It’s boom time for organic berries, with abundant harvest and good quality from Baja, Mexico and Florida leading to promotional opportunities for strawberries.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is making up to $2 million available for risk management education and training programs that support farmers and ranchers, including underserved producers, small-scale farmers, organic operations and climate-smart farm practices.

Growing mustard cover crops for biofumigation is a strategy that can help manage many soil pathogens. In Ohio, the practice can be used in the spring to help control Plectosporium before planting pumpkins instead of managing the disease with conventional fungicides.

Farmers are invited to share thoughts on cover crops in the National Cover Crop Survey to help guide research, seed development and other actions.

A new event is designed to showcase biological solutions that are available to fruit and vegetable growers to enhance soil and plant health.

Two sales veterans have joined the growing organic sales division of Maryland-based produce wholesaler Pete Pappas & Sons.