Author: Terence Bradshaw

The call is open for producers, processors, cooperatives, associations, and similar firms to apply for USDA Value-Added Producer Grants. For more information, go to: https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/business-programs/value-added-producer-grants. Proposals are due at the end of April. The VAPG program funds business and market expansion with the goal of increasing income, jobs, and economic activity through conversion of commodities…

The Lake Ontario Fruit Program released an excellent video that details precision pruning of mature tall spindle trees to help reduce biennialism and reduce subsequent thinning need. See it at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29cF8yOKup0

Passing this on from Jake Jacobs at UVM Risk Management. -TB As I mentioned [in the VTFGA meeting] today, there are proposed changes to RMA Apple Crop Insurance and USDA has extended the comment period to April 15, 2022. Would you mind sending the information below out to your apple growers’ email listserve or via…

Passing this on from the VT Agency of Agriculture. -TB Funding is available to make health and safety repairs/improvements to farmworker housing with 0% interest loans up to $30,000. The loans are forgivable over 10 years, as long as the improved housing continues to be maintained and used for farmworker housing. The Daniel.Baker) and Champlain…

Here’s a reminder that the Vermont Tree Fruit Growers Association annual meeting will be this Tuesday, March 1. 12:00 – 1:30 PM, on Zoom. https://go.uvm.edu/22applezoom The meeting is free and does not require registration. VTFGA membership renewal can be done at: https://vt-tree-fruit-growers-association-annual-dues.cheddarup.com/ See you Tuesday, Terry VTFGA_126_2022agenda&registration.pdf

Hi: Sorry about the late announcement, this has gone out to the VTFGA list via (snail) mail already but this list is a bigger net to cast out to the grower community. The 2022 Vermont Tree Fruit Association annual meeting will be held on Zoom, 12:00 noon – 1:30 PM. I think we all hope…

Passing this on from Vermont state entomologist Judy Rosowsky. My take, supported by Judy, is that this is a reasonable approach toward elimination of one of the remaining uses of a chemical that has good reason to be removed from use worldwide. We agree, as do the officials at USDA we’ve met with, that this…

Please share widely where appropriate. https://go.uvm.edu/vtgrapesurvey The University of Vermont Fruit Program is conducting a short survey on alternative viticultural practices in the region and growers’ satisfaction with them. This survey will help inform and develop a research agenda for the region supporting diverse management philosophies. It should take 5-15 minutes to complete. We are…

Registration is open now for a Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training on March 8 and 9, 2022. The training will be delivered remotely via Zoom video conference by the University of Vermont Extension Produce Safety Team and the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets Produce Program. This food safety training is designed for fruit…

Passing this on from our colleagues at University of New Hampshire. -TB UNH Extension Grafting Workshop for Commercial Orchardists Please consider attending our upcoming Grafting Workshop for Commercial Orchardists to be held on the afternoon of February 16th at Poverty Lane Orchards in Lebanon, New Hampshire. Please note that space is limited and registration is…