For North Carolina blueberry growers, pest management is a regular part of their work, and for the most part they know what to expect from year to year. However, in recent years, an unfamiliar visitor has been turning up beneath the soil. Now researchers are working to understand it and figure out how to deal … Read more
Developing better blueberry varieties is only part of the work needed to keep North Carolina’s blueberry industry thriving. Protecting those plants from diseases, and helping growers respond when new threats emerge, is just as important. That work falls to researchers like Bill Cline and Caleb Bollenbacher, Extension plant pathologists with North Carolina State University based … Read more
North Carolina blueberry farmers have some solid options when it comes to what cultivated varieties – or cultivars – of blueberries they grow, but various demands on those farmers mean they’re always in need of improved blueberries that meet their evolving needs. That’s where blueberry breeding research comes into play, along with the research stations … Read more
Tucked just north of Wilmington, the Horticultural Crops Research Station at Castle Hayne sits in the warm, sandy soils of New Hanover County – a landscape uniquely suited to small fruit research. With 111 acres split between two sites, the station supports one of the largest public blueberry-breeding programs in the world while also hosting … Read more
While strawberries are the first fruit of spring, blueberries, blackberries and raspberries quickly follow as spring gives way to summer. They also have a pretty big fan base, which has helped contribute to the success of Dr. Young’s Pond Berry Farm in Harnett County operated by Betty and Stan Trustman and their two grown sons … Read more
Although North Carolina is in the middle of winter, some of your favorite summer fruits are getting attention on farms across the state. No, that’s not a reference to chocolate-covered strawberries you may have for Valentine’s Day. (If that’s a treat for you this February, your strawberries are likely coming from Florida or California unless … Read more
North Carolina blueberry farmers in Pender, Bladen and Robeson counties are surveying their fields to assess crop damage from a recent spring storm with hail. Some strawberry growers also saw damage. Spring is a great time of year, but it can also be a tricky time of year for farmers. Late freezes, hail and strong … Read more
With a long, wet winter and now Easter behind us, field work and land preparation for the 2021 crop is in full swing. With the soils drying out over the past week, many acres have been tilled and/or burndown herbicides have been applied to row crop acres. There are still low-lying and/or poorly drained areas … Read more
Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler sits down each week with Southern Farm Network’s Mike Davis to discuss “Today’s Topic.” Activity remains steady at farmers markets across the state as blueberry season gets underway. Summary of Talking points: Activity at the state operated farmers markets has remained steady as we continue to navigate this COVID-19 pandemic. I … Read more
Each week we round up the latest N.C. agricultural headlines from news outlets across the state and country, as well as excerpts from the stories. “OPENING THE WORLD TO CAROLINA AGRICULTURE,” Southern Farm Network: (Audio) The world may be your oyster, but where does Europe get their oysters FROM? Or how about the Chinese consumer who … Read more
