Rebecca Compton, chair of Asparagus Farmers of Ontario, talks about her background and leadership approach to tackling industry issues.

Apple grower Cathy McKay has converted her 27-acre orchard to new varieties and trellis systems to produce a great tasting experience for consumers.

Canada’s greenhouse vegetable sector is being buffeted by carbon taxes, high energy prices and repercussions from the last year’s sudden cannabis expansion.

New packing lines are revolutionizing how tree-ripened tender fruit can be speedily handled and shipped to consumers. The largest peach grower in Ontario, the Tregunno family, installed a Spectrim vision system three years ago at the farm near Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario. Ryan Tregunno stays sharp for 10 weeks as traffic controller in his computer pit above the lines of peaches and nectarines.

For the last two years, Rebecca Compton has chaired the Asparagus Farmers of Ontario through a challenging marketing period. While managing 60 acres and an on-farm retail outlet, Big Red Barn near Delhi, Ontario, she encourages her young children – Sable and Anson – to be at home in the field.

Many apple growers are converting to high-density orchards with top-selling consumer favourites:  Honeycrisp, Ambrosia and Gala. The search for new varieties is arduous as Cathy McKay, vice-chair of the Ontario Apple Growers, attests. She’s been one of the champions of a new Canadian Apple Breeding Consortium.

Canada’s greenhouse vegetable sector is feeling the heat from energy prices to carbon taxes to cannabis conversions. But Duffy Kniaziew, owner, Orangeline Farms, is sticking with what he knows: peppers.

In the Canadian Horticultural Council’s latest video, British Columbia apple grower Nirwal Dhaliwal talks about the importance of international workers, both to running his operation, and personally, as friends and neighbours.

Perspectives on food safety differ in Europe compared to the United States. Shifting trends may inspire farmers to grow more protected crops rather than open field vegetables. Hydroponic lettuce is a case in point.

The produce industry is relieved that threats have been cancelled to impose five per cent tariffs on Mexican goods crossing into the U.S. on June 10. The Border Trade Alliance offers some context.

Inclement weather, food recalls and widening trade gaps contributed to a 19-year low in the production of fresh vegetables in the U.S. in 2018. Onions, head lettuce, romaine lettuce and tomatoes accounted for much of the decline.

The world’s largest potato processor needs another 10,000 to 15,000 acres of potatoes to keep its expanded distribution centre humming in Burley, Idaho.

A deep dive into the USDA’s latest economic forecast shows horticultural exports remaining steady at $35.5 billion. Canada remains a top market for American fresh fruits and vegetables.