May 14, 2022
In This Issue
Mental Health Awareness, Listeria Research, Greenhouse Production, Spinach Mites, Farmworker Awareness, Cold Injury, Smart Packaging, Chesapeake Bay Investment, Windbreaks, and more.
USDA to Host Virtual Event in Honor of Mental Health Awareness Month
In observance of Mental Health Awareness Month this May, the U.S. Department of Agriculture will host a free, virtual convening over three days to highlight the mental health challenges farmers face. The virtual event takes place May 17, 18 and 19 from 1 – 5 p.m. EDT.
The title of the convening is Sustainable Livelihoods and Behavioral Health: Strategies and Partnerships to address Farm Stress and Suicide. The event brings together leaders from USDA and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), farmers and ranchers, technical assistance providers, as well as individuals and other strategic partners, to focus on current challenges with rural mental health. The event will focus on the federal government’s response across various agencies, as well as best practices and strategies to address stress and mental health issues on the farm and ranch. See more here.

Microbiologists to Study Biofilms Guarding Listeria
Microbiologists in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences have received a $605,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to study how microbial biofilms protect Listeria monocytogenes, the bacterium that causes the deadly foodborne illness listeriosis. Jasna Kovac, Lester Earl and Veronica Casida Career Development Professor of Food Safety, along with Luke LaBorde, professor of food science, will use the funding from USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture to conduct research on the interactions between microorganisms found in fruit-packing environments and Listeria monocytogenes. See more here.

How Technology is Changing the Game in Greenhouse Grown
Talk about a growth spurt — the global indoor farming market size was valued at $39.5 billion in 2021 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.5% from 2022 to 2030, according to San Francisco-based market research and consulting company Grand View Research.

As North American greenhouse growers expand their facilities to meet increasing demand for fruit and vegetables grown indoors, many are turning to high-tech solutions to maximize operational efficiencies. See more here.

Spinach Crown Mites in Spinach
Spinach crown mites Rhizoglyphus sp. feed within the folds of new leaves in the crown of spinach plants. This feeding causes the new leaves to become deformed as they grow (Figs.1 and 2). Crown mite adults are extremely small bulbous nearly transparent mites that also may have a yellow-beige body color with reddish-brown legs (Fig 3). A good characteristic to look for to identify these mites is the sparse long hairs mostly found on the back end of the mite (Fig. 3). Crown mite eggs are spherical and clear and laid on the creased leaf surfaces in the crown area. Some reports state that crown mites can act as vectors for plant pathogens such as Pythium and Rhizoctonia, but this is not definitive. See more here.

Farmworker Awareness Week Drives Increasing Attention
Farmworker Awareness Week was successful for Equitable Food Initiative, the workforce development and certification organization that partners with growers, farmworkers, retailers and consumer groups. The second year of promoting Farmworker Awareness Week generated more than 1.5 million social impressions and caught the attention of politicians, government agencies and businesses. “There are more than 2.5 million farmworkers that grow, care for, harvest, pack and ship food to ensure a healthy supply chain and nutrition for this nation,” LeAnne Ruzzamenti, EFI’s director of marketing communications, said in a news release. See more here.

Cold Damage and Wind Injury in Vegetables
Over the last 2 weeks we have had freezing temperatures in some locations, high winds, and wind-blown sand that have damaged early planted vegetables. May 7 and 8 saw sustained high winds with peak gusts over 30 mph causing significant plant stress and injury.

This combination has resulted in extensive damage in vegetable crops. Some symptoms are marginal leaf burn, leaf bleaching, leaf desiccation, leaf dropping, stem browning, and in some cases, plant losses. Symptoms are most severe on newly transplanted crops or transplants that have not yet rooted in well. In conventionally tilled field there was extensive sandblasting on our light soils with high winds. See more here.

Smart Packaging Ideas for Produce Growers Looking to Gain Ground in Retail
Faced with months of disrupted supply chains, retailers across the country are examining every aspect of their businesses to find ways to reduce costs and streamline getting food to their customers. As a result, more and more growers are wrapping and packaging crops during harvest. And many who didn’t previously have packing houses are adding them.

With that in mind, the more you can do to make retailers’ jobs easier, the more appealing you’ll be as a customer. One small but impactful way to do so is to make your packaging as consumer friendly as possible, Scott Calandra, Produce Buyer for Meijer stores, told growers in a session at Great Lakes Expo in December 2021. See more here.

USDA Invests $22.5 Million in Water Quality Improvements in Chesapeake Bay
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today it will invest an additional $22.5 million in conservation assistance in fiscal year 2022 to help farmers boost water quality improvements and conservation in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The new Chesapeake Bay States’ Partnerships Initiative will support Bay-area farmers, building on a $1.1 billion investment made by USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) over the past decade. USDA is also announcing a new task force – jointly with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – to better quantify the voluntary conservation efforts of farmers in the Bay watershed. See more here.

The Value of Windbreaks for Early Vegetable Production
We are seeing great benefits with the use of high-quality windbreaks in vegetables in 2022.
Windbreaks are a very useful tool for producing early vegetables. Most commonly, rye is used because it grows taller than other small grains and elongates in April. Using rye windbreaks requires planning because they are planted the previous fall (September-October).

Windbreaks can be planted between every vegetable bed, every 2-3 beds, or in drive row areas only. For early protection, every-bed windbreaks are recommended. Most commonly a drill is used and 2-4, 7” drill rows of rye are planted, and the other drill spouts are blocked off to leave the area where the vegetable crop will grow (bed areas) unplanted. As an alternative, the field can be solid planted and areas between windbreaks can be tilled in early spring to terminate the rye in bed areas. Windbreaks can be use in bare ground systems but are most effective when combined with plasticulture. See more here.

Sales and Classified Ads
Positions Available
Agriculture Acquisition Manager – This position is responsible for managing all purchased and donated agricultural related products. Purchase and replenish all agricultural category items to supplement the receipt of the daily food donations and keep the food bank stocked in fresh, frozen and shelf stable food items. Manage the purchases and relationships need to maintain and grow the agriculture related programs and grants. Foster new and maintain existing relationships with current agriculture partners.  Travel 2+ days each week visiting farms, farmers, auctions, farmers markets, and co-ops. For a full job description, please visit our website at https://www.centralpafoodbank.org/who-we-are/job-opportunities/
 
Retail/Farm Coordinator – This position is responsible for identification, development, training and recognition of new and existing retail donors and agency partners. Attend store meetings and store training sessions. Monitor and report donation progress to store managers and district managers. Locate, visit, and retain agricultural partners, farmers, farmers market, co-ops, auctions, etc. Evaluate and cultivate relationships to expand fresh products going to food bank partners. Perform outside sales and travel throughout the food bank’s 27-county service territory.  For a full job description, please visit our website at https://www.centralpafoodbank.org/who-we-are/job-opportunities/

For Sale
Celli Spading Machine X40 160 Spader 
$2,500. Good used condition. It tills a 5' bed. Runs good, just used it this spring. Purchased new in 2011 original owner. Please call Dave at 814-852-8825 for more info. 5/7

Rain-Flo 2600 Plastic Mulch Layer.
Adjustable bed height, 3’-5’ adjustable width. Dual drip irrigation. Excellent condition, $3800 OBO. 215-906-7895. 4/16

Classified Ads and Sale Notices are are free for PVGA members. Email your information to us pvga@pvga.org.
Reminders and Coming Events
Reminder: PVGA Scholarship Applications Extended to May 15
PVGA is pleased to be able offer several annual scholarships in the amount of $1,000 to $2,000 in memory of Rudolph Grob of Millersville who served the Association for 50 years as a Director, 20 years as Secretary-Treasurer and for over 20 years as manager of the Association’s Farm Show Booth. Mr. Grob was a horticulture graduate of Penn State University who was employed for many years at Funk’s Farm Market in Millersville. See details on the scholarships and the application form here.

PVGA Accepting Applications for Executive Director
PVGA is seeking to hire or contract with a person to serve as its Executive Director. The Executive Director is responsible for overseeing and administering the activities and business of the Association under the direction of the Board of Directors. Candidates with an agricultural/horticultural background and/or experience/familiarity with association management are preferred. Additional services as needed, such as clerical, accounting, or other services, may also be hired or contracted by the Association.

PVGA activities are concentrated in the months of November to February. They include the planning Board Meeting in early December, followed by the Farm Show Food Booth in early January, followed by the Mid Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Convention in late January/early February. Consequently, focus and flexibility in the Executive Director’s work and schedule are essential in this time frame.

The Association does not have a physical office location because PVGA historically contracted for its management service. Therefore, whether hired or contracted, the successful candidate will need to establish an office in which to conduct the Association’s business. To ensure a smooth transition, the Association also expects the candidate to serve for a transition period of six to twelve months working with the current Executive Director.

If you are interested in applying, see the full position description and application instructions at www.pvga.org/executive director  or request them at pvga@pvga.org. If you know someone who would be a good candidate, please pass this information on to them. Applications are currently being reviewed and will continue to be accepted until a candidate is selected.

Free Webinar: Social Responsibility in Fresh Produce
May 19 1 - 2 p.m. CST
Today’s consumer is growing more and more interested in issues surrounding social responsibility. They care about transparency, equity, environment and people. But what are the real issues causing them to vote with their wallets when it comes to purchase behavior and brand loyalty?
Join us as LeAnne Ruzzamenti of EFI and Chris Padgett, a consultant with Working Strategy and former Vice President/Head of Digital at Nestle USA, dive into the big issues that drive consumer consciousness and ultimately impact purchase behavior and brand loyalty. See more here.

Farmers Market Manager Forum 2022
The Farmers Market Manager Forum will hold its monthly meeting of 2022 on May 25 at 3pm. Make sure you register so you can receive the Zoom link! See here to register. To view the recording from the March 30 meeting click here.

The Farmers Market Manager Forum is a meeting in which managers can discuss issues and share best practices with one another for improving their markets. Attendees are encouraged to bring their questions and to participate in open discussion This forum is held on the last Wednesday of every month. Support for this program comes from the Farmers Market Promotion Program Grant from the Agricultural Marketing Service of the USDA.

Next Berry Growers Info Exchange is June 13th
PVGA is continuing to host a monthly get-together for berry growers on the second Monday night of the month at 8:00 p.m.  Meetings are designed to give growers a chance to get time-sensitive updates on current issues from state and regional extension personnel, exchange info with other growers, get answers to their questions, or just listen in or bounce thoughts off of others.  Kathy Demchak is the host.  
 
Calls are open to PVGA members and non-members to maximize information exchange, so spread the word and invite your friends and neighbors to join. 
The call-in numbers are (be aware that this is not a toll-free call):
+1 929 436 2866 US (New York)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC).
The meeting ID is 830 7702 1881
If you have questions, contact us at pvga@pvga.org or 717-694-3596.

Weekly Pest Management Teleconference Each Wednesday at 12:30 p.m.
On Wednesday, April 20 at 12:30 pm EST, Steve Bogash of Marrone Bio Innovations will be starting the third season of weekly pest management education teleconferences. These calls are for growers, retailers and crop consultants. The calls will last 30 minutes and will begin at 12:30 PM EST. The first 15 minutes will be reports on seasonal and active pest management challenges in vegetables and small fruit. Then, we will open the call to discussion and Q & A. The calls will be recorded and accessible thru the playback number below. Guest experts will often be on the calls with a schedule to follow soon. See more here.

Wholesale Buying and Selling Through Produce Auctions
Wholesale produce auctions are advantageous for wholesale buyers and growers alike. Participating can seem daunting to a first-timer, but we will show you how to successfully buy and sell at the auction. During Wholesale Buying and Selling Through Produce Auctions, join us for a tour of the auction facility; an informational session on the nuts and bolts of buying and selling at the auction; and a live demonstration led by an auctioneer.

Penn State Extension will be offering these tours on the following dates from 8:30 t0 10:00 a.m.:
June 7 – Leola Produce Auction
June 14 – Oxford Produce Auction
June 30 – Juniata Produce Auction
July 5 – Kutztown Produce Auction
See more here.