North America

Huanglongbing is a bacterial infection that is carried by a tiny insect called the Asian Citrus psyllid. Both the species and the disease originate in Asia but have spread to other parts of the world, including Mexico and the United States. Other large citrus-producing states such as Florida and Texas are already battling considerable citrus greening epidemics in their...

Hawaii macadamia nut farmers recently wrapped up their best season in nearly a decade thanks to strong prices and increased production that raised the value of one of the state’s biggest crops to an estimated $40 million. Farmers in the state produced 46 million pounds of macadamias in the 12-month season ended June 30, up 12 percent from 41 million...

Meet Mariana Lizeth González Sánchez The future of agriculture is bright when looking at young people like Mariana Lizeth González Sánchez, a current member of the National Mango Board. With nearly 8 years’ experience in the mango industry, Sanchez is the manager of exports at EB International. In her role, Sanchez is responsible for purchasing, logistics, exporting and marketing of...

Almonds, vilified during the current drought for being one of California’s thirstier crops, have a surprisingly small carbon footprint compared to other nutrient-rich crops, reports a team of researchers at the University of California, Davis, and UC Agriculture and Natural Resources. The findings are important for evaluating the environmental impact of California-grown almonds, which make up 80 percent of the...

A long legal battle centered over free-speech rights between a group of Valley grape growers and the state commission designated to help them advertise will be heard by the California Supreme Court. The growers, including Delano Farms Co., Gerawan Farming, Fourstar Fruit and Bidart Bros., contend that the Fresno-based California Table Grape Commission violates First Amendment rights by collecting...

Frost and winter might reduce this year's harvest by about 80% compared to last year. While the figures are not definitive yet this year's results might well be below 50 mio. pounds (compared to 68.5 million pounds in 2014). 2013 was the worst year in decades with only 24 million pounds harvested.

by: Pam Eubanks Senior Editor, Your Observer EAST COUNTY — Janet Mixon looks out on rows and rows of citrus trees at Mixon Fruit Farms. Until 15 years ago, the 50-acre property had trees from the 1800s producing juicy oranges. Today, all the trees on the property have been replaced — some several times — due to citrus canker and citrus...

Haskaps are nearly ripe and ready for picking. The tiny fruit, rare anywhere outside of Hokkaido, Japan, is only found in one spot on the Kenai Peninsula. Brian and Laurie Olson, owners of Alaska Berries, are not holding the location of their rare stash hostage. “In ten years I think everyone will have heard of this berry,” Brian Olson said....

According to a recent survey by the CDC only 15% of the american population eats fruits and vegetables regularly. The shocking facts: 76% americans did not meet fruit intake recommendations, and 87% did not meet vegetable intake recommendations. Eating more fruits and vegetables adds nutrients to diets, reduces the risk for heart disease, stroke, and some cancers, and helps manage...

FITCHBURG -- The Worcester County Sheriff's Department has unlocked the secret to graffiti prevention, and the answer isn't community outreach programs, increased police patrols, or bans on spray paint. The answer is walnuts. "What we use 99.9 percent of the time is this ground walnut shell, which is exactly what it sounds like," said Officer Dan Joslyn of the...