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Fruit and vegetable farming

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Three women in high tunnel looking at lettuce.

Integrated pest management, growing guides, greenhouse management, best practices for harvesting and storage, and marketing advice for Minnesota commercial fruit and vegetable growers.

Features

New tool helps fruit and vegetable farmers reduce microbial risks to irrigation water

Irrigation water can affect produce safety and pose a health risk to consumers if not managed.

Trends from the 2022 ag census

The 2022 Census of Agriculture report shows that there continue to be fewer farms on the landscape across the U.S. That holds in Minnesota, however, Minnesota has more farmers in 2022 than in 2017.

Develop a heat and air quality safety plan for your farm workers

High heat and humidity can make it dangerous for growers to work outdoors. While wildfire smoke and other air pollutants can make it dangerous for growers to breathe the air while working outdoors. Here are some best practices for protecting yourself and your employees.

Fruit

Growing guides

Guides for commercial growers of fruits in cold climates

Growing safe food

On-farm food safety, GAPs audits, Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA)

Raspberry farming in Minnesota

Planting, growing and marketing raspberries in Minnesota

Strawberry farming in Minnesota

Planting, growing and marketing strawberries in Minnesota

Fruits hardy to Minnesota

Research on UMN breeding programs and lists of fruits currently available and proven hardy in Minnesota

Minnesota Fruit

Connecting and informing fruit growers across Minnesota

Production systems

Deep Winter Greenhouses

We support Deep Winter Greenhouse research and outreach across the state. Find information and construction documents for building these passive-solar greenhouses.

Minnesota high tunnel production manual

Risk management, structures, the high tunnel environment, cultural practices, crop production, crops, and finances for growing in high tunnels in Minnesota (PDF)

Managing a farm

Business, finance, safety and systems for ag producers and small farms

Small farms

Information on running a one- to 40-acre farm

Supply chains

We work to build the relationships that bring University crop research to farmers, markets and, ultimately, dinner plates.

Nutrient management and soil health

For specialty crops

Cover crops and soil health

Cover crop selection, reducing tillage

Nutrient management

Maintaining soil fertility in organic fruit and vegetable crop systems, nutrient cycling

Soil and foliar testing

Soil testing for fruit and vegetable growers, interpreting a soil test, foliar testing in fruit and vegetable crops

Pest management

Diagnose plant problems

Diagnostic tools to help diagnose a plant problem or identify a weed or insect

Disease management for vegetable crops

Vegetable plant diseases

Fruit and vegetable insects

Insects, spiders and other bugs that particularly help, harm or feed on fruits and vegetables in the home garden

FruitEdge

Timely, objective information on fruit integrated pest management in the Midwest

Pesticide safety and certification

Pesticide education and resources for certified and licensed applicators, those seeking certification, and other professionals

VegEdge

Timely, objective information on vegetable crop integrated pest management in the Midwest

News

The Fruit and Vegetable News blog has regular updates for growers

An apple with small brown spots and a large blistered, brown area, hanging on a tree.
This has been a bad year for apple scab

Apple scab outbreaks were bad in 2024, here’s what you should know to help for next year.

Two people discuss on-farm food safety in a field of edible greens
New tool helps fruit and vegetable farmers reduce microbial risks to irrigation water

Irrigation water can affect produce safety and pose a health risk to consumers if not managed.

Three women stand talking outside at a farm with multiple greenhouses.
Trends from the 2022 ag census

The 2022 Census of Agriculture report shows that there continue to be fewer farms on the landscape across the U.S. That holds in Minnesota, however, Minnesota has more farmers in 2022 than in 2017.

Fruit and Vegetable News blog

Page survey

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