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Commercial Fruit and Vegetable Growers

Commercial Fruit and Vegetable Growers

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Illinois EQIP 2025 application deadline established

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Jan. 23, 2025 —Illinois agricultural and forestry producers who want to address or improve natural resources are encouraged to sign up for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program or EQIP. Tammy Willis, Illinois Natural Resources Conservation Service State Conservationist,...
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photo of computer monitor and cell phone with lines and boxes on screens

Food safety education needs assessment survey

The winter season gives us time to relax a bit and to plan for the next growing season. University of Illinois Extension would like to work with you in meeting some of your food safety learning and implementation goals. You may have already taken a food safety training related to fresh produce and...
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ripe strawberries in clear plastic containers

Food safety in fresh produce washing and packing areas

Fresh produce packing facilities come in different sizes and designs. Some maybe fully closed and others partially closed with a few legs and a roof. Some may be permanent structures and others temporary. Farms may also use their limited space to accomplish multiple activities which may include...
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fresh fruits and vegetables arranged in rainbow order of color

Specialty crop insurance for the small farmer

Did you know that the USDA has a crop insurance policy tailored for the small organic or specialty crop farmer? It is called the Micro Farm policy for farms with no more than $350,000 of approved revenue. These are an “insured revenue” type of policy and is available in all 50 states. There...
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row of apple trees in an orchard

From Northern Illinois (Rockford): Season highlights

For Northern Illinois orchards, the 2024 season has concluded. Between Halloween and Thanksgiving, some of the orchards have limited hours with pre-picked apples as they begin to shut down for the season. One of the final cultivars in October is 'Evercrisp'  a 'Honeycrisp x Fuji' MAIA apple...
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insect pests on clover plant

Winter insect pest control

As winter is upon us, there are things that growers can do to deal with winter pests. Of course, this is particularly important in winter production and here in Illinois, this is primarily done in high tunnels and greenhouses. In high tunnels, no pest is worse in winter production than aphids (...
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Blog Authors
Elizabeth Wahle

Elizabeth Wahle

Extension Specialist, Agriculture and Agribusiness (Commercial Agriculture)
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