In addition to the redesign of Red Tomato’s EcoCertified fruit totes and pouches, Red Tomato broadened the scope of the certification to include a variety of fruits and value-added agricultural products, providing a more cohesive and impactful brand for consumers and growers, according to a news release.

The redesigned packaging is timed for the 2024 apple season and includes paper totes, pouches, poly bags, and master cases. “The rebrand will help consumers choose EcoCertified fruit, which means they are investing in local and sustainable growing practices. EcoCertified is a promise of amazing fruit that is both local and ecologically grown,” according to the release.

EcoCertified is designed to be a grower brand, an integral part of their marketing stories, and to build a stronger, more recognizable certification that stands for sustainable, ecologically responsible farming practices.

The updated packaging will be available in stores making it easier for consumers to identify and purchase EcoCertified products. Insights from consumer research indicate a strong preference for clear, concise labeling that highlights the product’s sustainable attributes.

The most ecological farming practices differ by locale. More than 93% of U.S. certified organic apples are grown in eastern Washington. The climate in the Eastern U.S. is more rain, diseases and insects. The national organic standards do not offer viable treatments for eastern orchards
growing at a wholesale scale, according to the release.

“EcoCertified orchards are a powerful, resilient force in our region’s food system, combining the most ecological growing practices with the best of local foods,” said Angel Mendez, Red Tomato’s executive director, said in the release.

Red Tomato partnered with the Hartman Group, a marketing research firm specializing in the natural and organic grocery industry.

Keywords such as “sustainable growing practices,” “protect pollinators,” “promote tree and soil health,” and “growers care for the land, community, and earth” were instrumental in the design process. The packaging highlights the taste, ecological practices, and local sourcing that define EcoCertified. The front of the pouch proudly states, “Happy Bees. Healthy Trees. Amazing Apples.” while the back emphasizes the rigorous ecological practices that protect bees, ensure thriving orchards, and balance vital ecosystems, according to the release.

“It’s very hard for farmers to grow apples this way,” Diane Rast, Hartman’s creative director, said in the release. “I visit the farms. I have been designing for years and I know the challenge of communicating a complex idea dealing with sustainable growing practices with just a few words and a choice illustration.”

The EcoCertified program was launched in 2005, as a partnership of non-profit Red Tomato, the IPM Institute of North America and a network of farmers, scientists and fruit experts, to advance environmentally responsible growing practices for locally grown tree fruit in the Northeast.

The program’s goal is to support growers by bringing together the local and ecological growing practices, educating the public about their value, and building a market that keeps local orchards thriving and local apples abundant.

The program has certified more than 30 Northeast orchards, representing more than 2,000 acres. EcoCertified is actively expanding to new regional chapters east of the Rockies, with a focus on the Midwest (Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Illinois), Mid-Atlantic and Southeast.

Based in Rhode Island, Red Tomato works with partners throughout the U.S., including scientists and farmer networks, regional and national grocery stores, K-12 schools, community-based nonprofits, and other vendors. In addition to apples, Red Tomato also works with tomatoes and other vegetables.

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There is a team of us that operate more than 300 acres. I, my wife Julie, my father Lenny Jr., farm managing partner Andrew, and a lot of great seasonal help are involved. Our three children each help with daily tasks: Lydia (7) helps with customers in the market, Leo (5) tends to the animals and Tucker (2) keeps us in smiles all day.

We also have a roadside market and “pick your own” operation.

Roadside market offers diversity

In addition to seasonal fruits and vegetables, the market offers a variety of products such as bedding plants in the spring, a large selection of home-grown animal feed year- round and winter storage crops such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, onions, cabbage and apples. We also carry honey from several local apiaries and a large selection of canned goods, jams and jellies.

During the summer months, the market is packed with all kinds of fruit and vegetables — especially our sweet corn. 

Plus, our pick your own operation has adapted crops to meet the needs of local residents and now consists of a variety of peppers, corn, eggplant, tomatoes, beans, cabbage and squash.

Business does matter 

Over the years, we have learned that being able to juggle the paperwork that comes with running a business — payroll, accounting and current regulations — along with the daily general farm work, is a task in itself, and that keeping all of these things current and organized must be a priority.

Keeping up with current guidelines and requirements is also essential for the value seen by both inspectors and customers alike. 

Staying ahead and being prepared for what is to come helps keep things running smoothly. We have found that the ability to properly manage all aspects of the business could be a determining factor for success or failure.

Customer satisfaction 

We know that listening to customer requests plays a large role in the retention and expansion of our customer base. Making customers believe that they have been heard and their needs met helps bring them back frequently and leave with a positive experience they want to share with friends and family. Our ability to supply an ever- changing demand in the fresh produce industry has led us to more customers and a larger market.

Collaboration 

Working with neighboring farmers as friends is also a crucial part of our success. There are plenty of mouths for all of us to feed in today’s world that we need to lift each other up when we can.

Share in hard times and plentiful times. Large or small, conventional or organic — we need to work together for a better future for agriculture. 

We believe that the future for agriculture, both large- and small-scale, is bright if you are willing to maintain the important old traditions and keep an open mind to modern advancement and changes in your operation.

Burger’s Farm was settled on our land in 1889. So much has changed since then, except our dirt. That will remain while our generation is here to farm it, and hopefully many generations to come

Written by Leonard Burger, Burger’s Farm 

Lenny Burgess III is part of the five generations of success at Burger’s Farm and a member of the Fruit + Vegetable Class of 2023 40 Under Forty honorees. For more information, visit Burger’s Farm at burgersfarm.webnode.page.

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The expansion brings the Omakase and Koyo berries to markets in New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Boston and Washington, D.C.

“We’re excited to join these vibrant local food communities,” said Rita Hudetz, chief commercial officer at Oishii. “Oishii may be the future of farming, but we are still a farm.”

Grown in indoor vertical farms, Oishii’s berries are pesticide-free, non-GMO and available year-round. A tray of Omakase berries costs $11.99, while Koyo berries are $9.99.

The move follows Oishii’s growth, including a $134 million Series B funding in February and the opening of their largest farm in Phillipsburg, New Jersey, in June. This new facility enhances production capacity by over 20 times using advanced AI and robotics.

Information on farm market locations is available online.

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Then, they await the arrival of one of the most vital contributors to the success of many crops … the bees, which along with other pollinators (butterflies, bats, birds) are responsible for billions of dollars in economic value within the U.S.

Articles have been printed, including “The Value of Pollinators To The Ecosystem And Our Economy” (Forbes, October 2019), that discuss the economic importance of pollinators related to food production.

Pollinators and plants rely on one another for mutual survival. A similar symbiosis occurs between the farmer, their community and the consumer. Pollination is the tie that binds us.

We, and most apple packers, have firsthand knowledge of the domino effect that a “light set,” or poor pollination, has on an apple crop. Not only does it affect the livelihood of farm families, but it also has a direct impact on businesses that support the farms, market availability, food supply and the local economy.

Many agricultural segments rely on hives of European honeybees for pollination. However, a thriving population of native pollinators has been recognized as a sustainable supplement to the honeybee. We can support native pollinators by growing indigenous species of plants.

Evolved to be the best suited for our respective soil, climate and seasons, native plants attract and feed native pollinators. When natural habitats thrive, the creatures that provide pollination stay close and do their best work.

Having this type of knowledge made me ask myself what steps we could take to improve the likelihood of consistent successful pollination, as well as make sure that pollinators of all kinds were not just able to survive, but to flourish.

Through this exploration, I discovered the concept of a pollinator sanctuary. Behind the Rice Fruit Company packing facilities, there was a patch of land — once an orchard — that proved to be the perfect setting for phase one of our pollinator sanctuary.

What used to be a vacant field is now bordered by newly planted crab apple trees, a collection of native trees, grasses, and flowering perennials and annuals. Not only does this space encourage the mutually beneficial relationship between native plants and pollinators, it also provides an attractive green space within walking distance for our employees’ enjoyment.

For phase two and three of the project, we will partner with The Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay for a lawn-to-forest planting as well as a lawn-to meadow conversion. The lawn-to-forest planting will consist of regionally specific trees that will create a riparian forest buffer.

Riparian buffers are vegetated areas next to streams, rivers, lakes and wetlands that protect water quality by intercepting sediment and other pollutants before they enter the water. Within the Chesapeake Bay Area Watershed, reduction of water runoff into local streams and rivers is extremely important.

The converted meadowlands will serve as bonus habitat sanctuary, as well as reducing the need for lawn mowing. Between the pollinator sanctuary, the forest buffer and the meadowlands, the end goal is to have something growing undisturbed during all seasons.

While bees hibernate and butterflies migrate, having shelter and a food source always available will help give native pollinators a running start when spring begins. We know that the growing season is a marathon, not a sprint … but that kickstart can make all the difference in the end.

One of the questions we’ve gotten in the past in response to this project was, “Do you really expect one pollinator habitat to make a difference?”

I believe that as a small business and a member of a rural community, Rice Fruit Company helps to set the tone for environmental priorities within our local area.

Perhaps this inspires a neighborhood to start a community garden or encourages another business to make their own pollinator sanctuary garden. By taking small steps in protecting these vital insects and their habitats, we can create more sustainable environments for our food sources.

Over time, these little changes add up to big change — and do you know what that is called? The butterfly effect.

By strengthening our common ties, we can ensure the long-term vitality of our food sources. The results of taking initiative, educating yourself in the value of these relationships and supporting the creatures that allow us to continue to grow and provide food is a benefit to everyone: cleaner air, purer water, more fruits, more vegetables … more of the good stuff.

About the author

Valerie M. Ramsburg is the digital and print marketing manager for Rice Fruit Company, and a member of the Fruit + Vegetable 40 Under Forty Class of 2023 honorees. She is also a member of the U.S. Apple Communications Committee and is responsible for the implementation of the Rice Fruit Company pollinator garden initiative.

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On June 10, the U.S. Apple Association via its USAppleTracker report reported the total number of apples in storage on June 1 was 57 million bushels, 36% more than last June’s total of 42 million bushels and 34% higher than the 5-year average for that date.

May’s movement of 19 million bushels was 28% above movement volumes for the same period last year.

Fresh apple holdings in June totaled 40 million bushels, 38% more than the inventories reported for last June. Processing holdings totaled 17 million bushels, 32% larger than last year on June 1 and 19% above last year’s value. Processor movement last month was 6.2 million bushels, 50% above last May’s figure.

Of the Top 5 apple producing states – Washington, Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia – only Michigan and Virginia reported storage declines.

Washington storage increased from 34 million bushels to 47 million bushels, experiencing increases in fresh and processed holdings from June 2023 to June 2024. The five-year May holdings average is 36 million bushels.

Michigan storage fell from 2.6 million bushels during the period to 2.5 million bushels. Processing holdings slightly increased from 1.05 million bushels to 1.06 million bushels, while fresh storage slightly declined from 1.57 million bushels to 1.51 million bushels during the period. The five-year average is 1.3 million bushels.

New York holdings increased from 2.7 million bushels to 4.2 million bushels, higher than the 2.9 million bushel five-year average.

For Pennsylvania, holdings increased from 1.3 million bushels to 1.7 million bushels, more than the 1.1 million bushel five-year average.

Virginia’s holdings declined from 671,879 bushels to 518,167 bushels, smaller than the 732,261 bushel five-year average.

For Oregon, holdings increased from 399,480 bushels to 459.062 bushels, smaller than the 480,504 bushel five-year average.

The leading 15 varieties in storage, in order by volume, were Red Delicious, Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, Gala, Fuji, Cosmic Crisp, Pink Lady/Cripps Pink, Golden Delicious, Ambrosia, Rome, Idared, York, McIntosh, Envy, and Empire. There were few changes in the report.

The report captures more than 95% of the national storage capacity, according to Christopher Gerlach, USApple’s director of industry analytics.

View the report here.

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Dr. Keith Yoder, a plant pathologist at Virginia Tech, highlighted the urgency of addressing the fungal infections in the update. “Yes, we had major apple scab and cedar-apple rust infections on apples May 4-5,” the updated stated.

He recommended a combination of mancozeb and DMI fungicides to combat these infections effectively.

“The fungicide coverage needs to be continued on all locations up to 2 weeks after the date of primary scab season end,” Yoder emphasized the importance of ongoing fungicide coverage in the update.

However, he expressed difficulty in pinpointing the end of the primary scab season due to inaccuracies in weather station data, particularly in central and southern Virginia.

Regarding the imminent threat of fire blight, growers were urged to monitor the situation closely.

“If any cider apple cultivars are still in bloom, fire blight infections were and will be highly possible from 6-9 May,” Yoder advised in the update. He recommended utilizing the EIP model to guide streptomycin applications and implementing rescue treatments promptly to prevent further spread.

In light of the challenges, Virginia Tech researchers underscored the importance of proactive management strategies to safeguard apple crops against fungal infections and fire blight.

To review the entire update, growers are encouraged to visit the Virginia Tech website.

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Snyder, who was invited to the station tour by the U.S. Apple Association, was joined by Jim Bair and Mitchell Liwanag, USApple’s president and CEO and manager of environmental affairs, respectively. Philip Glaize III, a Virginia apple grower and USApple board member, and Don Dove, a West Virginia apple grower, also participated.

USDA station researchers briefed the group on fruit tree research, including:

• Carbon accounting and deficit irrigation, by Andrew Bierer, research soil scientist
• Root architecture and rootstock-scion interactions by Lisa Tang, research horticulturist
• Fast track breeding and development of stacked resistance traits (both biotic and abiotic) by Chris Gottschalk, research geneticist and breeder
• Understanding the impact of rapid apple decline and other undescribed viruses on apple trees, by Tami Collum, research plant pathologist

“Federal investments in agricultural research are vitally important as we work to build a more resilient, productive and sustainable food system,” Snyder said in a news release. “EPA values our science-based partnerships with USDA, USApple and other agricultural stakeholders as we seek to address emerging pest and disease pressures, as well as the ongoing impacts of climate change.”

Much of the research at the Appalachian Fruit Research Station has implications for finding resistance to diseases like fire blight — a bacterial disease that can quickly wipe out entire apple orchards. Other research on greenhouse gas mitigation opportunities in orchards could be key to serving as another agriculture-based solution to address climate change.

“Rod Snyder’s visit to the Appalachian Fruit Research Station, to familiarize himself with important apple research, illustrates his commitment to our industry,” Bair said in the release. “We appreciate his desire to learn about the interface of environmental protection and apple growers’ commitment to being good stewards of the land.”

The Appalachian Fruit Research Station conducts fundamental, applied and developmental research on critical problems of temperate fruit production (apples, peaches, pears, plums, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries). The station develops new knowledge, germplasm and technology to maximize productivity and quality of fruit crops, and minimize the adverse effects of biotic and environmental factors on fruit crops to ensure a stable and cost-efficient supply of safe and nutritious fruits to American consumers, according to the release.

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Baugher received the honor during the Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Convention in Hershey, Pennsylvania, in late January.

As he accepted the award from presenter Brad Hollabaugh, Baugher had a simple explanation for why he was on stage.

“I guess the only thing I can say is, when you’re raised by excellent people and surrounded by them your whole life, it’s hard not to do well,” he said, after thanking his wife and family for their support. In his introduction, Hollabaugh made it clear Baugher has volunteered his time to help the state’s fruit industry. He’s served on the SHAP board and has been its president, and has been involved with the Adams County Fruit Growers Association, the Pennsylvania State Pesticide Advisory Board, Pennsylvania Farm Bureau and other groups.

“He has given his time and talents to serve the industry in many aspects, including horticultural, legislative and regulatory involvement,” said Hollabaugh, president of Hollabaugh Brothers, Biglerville, Pennsylvania. “Over the years, we often worked together on legislative issues, and I know that his involvement with Farm Bureau was very helpful in forging a strong relationship between that organization and the fruit industry at large,” Hollabaugh said.

He credited Baugher with experimenting with different production systems for fruit trees and working to improve sprayer equipment at his operation. Baugher, who has been an orchard manager throughout his career, represents the fourth generation at Adams County Nursery, Aspers, Pennsylvania.

He’s a big proponent of volunteering, and is known for encouraging others to pitch in during the Pennsylvania Farm Show and its annual apple sale, a SHAP fundraiser. SHAP also recognized Hollabaugh Brothers for earning the Best Bushel and Best Roadside Fruit Market Exhibit during the Pennsylvania Farm Show in early January.

The family operation placed in dozens of categories. The annual show awards hundreds of ribbons for different packages of apples, pears and other fruit. The annual cider award competition was Jan. 30.

The first place winner is Metrick’s Harvest View Farm, Butler, Pennsylvania. Second place is Scholl Orchards, Bethlehem. Third place is Hands on the Earth Orchard, Lititz.

— Chris Koger, managing editor

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Every state except for Michigan and West Virginia reported storage gains.

According to the USAppleTracker report, the total number of apples in storage on April 1 was 95 million bushels, 33% more than last April’s total of 71 million bushels and 27% larger than the 5-year average for the date.

Fresh apple holdings in April totaled 68 million bushels, 36% higher than the inventories reported for April 2023. Processing holdings totaled 26 million bushels, a 25% increase from last year on April 1.

Michigan total storage fell from 4.9 million bushels to 4.8 million bushels. While fresh holdings increased from 2.9 million bushels to 3.2 million bushels, processing storage declined from 1.9 million bushels to 1.7 million bushels compared to April 2023.

Storage for both channels is higher than the five-year average. For Michigan’s fresh, it’s 1.3 million bushels and a 1.5 million bushel five-year average for processed storage.

Washington storage increased from 57 million bushels to 76 million bushels, experiencing increases in fresh and processed holdings. The five-year average is 61.5 million bushels.

New York holdings expanded from 4.9 million bushels to 7.2 million bushels, higher than the 5.2 million bushel five-year average.

For Pennsylvania, holdings increased from 2.7 million bushels to 3.2 million bushels, more than the 2.7 million bushel five-year average.

Virginia’s holdings increased from 927,229 bushels to 1.2 million bushels, larger than the 1 million bushel five-year average.

Oregon, North Carolina, Maryland, California, Idaho, West Virginia, Massachusetts, Indiana, Ohio, Connecticut and New Hampshire, ranked in order of descending storage volume, round out the remaining producing states with production listed in the USAppleTracker tables.

The “other states” listings, the “minor” production states, also increased from 7,414 bushels to 11,000 bushels, above the 6,246 bushel five-year average.

The leading varieties in storage, in order by descending volume, are

• Honeycrisp
• Red Delicious
• Gala
• Granny Smith
• Fuji
• Cosmic Crisp
• Pink Lady/Cripps Pink
• Golden Delicious
• Ambrosia
• Rome
• Envy
• Idared
• McIntosh
• York
• Empire

By comparison, in last month’s report, the total number of apples in storage on March 1 was 118 million bushels, 34% higher than March 2023’s 88 million bushels and 25% more than the 5-year average for that date.

The report captures more than 95% of the national storage capacity, according to USApple.

Read more of the report here.

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Though high temperatures can be a concern, apple growers in the major U.S. growing regions shouldn’t worry too much about how spring weather could influence fruit development outside of potential late April frost.

That’s the word from Drew Lerner, senior agricultural meteorologist, founder and president of World Weather Inc.

Lerner gave his insights to growers during an April 4 webinar on how weather could threaten 2024 apple production.

“For all practical purposes, you should have a good year this year,” Lerner said. “The only potential problem is that period in the last 10 days of April where we do have at least a risk of some cold weather. How cold it gets is still quite debatable. But, I think once we get into the first week of May, if we have not seen a frost or freeze event, I think we’ll be home free from that point onward.”

Growers should expect spring seasonal temperatures. A mixed weather pattern should occur for eastern and western production regions.

“It’s not a bad scenario,” Lerner said. “I do think the spring season will be a little bit wetter biased, at least in April Nothing extreme, nothing excessive. We may have our moment or two where it gets really warm, but it’s not going to stay. We’ll go right back into a more normal-ish temperature regime.” There is a chance, however, of cold late April temperatures, he said.

As the Pacific Northwest is an area where apples should mature in a fairly stable environment this spring, Lerner doesn’t expect to see many problems in the region.

While drought is affecting other U.S. agriculture production regions, it isn’t expected to cause any serious prolonged dryness issues in the major commercial apple production regions, he said.

“Any part of our eastern US production areas, Michigan, New York, and down to Pennsylvania, all of that region over there is in pretty good shape moisture wise,” Lerner said. “It has been a little bit dryer in Washington over the winter and our moisture profiles are a little bit down and so that will be of interest. But, I think we have enough water in the in the supply chain to continue to support our crops favorably.”

Lerner pointed to NASA charts which estimate groundwater supplies and root zone conditions. Both appear favorable, he said.

A handful of areas in the Northwest show areas of low groundwater, but, because growers source most of their water from irrigation, it shouldn’t be an issue, Lerner said.

Three of five reservoirs feeding the Yakima Valley display lower than normal water levels. Despite below average snowpack, the region should experience runoff.

“But this isn’t critical stuff,” Lerner said. If it didn’t rain through the whole of the rest of the, growing season, there would be enough water supply here to support the irrigation for the bulk of the crop across Washington. “We are not critically low on the water supply to the point of raising any real serious threats to the bulk of the production area,” he said.

In the eastern part of the U.S., there isn’t much to be focused on either, Lerner said. “We still have kind of a mix, but none of the extremes in the groundwater anomalies here are great enough to raise any serious word of caution so we’re as long as we get timely rains go forward through the growing season,” he said. “I think we’re going to be in fairly good shape.”

Central U.S. growing regions should be concerned about a potential El Nino, which could affect pockets of significant production in Missouri and elsewhere, where extremely high temperatures could be problematic, Lerner said.

View the webinar here.

— Doug Ohlemeier, assistant editor

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