower, has received the Strawberry Industry Impact Award from the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce. Paniagua's parents migrated from Mexico, starting out as pickers and eventually moving up to... more »