Word is getting out in the media about the crop loss from the May 18 freeze. I am trying to manage the messaging a bit to nudge writers to encourage customers to support orchards and other farms this year. We … Continue reading →

By now vineyards should have shown the effects of the May 18 freeze event (and a little damage here and there from the less severe May 26 frost that some sites may have seen) and it appears that, by and … Continue reading →

Sorry I won’t be able to make this but anyone from the fruit industry who wants to share your experiences relating to the May 18 freeze is welcome to join. And if you haven’t contacted FSA yet, be sure to … Continue reading →

Good morning: I spoke with USDA Farm Service Agency officials last week and they are receiving relatively few reports of the crop damage from the May 18 freeze event. We are anticipating some form of federal assistance to come, which … Continue reading →

It’s finally looking like there’s a better than zero chance for rain in the next few days. Everyone, regardless of the status of your apple crop, should be covered going into this (hopeful) rain event. If you have fruit, plum … Continue reading →

We have been collecting damage data from orchards across the state this week, and the news is generally not good. It does seem like we have three classes of damage: near-complete crop loss inland and Connecticut Valley, some degree of … Continue reading →

The devastating freeze event that nearly all of us saw on May 18 will have a massive impact on the 2023 Vermont apple and grape crops. I have met with Vermont Secretary of Agriculture Anson Tebbetts and representatives from our … Continue reading →

I spent a bit of the day fielding calls and assessing trees from a few counties after last night’s freeze event. Growers in the Champlain Valley largely escaped extensive freeze damage; I doubt Grand Isle County even saw a light … Continue reading →

As I scan the temperatures around the state on Weather Underground this morning, it looks as I expected, that most orchards are likely fine (no damage) or okay (a little tolerable damage) after the freeze event we’re in. Some orchards … Continue reading →

Vermont orchards and vineyards are in varying states of vulnerability and likelihood of frost damage going into tonight’s expected cold event. At UVM orchard in South Burlington, we are at about 50% petal fall on McIntosh and the vineyard is … Continue reading →