Author: Terence Bradshaw

Happy new year- UVM Extension Agriculture Engineering has created a series of videos on project planning for postharvest operations that may be of interest to fruit growers. While the videos are largely based on vegetable farms, the principles regarding efficient workflow, sanitary design and operation, and food safety are the same for all produce operations.…

First, the Vermont Tree Fruit Growers Association annual meeting will be held online on March 1, 2022 12:00-2:00 PM. Stay tuned for more information. The Northeast Extension Fruit Consortium is again hosting a series of webinars this winter for fruit producers. Topics may be of interest to apple, stone fruit, grape, and small fruit growers.…

As an author of some of the material in this series- last year on the apple industry, this year on the grape industry and how to prune grapevines- I’d like to suggest this locally-produced, locally-relevant book if you’re still thinking about gifts this holiday season. https://vermontalmanac.org/ Following up on last year’s inaugural edition of Vermont…

Good morning: The New England Fruit and Vegetable Conference, traditionally held every other year in Manchester, NH, will be hosted December 13-17 in an online format- the in-person conference will return next year. There are two sessions on tree fruit (Tuesday 12/14 and Thursday 12/16), plus several other sessions on fruit, vegetable, soil health, climate…

Passing on this excellent and well-timed opportunity for food safety training from Cornell and UVM Extension. -TB Good afternoon growers, We hope the end of October is treating you all well. I’m passing along the following training opportunity from Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Eastern NY Commercial Horticulture team, the Harvest New York program, and UVM Extension’s…

Passing this short survey on from our UVM Extension colleagues Vern Grubinger and Laura Johnson. They are hoping to have this survey data by November 8. Hello growers! We are developing plans for University of Vermont Extension / Vermont Vegetable and Berry Grower’s Association research and education projects aimed at supporting wild pollinators on farms…

From Gina Clithero at VT Agency of Agriculture, Food, and Markets: The Agency of Agriculture’s Produce Program is providing farms with new containers and cleaning supplies to improve food safety and efficiency. Forty approved applicants will receive a complete Produce Safety Supply Kit, including include a bucket, brush, squeegee, and a custom number of containers…

Passing this on from the VT Agency of Agriculture,, Food, and Markets. I know the timing is tough for apple and grape growers, but it may be good to have a seat at the table. Public Input Meetings for Agriculture There are upcoming opportunities on 9/13 and 9/14 to make your voice heard on issues…

In the time since I last reached out, some orchards have been deluged with rain, others haver received welcome and needed moisture. As we approach harvest (I picked my first, just under-ripe Williams Pride apple today), it’s important to get our ducks in a row. Spraying should be wrapping up soon. I hope growers have…