If it had been part of a longer cold stretch, or if the whole winter had been cold, it wouldn t have hurt us any, but we were at the point where many of the plants were thinking that spring was just around the corner when it got real cold, said Mark Longstroth, the Michigan State University Extension office s district fruit educator for southwestern Michigan. Most of the state s $275 million fruit crop is grown within about 20 miles of Lake Michigan, because of its moderating effect on the...

Rather than planting whatever variety is getting the best price, growers are now looking at soil quality and weather conditions in different parts of their orchards to decide which variety to grow, said Scott Hanses, director of sales for Holtzinger Fruit co. Rather than planting whatever variety is getting the best price, growers are now looking at soil quality and weather conditions in different parts of their orchards to decide which variety to grow, said Scott Hanses, director of sales...

The good news was brought to cocoa growers in three of the country's provinces as a kick-starter of a nationwide programme aimed at sharing improved cocoa seeds to farmers to step up production and ameliorate their revenue. While the operation targeted groups of farmers in the East province, it rather focused on small holder growers in the Centre and South rpovinces where the aim was to demonstrate the important place that small holder farmers continue to occupy in the new strategy to...

Inconsistent research findings have led to continued debate over the potential associations between drinking 100 percent fruit juice, nutrient intake, and overweight in children. Adjust font size: NEW YORK (Reuters) -- Contrary to popular belief, drinking pure 100 percent fruit juice does not make young children overweight or at risk for becoming overweight, new research shows. They also ate more whole fruits, like apples. The average daily consumption of pure fruit juice in the study...

Area legislators tour damaged farms; orchard in Stoddard co. In the last week, two area legislators have been touring the area trying to find out what the state can do to help out the displaced farmers. Record high temperatures in March followed by record lows in April have left many area farmers scrambling to figure out how to make it this year. Wright, who serves as vice-chairman of the House Agriculture committee, plans to visit several other area orchards and farms over the next couple...

By Walter Nicholls Washington Post Staff Writer Wednesday, April 25, 2007; Page F01 On seven consecutive nights this month, farmer Jim Huyett attached a Frost Dragon propane heater to the back of his tractor and drove for hours through his 5-acre peach orchard, trying to raise the air temperature above freezing. By Walter Nicholls Washington Post Staff Writer Wednesday, April 25, 2007; Page F01 On seven consecutive nights this month, farmer Jim Huyett attached a Frost Dragon propane heater...