Mississippi Business Journal » fruit

Heavy rains put quality of strawberry crop in doubt

MBJ Staff — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 12:33:30 +0000

ACROSS MISSISSIPPI — Growing strawberries in the South is especially challenging because of its variable weather, like that seen this spring. Wayne Porter, Mississippi State University Extension horticulture specialist in Lauderdale County, said the strawberries struggled because of excessive rain. “The crop started in late January and sputtered through February and March,” Porter said. “Berries [...]

The post Heavy rains put quality of strawberry crop in doubt appeared first on Mississippi Business Journal.

Scientists studying rooftop gardens on Coast

MBJ Staff — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 13:51:00 +0000

GULFPORT — Horticulture scientists at Mississippi State University are studying and recording the effects of the coastal climate on rooftop gardens in Gulfport. When they learned the eight green roofs at the Armed Forces Retirement Home were struggling to survive, Christine Coker and Gary Bachman, both horticulture scientists at MSU’s Coastal Research and Extension Center, [...]

The post Scientists studying rooftop gardens on Coast appeared first on Mississippi Business Journal.

Defense Department grant puts state-raised food in schools

Associated Press — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 17:05:57 +0000

DESOTO COUNTY — Either by fork or fingers, the second- and third-grade students of Chickasaw Elementary in Olive Branch dived into some Magnolia-state raised blueberries and cantaloupes as a part of a farm to school awareness program. Picking a blueberry up with her fingers, second-grader Mary Katherine Stephens, 8, liked the tiny cup of fruit [...]

The post Defense Department grant puts state-raised food in schools appeared first on Mississippi Business Journal.

Indiana farm linked to salmonella-tainted melons

Associated Press — Wed, 29 Aug 2012 12:51:01 +0000

OWENSVILLE, Ind. — A southwestern Indiana cantaloupe farm is the source of at least some of the salmonella responsible for an outbreak that sickened people in 21 states and killed two Kentucky residents, the Food and Drug Administration said yesterday. Salmonella collected from Chamberlain Farms in Owensville, Ind., matches the “DNA fingerprint” of the salmonella [...]

The post Indiana farm linked to salmonella-tainted melons appeared first on Mississippi Business Journal.

Extension: Watermelon crop good for consumers and farmers

MBJ Staff — Tue, 03 Jul 2012 20:37:00 +0000

ACROSS MISSISSIPPI — As summer temperatures soar into the triple digits, Mississippi’s sweet watermelon crop is satisfying both growers and consumers, according to the Mississippi State University Extension Service. “Everyone wants watermelon — from the beginning of harvest in June right up until the Fourth of July, when demand peaks for holiday picnics,” said Rick [...]

The post Extension: Watermelon crop good for consumers and farmers appeared first on Mississippi Business Journal.

New farmers market deemed successful; another may be opening

Associated Press — Mon, 25 Jun 2012 20:56:34 +0000

PASCAGOULA and OXFORD — A new farmers market here is drawing positive reviews by vendors and buyers. The Mississippi Press reports the Pascagoula Farmers Market at Victory Lot is enjoying a steady stream of customers and that vendors report good sales. The market opened for the first time June 16, and is scheduled for Wednesdays [...]

The post New farmers market deemed successful; another may be opening appeared first on Mississippi Business Journal.

Plant hardiness maps increase state’s average low temperature

MBJ Staff — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 13:49:24 +0000

STARKVILLE — New plant hardiness maps released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture increased Mississippi’s average low temperatures by 5 degrees. Eric Stafne, Mississippi State University assistant Extension professor for fruit crops, said the maps provide good average information, but individuals still must make careful planting decisions. “With fruit crops, I am more concerned with [...]

The post Plant hardiness maps increase state’s average low temperature appeared first on Mississippi Business Journal.