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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.

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.

Food safety for flooded fields

Flooding can introduce chemical and microbial risks to fresh produce that can cause human illness if the produce is eaten. Follow these guidelines to ensure the safety of your produce after a flooding event.

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 (DWG) 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

Nutrient management calculator for vegetable crops

A tool that is intended to help vegetable growers select the best combination of inputs based on a soil test.

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

Crop sprayer drone
Using drones for pesticide application

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), commonly known as drones, are changing how pesticide applicators work in field crops. Using UAVs for pesticide spraying allows applicators to make more precise applications and reduce input costs.

Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) reporting removed for U.S. companies and persons

This update clarifies the announcement that U.S. companies and persons are no longer required to report BOI to FinCEN. This interim final rule does NOT eliminate BOI reporting.

What to do when your farm’s financial results are not what you want

When faced with disappointing financial data, it’s crucial to take proactive steps to address the situation and steer your farm back on track.

Fruit and Vegetable News blog

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