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3 weeks ago | 
fruitgrowersnews.com | Doug Ohlemeier
Growers participating in orchard tours and sessions at the International Fruit Tree Association’s (IFTA) annual conference learned how to be more efficient in their orchard operations. Sessions highlighted the difficult situation facing apple growers. “We’re in a survival time,” said Justin Finkler, operations manager of Riveridge Produce Marketing in Sparta, Michigan, during a Feb. 19 grower panel discussion.
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3 weeks ago | 
fruitgrowersnews.com | Doug Ohlemeier
Efficiencies, smart marketing and the willingness to diversify have helped Blake’s Orchard & Cider Mill be successful in growing and processing apples for almost 80 years. In addition to apples, the third-generation family-owned and -operated Armada, Michigan, orchard grows a variety of crops, including asparagus and tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, pumpkins and strawberries. Diversification is important to Blake’s Orchard, an hour’s drive north of Detroit.
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Jan 22, 2025 | 
nationalnutgrower.com | Doug Ohlemeier
Charles Hall, the former executive director of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA), has died. Hall, 74, died Jan. 20. Hall was the GFVGA’s executive director since the association was organized in 1996. Though he retired October 2021, Hall remained active in the organization, aiding the group’s efforts, particularly its H-2A labor reform push, which he discussed with growers at GFVGA’s exhibit at the Jan.
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Jan 20, 2025 | 
nationalnutgrower.com | Doug Ohlemeier
NAFDMA, the International Agritourism Association, is sponsoring a webinar to address how farm marketers can improve farm store sales. “Understanding key factors limiting farm store retail success” is scheduled for Jan. 29 at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Jonathan Raduns, founder of Merchandise Food, a retail strategy, merchandising and profit optimization consulting company, is the scheduled presenter. “Many retailers unwittingly create barriers to incremental sales.
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Jan 16, 2025 | 
nationalnutgrower.com | Doug Ohlemeier
The Equitable Food Initiative (EFI) is working to recognize the skilled individuals who work tirelessly every day to bring fresh fruits and vegetables to Americans’ tables. The Farmworker of the Year Award is open to all farm laborers and production workers who are not in a managerial or administrative role.
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Jan 8, 2025 | 
nationalnutgrower.com | Doug Ohlemeier |Precision Ag
After a court ruling reinstated a contested filing requirement, businesses owners face a Jan. 13 deadline to comply with the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA). On Dec. 23, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit granted a stay of the Dec. 3 injunction that halted enforcement of the CTA, which many organizations, including the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), say places an undue burden on small business owners.
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Dec 12, 2024 | 
nationalnutgrower.com | Doug Ohlemeier
Specialty crop competitiveness assistance funds from the USDA are available. Applications are being accepted for a federal program providing $2 billion to help U.S. specialty crop growers remain competitive. Eligible producers must submit applications and other forms for the Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops (MASC) program at local Farm Service Agency offices. You can search for your local USDA Service Center and agency office online. Applications opened Dec. 10 and close Jan. 8, 2025.
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Dec 10, 2024 | 
nationalnutgrower.com | Doug Ohlemeier |Precision Ag
Michigan State University Extension is updating and redefining its role. In early December, MSU released a newly completed 2024 Strategic Direction Plan for Extension, the community outreach arm of the university. Guided by extensive input gathered through interviews and listening sessions held across the state last fall, this roadmap reflects MSU Extension’s commitment to tackling Michigan’s most pressing needs with a bold, community-centered approach.
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Dec 9, 2024 | 
nationalnutgrower.com | Doug Ohlemeier |Precision Ag
The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) is commending a federal court’s halting of a federal form business filing requirement that could have jeopardized growers through unknowingly facing fines and imprisonment. A federal court in the Eastern District of Texas issued a nationwide injunction that halted enforcement of the Beneficial Ownership Information filing requirements under the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA).
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Dec 6, 2024 | 
nationalnutgrower.com | Doug Ohlemeier |Precision Ag
Early registration is ending soon for the Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference. The Jan. 9-11 conference returns to the Savannah Convention Center in Savannah, Georgia. The show is billed as one of the South’s premier fruit and vegetable educational conference and trade show for growers, packers and shippers. The event is designed to deliver education, leadership and growth to the produce industry.
