California’s stone fruit orchards are the lifeblood of the state’s agricultural identity, producing bountiful peaches, plums, cherries, and nectarines enjoyed worldwide. Yet, with the 2024 growing season came a formidable challenge: an uptick in Spotted Wing Drosophila (SWD) infestations. This invasive pest, targeting ripening fruit, has posed significant threats to fruit quality and yield, leaving […]
What is Farm Management Software and how does it differ from Precision Agriculture? Definition: Farm Management Software (FMS) is a specialized subset of business management tools tailored for the agricultural sector. It’s designed to manage the daily operations of farms, ensuring efficient collection and storage of all essential business data. Unlike the broader tech trends, […]
Looking for a helpful checklist to prepare for FSMA 204? If you grow fresh produce on a family farm, this article is for you. November 14th, 2024 The new requirements for the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) will come into effect on January 20th, 2026. While 2026 might feel far away, 14 months boils down […]
One year from today, FSMA 204 comes into effect. How can farms both inside the US and supplying the US get prepared? January 20th, 2025 FSMA 204 is coming next season, but there’s no need to panic. There are plenty of tools to help farms prepare for this shift in reporting. To make the process […]
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a cornerstone of sustainable agriculture, offering effective strategies to manage pests and diseases while minimizing impacts on the environment and human health. At the heart of advancing IPM education and resources for the fruit industry in NY is Anna Wallis, the Fruit IPM Coordinator at New York State Integrated Pest […]
The number of records farms need to keep is steadily increasing. Get a quick overview of the types of records commonly required across US farms. With FSMA 204 joining the list of reporting requirements for US farms, it’s time to do a quick recap of the most common types of reports required. This isn’t a […]
About every six months or so, Casey Darrow used to do a Google search: record-keeping apps for fruit growers. He needed a better way to keep track of the pesticide applications on his 110-acre farm in Vermont, Green Mountain Orchards. But it seemed like every app he tried had no idea what fruit farmers needed. […]
Apple scab, caused by the fungus *Venturia inaequalis*, remains one of the most significant challenges for apple growers in Michigan and New York and across Northeastern North America. The 2024 growing season provided valuable insights into effective Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies to combat this persistent disease. By reflecting on lessons learned, insights from our […]
Meet Juliet Evelyn Carroll, a seasoned plant pathologist with over 20 years of experience in Integrated Pest Management (IPM). During her time as the IPM Fruit Coordinator at Cornell University, Juliet dedicated her career to helping farmers adopt sustainable pest management practices. Now retired, she remains actively engaged in promoting IPM to the next generation […]
