Fruit Growers News

06/19/2026

Pricing isn't getting any easier. From rising costs to changing customer expectations, farm markets are finding new ways to stay competitive. See what operators nationwide are charging and learn the strategies behind their pricing decisions in the 2026 Farm Market Pricing Report.

➡️ https://fruitgrowersnews.com/catalogs/2026-farm-market-pricing-report.

06/18/2026

Agricultural labor reform is back in the spotlight.

The newly introduced Securing Agriculture's Workforce Act (SAWA) is gaining support from the Ag Wage Reform Coalition, which says the legislation could help address some of the biggest challenges facing specialty crop growers today — including labor shortages, rising labor costs, administrative burdens, and uncertainty surrounding the H-2A program. The proposal includes measures aimed at streamlining hiring processes, expanding workforce access, improving wage predictability, and creating a more efficient system for growers and workers alike.

As workforce issues continue to impact domestic food production and farm profitability, many in the industry see SAWA as a significant step toward modernizing agricultural labor policy and strengthening America's food security.

Read more: https://fruitgrowersnews.com/news/ag-labor-sawa-proposal-2026/

06/17/2026

🍎 What’s driving the U.S. apple market in 2026?

The latest AppleTracker report highlights key trends growers should be watching, including shifting inventory levels, fresh vs. processing demand, export opportunities and ongoing profitability challenges. As production remains strong, managing supply, market access and rising costs will be critical for the season ahead.

Read the 5 key takeaways from the June 2026 AppleTracker report: https://fruitgrowersnews.com/news/june-2026-appletracker-report-key-takeaways-us-apple-growers/

06/16/2026

The 2026 Buyers’ Guide connects you with the products and suppliers that help you finish the season strong and prepare for what’s next.

Start exploring → https://fruitgrowersnews.com/buyersguide

06/15/2026

: 🍏🍓🚜 Farm Market Friday is back!

Take a virtual road trip through Northeast Ohio as we visit three unique farm market and agritourism destinations showcasing local produce, creative retail displays and the charm that keeps customers coming back. 🌻🛍️

Whether you're looking for ideas to enhance your own farm market or simply love supporting local agriculture, this photo tour offers plenty of inspiration. 📸🌱

Check out Part 2 of our Northeast Ohio Farm Market Friday Photo Tour! 👇

https://fruitgrowersnews.com/news/farm-market-friday-photo-tour-part-2/

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/