Fruit Growers News

06/11/2026

🍎🌳 Van Well Nursery, a leading U.S. fruit tree supplier, will cease operations after delivering its 2026 crop.

The family-owned company, founded in 1946, cited apple market challenges, rising costs and increasing regulatory pressures as factors in the decision.

Van Well has supplied more than 1 million fruit trees annually and introduced notable varieties including Gale Gala® and Scarlet Spur Red Delicious.

📖 Read the full story on Fruit Growers News ---> https://fruitgrowersnews.com/news/van-well-to-cease-operations-after-delivering-2026-fruit-tree-crop/

Read the 2016 FGN cover story on Van Well by then-editor Gary Pullano ---> https://fruitgrowersnews.com/article/van-well-nursery-marks-70-years-providing-fruit-trees/

06/10/2026

Take a look inside the Farm Market Sampler Box to find a collection of fresh items designed to inspire your assortment and spark new ideas in-store. Each featured product brings something unique to the table, helping farm marketers offer customers something truly memorable.

Take a look at these offerings from Budget Branders, Burpee Garden Products, Kuntry Kettle LLC, Mierco European Linens, Nine Pin Cider, Old Farmer Tea Co., Scherger's Kettle - Shipshewana, Indiana and Schiffer Publishing.

Learn even more about these companies and their products at https://specialtyag.net/samplebox.

06/10/2026

📢 ICYMI: Carbon Robotics LaserWeeder is taking AI-powered w**d control to the next level.

The company has introduced its new Large Plant Model (LPM), trained on 150 million labeled plant images gathered from more than 175 LaserWeeder units operating across 100+ crops in 15 countries. The AI system is designed to identify crops and w**ds across diverse growing conditions, helping farmers improve precision, efficiency and sustainability. 🌱🤖

As AI continues to transform agriculture, innovations like this could reduce herbicide use, streamline operations and deliver more consistent results in the field.

Read more: https://fruitgrowersnews.com/article/carbon-robotics-ai-laser-w**ding-large-plant-model/

06/09/2026

Harvest season is coming. For growers, tight labor, thin margins and relentless bird pressure are constants. With bird damage costing the U.S. fruit industry hundreds of millions of dollars annually — running as high as 27% of sweet cherry yield in some studies — protecting orchards and fields is not optional.

The problem is that most traditional methods fall short. Skysense AI was built to answer that need. Read more at https://fruitgrowersnews.com/article/skysense-drones-take-flight-against-bird-damage-in-fruit-orchards.

(Sponsored by Skysense)

Written by Heidi Pitts (Sponsored) Harvest season is coming. For growers of blueberries, cherries, apples, and other high-value crops, tight labor, thin margins, and relentless bird pressure are constants. With bird damage costing the U.S. fruit industry hundreds of millions of dollars annually — ...

06/09/2026

🚜 ICYMI: Yamaha is expanding the capabilities of its Prospr autonomous platform with a new herbicide attachment designed to automate w**d control in orchards and vineyards. The system features automated spraying functions, real-time rate adjustments, multi-vehicle management, and a hybrid diesel-electric platform built for efficiency and productivity. 🌱

As growers continue to seek practical automation solutions that address labor challenges and improve operational efficiency, innovations like this are helping shape the future of specialty crop production.

Read more: https://fruitgrowersnews.com/news/yamaha-agriculture-prospr-herbicide-attachment/

06/08/2026

☀️🍓 Sunshine, fresh-picked strawberries, colorful flowers, and all the local goodness Northeast Ohio has to offer! 🌻🚜

We hit the road for a summer farm market photo tour and discovered some of the region's best spots for fresh produce, handmade goods, and small-town charm. 🧺❤️

Whether you're looking for juicy berries, farm-fresh veggies, or just a great weekend adventure, these markets are worth the trip! 🌽🍅🥕📸

Take the photo tour and see why Northeast Ohio farm markets are a summertime favorite! 👇

https://fruitgrowersnews.com/news/northeast-ohio-summer-farm-market-photo-tour/

06/07/2026

Whether you're planning your season, reviewing your pricing strategy or looking for fresh ideas, the 2026 Farm Market Pricing Report is a valuable tool to help guide your decisions.

Take a look at https://fruitgrowersnews.com/catalogs/2026-farm-market-pricing-report.

06/05/2026

🚨 TODAY IS THE DAY 🚨

The deadline to nominate for Fruit + Vegetable 40 Under 40 is TODAY, June 5.

This is the final chance to recognize the young professionals shaping the future of our industry. If someone deserves to be on that list or if you do, don’t wait another minute.

Nominate now before it closes!
https://fruitgrowersnews.com/40-under-40-nominations/

06/04/2026

🍎📉 Rising costs. Falling prices. Tough road ahead for U.S. apple growers.

The U.S. apple industry is facing a challenging reality as production expenses continue to climb while market prices struggle to keep pace. From labor and input costs to economic pressures across the supply chain, growers are being forced to adapt in an increasingly competitive environment. 🚜💵

Despite the challenges, the industry continues to focus on innovation, efficiency, and long-term sustainability to keep America’s orchards thriving. 🌱🍏

Read more about the trends shaping the future of apple production ---> https://fruitgrowersnews.com/news/us-apple-industry-faces-falling-prices-rising-costs/

06/03/2026

📊🍓 What should growers be charging in 2026?

From fresh produce and U-pick experiences to farm markets and value-added products, pricing continues to be one of the biggest challenges — and opportunities — for specialty crop growers. 🚜💰

The latest Farm Market Pricing Report takes a closer look at current pricing trends, consumer expectations, and strategies growers can use to stay competitive while protecting profitability. 📈🌱

Whether you're planning for the upcoming season or looking to fine-tune your pricing strategy, this report offers valuable insights for today’s farm businesses ---> https://fruitgrowersnews.com/article/farm-market-pricing-report-2026/