Northeast

Social media photo contest highlights New Jersey apples

The New Jersey Department of Agriculture is sponsoring a social media photo contest featuring the state's apples. The #JerseyFreshApples contest begins Sept. 6. Fans can share photos of Jersey Fresh apples and mention the orchard... more »

U.S. apple crop forecast at 256 million bushels

The U.S. apple crop for 2023-24 is expected to top 256 million 42-pound bushels, according to the U.S. Apple Association. USApple’s forecast is about 6 million bushels over the USDA’s annual forecast. The USDA released... more »

New York blueberries fare ‘surprisingly well,’ despite freeze, drought

The New York State Berry Growers Association is urging consumers to visit their local farm markets and U-pick patches before weather curtails fruit production. A wet summer in the Northeast has produced excellent berry crops... more »

Farm Market & Agritourism: You can benefit from consumer trends, too

A handful of Extension educators with the Food, Family and Health unit contacted me and asked if I could connect them with some farmers market managers. These educators received a small grant to create a... more »

Free New Jersey fruit celebrates National Blueberry Month

The New Jersey Department of Agriculture (NJDA) will highlight National Blueberry Month by handing out free blueberries to beachgoers for the third year in a row. Department staff will be distributing blueberries on the afternoon... more »

New Jersey kicks off peach season

New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher visited Larchmont Farms in Salem County to highlight the state’s peach harvest. The June 29 visit coincided with the start of the season, and was Fisher’s last... more »

New Jersey Ag Secretary Douglas Fisher retires

New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas Fisher is retiring after 14 years in the position, following a career as supermarket owner and operator and member of the New Jersey General Assembly. Fisher was appointed to... more »

Naturipe blueberry production hits summer supplies

Ahead of National Blueberry Month — July — Naturipe Farms is kicking off the summer season with promotable volumes of its flavorful blueberries from New Jersey, Michigan and the Pacific Northwest. Following a strong start... more »