1. California Flood Recovery Resources Support Impacted Farms

An atmospheric river caused widespread flooding and landslides in California at the beginning of 2023, creating an estimated $5–7 billion of damage. Especially hard hit were farms in many rural areas adjacent to rivers that overflowed their banks, flooding fields, homes, and businesses. President Joe Biden approved a major disaster declaration for California, which triggered the release of federal funds to assist people and businesses affected by the damage.   Read More

2. European Union Organic Farming Grows by 41% in Five Years

The area under organic farming in the European Union (EU) has increased by 41 percent within five years, reaching 14.8 million hectares in 2020. EU agricultural land farmed organically grew by more than 50 percent in the 2012-2020 period, with an annual increase of 5.7 percent across all member states, except Poland. France, Spain, Italy, and Germany accounted for 59 percent of the total agricultural area under organics in 2020. Despite an EU average of 9.1 percent, Ireland‘s organic area remained below 2 percent.  Read More

3. Organic Trade Association Releases 2023 Farm Bill Platform  

The Organic Trade Association (OTA) on Wednesday called for a new Farm Bill that recognizes the integral role the $63 billion US organic sector plays in today’s American agriculture.   Read More

4. Divine Flavor Credits Its Growers for Ongoing Success  

Now in its 16th year in operation, Divine Flavor has carved out a niche as a leading supplier of Mexican produce. While the reasons for its success are varied, at the crux is the relationship it has with its growers.  Read More

5. Carbon Robotics Introduces LaserThinning Capability

Carbon Robotics, a leader in AI-powered robotics, today introduced the industry’s first LaserThinning capability, continuing the rapid innovation of its state-of-the-art LaserWeeder. LaserThinning targets areas where vegetable crops are purposefully overseeded and then thinned for optimal crop spacing, growth, and yield. This is particularly valuable for farmers growing any direct-seeded leafy green and cole crops—such as lettuces and broccoli.  Read More