Iowa’s commercial horticulture industry contributes $48 million to the state’s economy each year and provides fresh fruits and vegetables to Iowa consumers. Gov. Kim Reynolds recognized the value of this segment of agriculture by designating July 26-30, 2021, as Iowa Fruit and Vegetable Week. “The Iowa Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association and other organizations, including . . . read more

The horticulture team with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach will hold the 2021 Fruit and Vegetable Field Day July 22 at Iowa State University’s Horticulture Research Station northeast of Ames. The annual event will feature various research and demonstration projects on fruit and vegetable production for commercial growers, extension personnel, nonprofit organizations and master . . . read more

Home gardeners and plant enthusiasts can still receive helpful advice and answers to their questions from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Aaron Steil, newly named consumer horticulture extension specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach, is working on a new delivery method that will empower county extension staff to provide answers locally. Steil began the . . . read more

Hello commercial apple growers, Have you heard of a cool new sprayer technology for apples? It could be the biggest change in apple spraying since the invention of the airblast sprayer. This is the first blog from our new 2-state (Iowa and Ohio), 3-year (2020-2022), USDA (CPPM program) funded project on adapting a new-technology airblast . . . read more

If you’re a vegetable grower, you’re probably familiar with high tunnels and low tunnels. But what are mesotunnels? All three of these tunnel types are used to create some sort of protective barrier between crops and the environment. “Meso” means “middle,” so mesotunnels are medium-size tunnels – taller than low tunnels and shorter than high . . . read more

The newest commercial vegetable and specialty crop specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach knows the needs and concerns of the industry. Dan Fillius, who will begin his new role June 7, has spent the last three years as a produce safety specialist, helping fruit and vegetable producers comply with the Food Safety Modernization . . . read more

Joe HannanExtension Commercial Horticulture Specialist515-993-4281jmhannan@iastate.edu Iowa State University Extension and Outreach will offer voluntary, on-farm assessments to Iowa fruit and vegetable growers in preparation for Food and Drug Administration farm inspections conducted under the Food Safety Modernization Act Produce Safety Rule. The On-Farm Produce Safety Team will offer voluntary On-Farm Readiness Reviews to farms that . . . read more

Shannon M. ColemanFood Science and Human Nutrition515-294-9011scoleman@iastate.edu Throughout the state, farmers markets are opening for the season, providing many opportunities for Iowans to sell home-prepared foods. This part of the U.S. food supply chain is known as the cottage food industry and cottage food producers are subject to certain regulations. Iowa State University Extension and . . . read more

Kaley HohenshellProgram Coordinator515-745-2401kaleyh@iastate.edu The COVID-19 pandemic emphasized the importance of resilient local food systems. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach has transitioned its nationally recognized Local Food Leader professional development certification course to a virtual format. This certification includes cohort workshops hosted through Zoom and online curricula through Moodle. The first online workshop of 2021 . . . read more

A popular source of online information for the agricultural industry in Iowa has a new and improved look. The Ag Decision Maker, published by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, unveiled a new design Jan. 16. The new site offers the same timely information Iowans and farmers across the Midwest have depended on for years, but . . . read more