Rats have taken an unusual interest in the specialty crop capital of the nation. Many attribute the cause to the pest multiplying unchecked in orchards and vineyards in the Central Valley that have been abandoned due to water restrictions and economic challenges. This becomes a real problem when the rats move into neighboring farms in active production, tearing up driplines, feeding on crops and damaging trees. Growers are in a state of emergency and have limited tools for managing this pest.Malcolm Media Editor-in-Chief Matthew Malcolm met with UCCE Wildlife Specialist Roger Baldwin at the California Association of Pest Control Adviser’s annual conference to gain answers on how to knock down populations effectively and keep the pest at bay.Watch this brief interview and learn more by attending Baldwin’s presentation on rat control at the Grape, Nut & Tree Fruit Expo at the Fresno Fairgrounds on Nov. 14 (register to attend at agexpo.biz).
The U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) crowned Pluff as the $20,000 grand prize winner and Bonny as the $10,000 runner-up of the first-ever Blueberry Boost Accelerator Pitch Competition, held earlier this month at The Blueberry Convention 2025 in Seattle. The competition marked the finale of the Blueberry Boost Accelerator, a nine-week program developed by USHBC in partnership with innovation advisory firm VentureFuel to fuel forward-thinking product innovation and elevate blueberries as a hero ingredient across food, beverage and beyond.
Through dedicated mentorship, strategic guidance and industry connections, the program equipped four startup brands and their founders with the insights, tools and network to accelerate commercialization and long-term growth. Mentors and speakers included experts from leading organizations across the blueberry and consumer packaged goods (CPG) industries.
The four participants in the cohort and October 9 pitch competition were:Bonny (New York), a prebiotic fiber supplement powder; Farmer Bob’s “Beyond Berries™” (Salem, Ore.), an upcycled frozen berry product fused with dates; Pluff (Orlando, Fla.), a high-protein whipped mousse dessert; and Sorbatto’s“Blue Cream” (Wapato, Wash.), a dairy-free frozen dessert made from 75% highbush blueberries.
Pitches were evaluated by a live panel of industry experts, including Kasey Cronquist, president, U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council; George Daines, director of sales and business development, Cultivate CPG; Amira Khatib, vice president, Bluestein Ventures; Jeff Malensky, president, Oregon Berry Packing Inc.; and Kellie Peaslee, supplier manager, KeHE Food Distributors.
Pluff captured the judges’ attention with its whipped, mousse-style, blueberry-flavored dessert that delivers 20 grams of protein and just 4 grams of sugar per serving.
“Being in this cohort really opened my eyes to different ways blueberries can be utilized, and I’m happy that I’m one of those innovators who can showcase the value that blueberries bring, especially in the protein and wellness product industry,” said founder Dylan Paul. “To be recognized as the grand prize winner is incredible. The $20,000 will put us in the right position to scale and get into retail, which is our number one goal in the next six to 12 months.”
Bonny, runner-up and recipient of the $10,000 prize, uses blueberries as a natural flavoring agent in its prebiotic fiber powders.
“Being part of this cohort opened my eyes to the innovation happening in the blueberry food product industry.It’s amazing what people are doing with blueberries,” said Jessica Postiglione, founder and CEO. “It feels amazing to be runner-up for the pitch competition — this means so much for our business. The funds will go directly toward inventory, which is critical as we continue to grow.”
In addition to pitching live, all four companies exhibited on The Blueberry Convention’sBlueberry Row, sampling with attendees and connecting directly with blueberry growers, handlers, marketers and other industry stakeholders.
“This program underscores the incredible innovation happening at the intersection of food, beverage and agriculture,” said USHBC’s Cronquist. “We extend our sincere congrats to these founders, who are reimagining what’s possible with blueberries — taking them from the fruit we all know and love to a true hero ingredient across categories. The Blueberry Convention provided an excellent forum for our industry to experience this innovation firsthand by engaging directly with these entrepreneurs, tasting their products and seeing their passion and creativity come alive on the main stage.”
“Our winners — and the full cohort — demonstrate how creativity becomes commerce when startups and industry leaders collaborate,” said Fred Schonenberg, founder and CEO of VentureFuel. “Blueberries have become a launchpad for innovation — fueling new ideas, new products and new ways for consumers to experience this extraordinary fruit.” For more information on the program and this year’s winners, visit blueberryboostaccelerator.com.
About the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council
Established in 2000, The U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) is a federal agriculture research and promotion program with independent oversight from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). USHBC represents blueberry growers and packers in North and South America who market their blueberries in the United States and overseas, and works to promote the growth and well-being of the entire blueberry industry. USHBC was established by blueberry growers and currently has 2,500 growers, packers, exporters and importers. USHBC is committed to providing blueberries that are grown, harvested, packed and shipped in clean, safe environments. Learn more at ushbc.blueberry.org and blueberry.org.
About VentureFuel
VentureFuel is an independent innovation advisory firm that helps the world’s best organizations commercialize innovation to ignite change by working with startups. Its innovation programs help enterprise organizations learn, test, build and invest in emerging technology to solve their biggest problems today and unlock new sources of growth. VentureFuel provides organizations like Hershey’s, Comcast, Dick’s Sporting Goods, AARP Foundation and the State of California the tools to drive transformative change with less risk, more speed, and greater proximity to the consumer than traditional innovation models. Learn more at venturefuel.net, LinkedIn, X, and Instagram, and listen to The VentureFuel Visionaries podcast wherever you get your podcasts.
In a gathering that underscored the enduring spirit of innovation and generosity in California’s “Salad Bowl of the World,” David and Susan Gill received the prestigious E.E. ‘Gene’ Harden Lifetime Achievement Award from the Grower-Shipper Association of Central California (GSA). The October 3 event at TPC Pasadera drew more than 275 local leaders, peers, and colleagues, transforming the evening into a tribute to the Salinas Valley’s agricultural legacy. Net proceeds from the event will support causes deeply cherished by the Gills: First Tee Monterey County, which empowers youth through golf and life skills, and the Mission San Antonio de Padua in southern Monterey County, which preserves cultural heritage and community vitality.
The E.E. ‘Gene’ Harden Lifetime Achievement Award, established in 2004, stands as a beacon of excellence recognizing individuals whose exemplary contributions have advanced agriculture across the Salinas Valley and Central Coast while uplifting the lives of those in their communities. Awarded by peers, colleagues, and even competitors who share a first-hand knowledge of the region’s challenges and triumphs, the honor carries unique importance for those whose actions not only cultivate crops but also advance future generations in our region.
Rising through the ranks with an unwavering focus on efficiency and stewardship, David Gill has pioneered advancements in crop rotation, water conservation, and supply chain logistics, setting enduring benchmarks for California’s vegetable sector and enhancing yields while preserving precious resources. His wife, Susan Gill, has amplified their impact through tireless advocacy for education, workforce development, and health programs. Both have dedicated significant time and resources to local community groups and organizations, supporting students and families in the region. “The Gills are the embodiment of what makes our valley thrive—not just in terms of the crops harvested, but in lives enriched and futures illuminated,” said Christopher Valadez, GSA President and CEO. Joined on stage by GSA Past-Chairman Tony Alameda, Valadez presented the award to the Gills and also honored past recipients.
Eugene E. “Gene” Harden was a Salinas Valley pioneer whose bold vision reshaped American agriculture. Born in 1892 to Irish immigrants, Harden arrived in Salinas in the 1920s, founding the E.E. Harden Packing Company, where he developed revolutionary crop rotation techniques that boosted yields and sustainability. Harden was a founding architect of the GSA. Ercia Harden, together with her husband Gene, deeply believed in philanthropy and established the Harden Foundation in 1963. Dedicated to bolstering Salinas Valley charities, their joint legacy reflects a belief that agricultural success must nurture community well-being—from education and health initiatives to cultural preservation—principles that continue to inspire awardees like the Gills today.
About the Grower-Shipper Association of Central California:
Founded in 1930, the Grower-Shipper Association of Central California is a pioneering, independent regional organization that unites farmers, shippers, processors, and harvesters, with a mission to advance families, food, and farming to enhance the quality of life in the Salinas Valley and Central Coast. Through advocacy, education, and collaboration, GSA protects the land, its people, and the future of the “Salad Bowl of the World.” For more information, visit www.growershipper.com.
The U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) is proud to announce the graduation of the third class of fellows in its Blueberry Industry Leadership Program. The graduation took place today at The Blueberry Convention in Seattle.
The event marks the culmination of one year of hands-on learning, immersive industry experiences and professional development designed to cultivate the next generation of leaders in the blueberry industry.
“The Blueberry Industry Leadership Program is more than a year of training — it’s an investment in the future of our industry. By equipping emerging leaders with the skills, experiences and networks they need to succeed, we’re ensuring that blueberries remain at the forefront of agriculture, innovation and global growth for generations to come,” said Amanda Griffin, vice president of engagement and education for the USHBC and the North American Blueberry Council (NABC).
As part of their graduation, Class 3 fellows presented their capstone project — a comprehensive educational toolkit for schools designed to teach children about blueberries. This robust resource includes a 16-page activity book, a memory card game, lifecycle videos, kid-friendly recipes, and engaging lessons on how blueberries grow and their health benefits. The toolkit equips teachers and parents with a one-stop shop for blueberry education and reflects the fellows’ shared commitment to growing the next generation of blueberry lovers.
“Seeing this talented and inquisitive group of individuals continue to evolve into blueberry industry leaders over the past year has been a true privilege,” said Mandy Boarman, industry and community engagement manager for USHBC and NABC. “We have no doubt their passion and expertise will be instrumental in guiding the industry toward a successful future.”
Blueberry Leadership Program Class 3 Fellows
Yvan Berrospi, Family Tree Farms
Gabriel Bocock, Bumbleberry Acres
Joshua Carlton, JLC Farms
Sergio Carrasco, The Fruitist Company
Jake Johnson, Fall Creek
Stephanie Kleiner, Driscoll’s
Peter Machala, Wakefern Food Corp.
Brody Schropp, MBG Marketing
Zach Semerikov, Scenic Fruit
Jessica Silver, United Exports Sales and Marketing
Applications Now Open for Class 4
USHBC is now accepting applications for the fourth class of fellows who will begin their leadership journey in March 2026. The program welcomes up to 10 emerging leaders from across the blueberry supply chain who demonstrate a commitment to the industry’s growth and success.
“Our goal for the upcoming year is to continue identifying and empowering future leaders of the blueberry industry,” said Griffin. “As we begin our fourth year of the program, we’re reminded that leadership in agriculture is built through education, collaboration and a commitment to constant improvement. This program helps foster those values, while creating long-lasting relationships that strengthen our industry.”
About the Program
The Blueberry Industry Leadership Program, generously sponsored by Fall Creek, is the first of its kind in the blueberry industry. It features:
One year of in-depth leadership development.
Exposure to key components of the produce supply chain.
Interaction with industry veterans and stakeholders.
A capstone project that contributes to the industry’s mission.
Fellows will participate in a combination of in-person and virtual sessions between March 2026 and September 2027, including four in-person gatherings, culminating in a graduation ceremony at the 2027 Blueberry Convention. To support program costs and materials, each fellow pays a $2,500 participation fee.
How to Apply
USHBC is seeking candidates who:
Are emerging leaders in agriculture, preferably with blueberry industry experience.
Hold mid-level management roles.
Have at least five years of experience in agriculture.
Demonstrate passion, leadership potential and a commitment to the blueberry industry.
Applicants must complete an application form and submit a letter of recommendation.They will be evaluated based on leadership potential, career relevance and overall fit. Finalists will be interviewed in June and July 2026, and selections will be announced shortly after.
Established in 2000, The U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) is a federal agriculture research and promotion program with independent oversight from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). USHBC represents blueberry growers and packers in North and South America who market their blueberries in the United States and overseas, and works to promote the growth and well-being of the entire blueberry industry. USHBC was established by blueberry growers and currently has 2,500 growers, packers and importers. USHBC is committed to providing blueberries that are grown, harvested, packed and shipped in clean, safe environments. Learn more at ushbc.org.
An invention developed by two Cornell doctoral students that turns engineered tomato plants a vivid red when soil nitrogen levels are low has been named a finalist in the national Collegiate Inventors Competition.
The RedAlert Living Sensors, created by Jacob Belding and Ava Forystek, is one of five finalists contending in the graduate student category of the competition, run by the National Inventors Hall of Fame.
Developed through the National Science Foundation’s Center for Research on Programmable Plant Systems (CROPPS), the students’ genetically modified sensor plants could one day help gardeners, farmers and hydroponic growers assess if their plants need more nitrogen. When the sentinel plants turn red, growers may then target where and when to fertilize. Farmers currently apply up to 50% more nitrogen than needed, which has led to run-off that pollutes groundwater and lakes, where it promotes harmful algae blooms.
Graduate students Ava Forystek (left) and Jacob Belding check tomato plants.
The two students will present their invention in a “Shark Tank” style pitch to a panel of judges composed of some of the most influential inventors and invention experts in the country on Oct. 16 in Washington, D.C. The judges, including National Inventors Hall of Fame inductees and U.S. Patent and Trademark Office officials, will select two top teams and a people’s choice award, each of which will receive cash prizes and a form that fast-tracks patent acquisition. An undergraduate contest will also take place.
Currently, one common method for detecting nitrogen deficiencies in plants assesses yellowing and wilting in leaves. By the time leaves turn yellow, the plant is already stressed from low nutrients.
“We like to use the analogy of a dog that whines when it’s hungry,” said Forystek, who works in the lab of Neil Mattson, professor in the school of Integrative Plant Science Horticulture Section in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. “It would be kind of ridiculous to wait until you feel its ribs to feed it.”
The RedAlert Living Sensors take advantage of a native pathway where the plant detects nitrogen around its roots and translates those signals to the rest of the plant. The tomato plants used in the project were genetically modified to express a red pigment when root zone nitrogen is low. Shades of redness also reflect varying gradients of available soil nitrogen.
“We’re taking a signal from the roots where the plant first notices there’s not enough nitrogen in the soil and it translates that into visible pigment, so we can see on the plant that it is hungry for nitrogen, but it’s not already starving,” said Belding, a member of the lab of Abraham Stroock, the Gordon L. Dibble ’50 Professor in the Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering in Cornell Engineering.
Stroock and Mattson are team advisers, along with Margaret Frank, associate professor in the School of Integrative Plant Science, Plant Biology Section, in CALS, who first came up with the idea for the nitrogen-sensing plants.
One day, farmers may be able to plant tomato sentinel seeds in their corn fields to monitor nitrogen levels; home gardeners might use them in their backyards; and hydroponic growers might employ them to ensure their systems’ plumbing is distributing the necessary nutrients.
“It’s amazing to see this technology move from our research labs into the world where it can positively impact sustainable agriculture,” Frank said.
In large field systems, tractors already equipped with cameras that read infrared and visible wavelengths could survey crop fields for interspersed sentinel plants, to inform farmers of nitrogen needs. The team is exploring the development of a smartphone app that would directly correlate sensor plant leaf colors to root zone nitrogen levels. In this way, small farmers could monitor their fields with their phones.
“It’s kind of a democratization of these smart agriculture tools that have seen a lot of popularity in the past decade, but are mostly restricted to pretty sophisticated, expensive systems, with highly technically trained operators,” Belding said. “This could be a smart ag device that is affordable and can be easily used by even a home gardener.”
Initial work on the project was done by Brandon Williams, M.S. ’23, Ph.D. ’25, a former member of Frank’s lab, and Yinan Wu, a former postdoctoral researcher in the lab of Sijin Li, assistant professor in the Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering in Cornell Engineering. Forystek has helped Belding and other engineers work in the greenhouses and in better understanding challenges of field applications. — By Krishna Ramanujan, Cornell University
Every year, as the presses churn and the sweet smell of cider fills the autumn air, more than 4 million tons of apple byproducts are hauled off as animal feed, compost or landfill waste. But a new Cornell study offers apple skins, seeds, cores and pulp a different ending.
Freeze-dried and milled into a fine powder, the byproduct, known as pomace, can be blended into commercial beef meatballs at levels up to 20% without turning off consumers, according to a new study published Sept. 12 in the Journal of Food Science and Nutrition. In sensory panels of more than 100 untrained tasters, the meatballs with apple pomace were indistinguishable in aroma, taste, texture and overall preference from all meat formulations.
Doctoral student Peter Gracey works in the Leslie J. Herzog ’77 and Jacqueline Beckley Food Innovation Lab. Photo by Sreang Hok, Cornell University.
“It’s a great source of fiber and bioactives,” said corresponding author Elad Tako, associate professor of food science in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. “But as an ingredient, it also has an antioxidant effect and contributes to a longer shelf life for food products.”
The finding is more than a kitchen curiosity. It also points toward a potential new revenue stream for apple and cider producers in New York state and a practical way to close a circular loop in food manufacturing. Rather than paying to dispose of pomace, processors could freeze-dry and sell it as a value-added ingredient to meat packers, food manufacturers and specialty producers.
That shift could trim disposal costs, reduce methane emissions from landfills and capture additional dollars from a resource now treated as waste. At the same time, it could increase dietary fiber content in popular processed foods and modestly reduce the share of animal protein without changing the eating experience.
“I’ve always had a passion for sustainability,” said Peter Gracey, first author and doctoral student in Tako’s lab. “There have been other experiments exploring the use of grape and apple pomace as an ingredient in other meat products.”
Gracey said they tested a realistic commercial scenario. They bought Cortland, Empire and Red Delicious apples at wholesale, pressed them at a commercial juice press, then freeze-dried the leftover pomace for 48 hours. After milling the dried material to a consistent particle size, they rehydrated it and blended it into 80% lean ground beef at 10% and 20% inclusion rates.
Beyond the tasting panels, they measured texture, color, composition and cooking yields. The 20% formulations did show a drop in cooking yield and a shift in internal color that might matter to manufacturers who need to meet specification standards. But the sensory panel did not penalize the higher inclusion levels, suggesting consumers may accept small changes if the product is otherwise familiar.
The benefits flow in multiple directions, Tako said. For cider makers and juice processors, pomace accounts for an estimated 25-30% of the total fruit mass. Handling that volume is expensive. Transportation and disposal costs can eat into already tight margins, especially for small and mid-sized processors. Turning pomace into a dry, shelf-stable ingredient means less waste-hauling and a marketable product that could be packaged, sold and distributed. For regional processors seeking new revenue streams, the approach could be appealing.
For meat producers, the ingredient adds pectin, fiber, polyphenols and micronutrients – all benefits that could be advertised in a “better for you” food package. Many populations fall short on recommended fiber intake. Adding fruit-derived fiber to processed meat products could help close that gap without asking consumers to change deeply ingrained habits. The approach may be especially useful in institutional settings such as schools, hospitals and workplaces where familiar comfort foods are served at scale, according to the researchers, among them Olga Padilla-Zakour, Seneca Foods Foundation Professor and director of the Food Venture Center, Cornell AgriTech.
From a climate perspective, diverting pomace from landfills curbs methane emissions and reduces the environmental footprint of juice and cider production. Replacing part of the meat in processed foods with plant material lowers the embedded greenhouse gas intensity of those items. The study citesresearch indicating that substantial reductions in processed and red meat consumption could lead to steep declines in food-system emissions.
Globally, apple production topped 97 million metric tons in 2023. New York state is the second-largest apple producer in the U.S., home to thousands of apple growers and a growing number of small cider houses and juice operations. The prospect of a local market for pomace could keep dollars within regional supply chains, according to Tako. Instead of trucking wet waste to distant composting sites, a processor in the Finger Lakes could partner with a meat co-packer or snack-food manufacturer in the region.
The exact size of the potential market will depend on a string of practical issues, Gracey said: how much pomace producers can economically dry, how quickly they can supply consistent lots and whether food manufacturers will invest in formulation and labeling changes. Freeze-drying preserves bioactive compounds and structure, but it is energy-intensive and requires capital equipment or third-party services. Simpler drying technologies might work, too, but would need careful validation to preserve color, flavor and food safety.
If adopted, Tako said, “it’s a win-win-win. It could mean more natural, better-for-you products for meat companies and the people who care about getting enough protein and other nutrients, but also provide a new income stream for apple and cider producers.” — By Laura Reiley, Cornell University
Boil them, mash them, stick them in a stew – potatoes are the most-consumed vegetable in New York and the U.S., accounting for $100 billion of the U.S. economy. Although New York’s share of total potato production has decreased over time, with most crops now being grown in the west, the Empire State still punches above its weight in supporting the national potato industry, thanks to Cornell University’s 160-year-old potato breeding program and its network of farmer and processor collaborators, who work hand-in-hand to develop new varieties grown across the country.
Cornell’s outsize impact on the potato industry stems from having developed over 50 varieties, including the most-grown variety used nationwide for making potato chips, and varieties resistant to the invasive golden nematode (a devastating potato pest), said Walter De Jong, professor of plant breeding and genetics.
“The processing quality of our potatoes is probably the best in the world, and that would not be possible without many decades of effort and cooperation between scientists, growers and processors,” De Jong said. “The breeding program I inherited was one with excellent communication between breeders and stakeholders – when I was interviewed at Cornell 20-some years ago, there was a potato grower even on the search committee. Those kinds of relationships are hard to start, but once they go, they’re fantastic.”
Walter De Jong introduces recent Cornell potato varieties to farmers at an extension event he has been hosting every year for the past two decades. Photo: Pia Spychalla
Protecting Potatoes from Pests
Robert Plaisted, professor emeritus of plant breeding and genetics, oversaw Cornell’s potato breeding program for almost half a century, from 1956-2000. The biggest challenge he addressed was protecting potatoes from the invasive golden nematode, a microscopic worm that feeds on potato roots, stunting growth and drastically reducing yield. The nematode was first discovered in Long Island in 1941.
The potato variety “Marcy” grows in front of the mountain in New York’s Adirondacks it is named after in 2003. Photo: Keith Perry
“At the time, the control method was fumigation,” Plaisted said. “But a few years into the program, they discovered on the research farm that the well from which the irrigation water was being pumped had signs of the fumigant. The well water on Long Island is sacred, so they immediately prohibited the further application of the nematicide.”
Along with breeders at Cornell and in Maine, Plaisted acquired wild South American potato varieties resistant to nematodes, and crossed them with Scottish seeds, better adapted for New York’s long daylight growing periods. The researchers began releasing golden nematode-resistant varieties that effectively controlled the pest, without the fumigant pesticide.
Robert Plaisted is inspecting potato plants at Cornell AES’ Campus Area Farms in 2004, when he was leading Cornell’s potato breeding program. Photo: provided
Since then, almost every Cornell variety released includes such resistance, De Jong said. And because Cornell varieties are so widely grown across the country, they are now used as breeding stock in other programs, so that resistant varieties are also being released by other breeders, he said. In the U.S., careful monitoring and regulation have prevented the pest from spreading outside New York – for now.
“If golden nematodes ever do appear someplace else, there are resistant varieties being used everywhere,” De Jong said. “Out of everything our program has done, I’m most proud that we’ve spread nematode resistance across the country – it’s almost the equivalent of a vaccination.”
Walter De Jong’s lab is producing fresh potato chips and enjoying a taste test as part of the evaluation. Photo: Allison Usavage
Progress through collaboration
The Mahany family understands better than most the devastation that can result from potato pests and diseases. The Irish potato famine of 1845 led Cain Mahany to immigrate from Ireland to North America, where he began a new potato farm in Maine. His descendants relocated to Arkport, New York in the mid-20th century, where the current Mahany Farms grows 2,300 acres of primarily potatoes, field corn and wheat.
For at least 55 years, Mahany Farms has collaborated with Cornell potato breeders to test potential new varieties in real-world conditions, said grower Gary Mahany. In 1997, Plaisted named a new variety Reba after Gary’s mother, to honor the family’s long-term support of the program and all women in the potato industry, Mahany said.
Participating in plant breeding trials means that almost every year, Cornell researchers come to the farm and provide seed potatoes of 10-12 potential new varieties. The growers watch for yield, pest and disease resistance, drought tolerance, storage quality, and factors important to their processors. The Mahanys grow potatoes for the Wise company, and for chipping, potatoes need to be small, round, not easily bruised, and have low water content, Mahany said. The family makes time in its busy schedule to participate in growing trials “because it matters,” he said.
“We want to get a look at the new varieties as quick as we can, not just for ourselves but for other growers who don’t necessarily take the time,” Mahany said. “That’s the best way you can have input into whether a variety stays around or whether the breeding program drops it. It’s not just for us, it’s for everybody.”
Cornell’s potato program produces and evaluates chips from their potato varieties. Photo: provided
The success of Cornell’s breeding program comes in large part from the researchers’ active engagement with industry and growers, said Chris Hansen, general manager of CSS Farms in Bliss, NY. The Bliss farm has collaborated on testing new varieties for at least 30 years, and De Jong released a 2023 variety “Bliss” in honor of that relationship. The farm produces 70,000 tons of potatoes on 4,400 acres, and their crops go into Cape Cod, Kettle, Utz, Herr’s and Middlesworth potato chips.
CSS Farms in Bliss, NY, has been testing Cornell’s new potato varieties for at least 30 years. Pictured: Chris Hansen, the farm’s general manager. Photo: Shanna Hansen
Hansen also participates in the Variety Development Committee Cornell established to bring together growers and processors with potato breeders. The group has met every year for decades.
“We’re able to give Walter feedback about what we need, what we want to see, and he listens and values our input – that’s been the success of the program, is everyone collaborating together and Walter making decisions based on that feedback,” Hansen said. “In my opinion, it’s the best program in the nation.”
Potato breeder Walter De Jong and his field manager, Matt Falise, are discussing selection decisions during the harvest. Photo: Pia Spychalla
Public support makes breakthroughs possible
Cornell has supported potato breeding efforts almost since the university’s founding in 1865, as New York’s land grant university. Long-term, dedicated support to agricultural research is crucial for making the kinds of breakthroughs that powered the Green Revolution, such as developing varieties that are higher yielding, disease-resistant and best-adapted to various climates, said Margaret Smith, outgoing associate dean and director of the Cornell University Agricultural Experiment Station (Cornell AES). The station manages many of the farms and greenhouses where the university’s plant breeders conduct initial trials. Since 1887, Cornell AES has also distributed federal capacity funding (currently from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute for Food and Agriculture) for states to perform research relevant to agriculture, environmental protection and community well-being.
Plant breeding in particular requires consistent funding to maintain, because new variety development can take 10 years or more, and plant materials will die without facilities and staff to maintain them, Smith said.
“You can’t just stop a breeding program and pick it up next year. When plants in a breeding nursery die, you’ve lost genetic materials that you can never recreate,” said Smith, who is also a corn breeder.
The USDA also supports multi-state research projects, which enable researchers across state borders and disciplines to work together to address regional problems, said Toni DiTommaso, incoming associate dean and director of Cornell AES. Cornell’s potato breeders have participated in multi-state projects for many years, and De Jong currently serves on a collaborative potato breeding and variety development research group tasked with enhancing farm sustainability throughout the Eastern U.S.
“Having that federal funding as a stable backdrop over time allows researchers to continue and progress with their work, which is critical because it often takes many years to achieve results,” DiTommaso said. “Like with agriculture itself, agricultural research requires a lot of patience and commitment.” — By Krisy Gashler, Cornell University Agricultural Experiment Station
E. coli outbreaks in romaine lettuce have long been a public health concern. Between 2000 and 2020, at least 42 foodborne illness outbreaks associated with romaine lettuce were reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Outbreak Reporting System.
And yet, our affection for romaine remains: Of all leafy greens, Americans spend the most on romaine (with iceberg behind by a head).
A new paper in Scientific Reports suggests that a combination of efforts in the field, and even postharvest techniques, can minimize risk to human health. Co-authored by Renata Ivanek, a professor in the Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences in the College of Veterinary Medicine, and Martin Wiedmann, the Gellert Family Professor in Food Safety in the College of Agriculture and Life Science, the paper outlines interventions likely to make a concrete difference in the safety of the nation’s romaine.
“This study supports that interventions should focus on reducing produce contamination via contaminated irrigation water, on assuring that produce washes applied during processing consistently deliver reasonably high reductions of bacterial numbers, and on improving temperature control during distribution,” Wiedmann said.
Ivanek said the study aimed to help industry find ways to do better and to provide consumers a better guarantee of product safety. They began with an advisory council of industry leaders, she said.
“We tried to describe the system as holistically as possible to account for different risk factors and how they could have interactions,” she said. “There’s not just one intervention that will save us all. We spent a lot of time trying to understand the preharvest component, especially the irrigation water piece and how much risk can be explained by that.”
Study results suggested that much contamination originates from irrigation with untreated surface water applied through overhead spray irrigation systems. They found that risk from irrigation was reduced either through water treatments or by switching to furrow or drip irrigation.
“While not the most common system, spray irrigation is used in a number of fields for its benefits during germination, its cooling effect on plants and other reasons. But drip or furrow irrigation reduces the probability that water directly touches the leaves,” Ivanek said, acknowledging that switching to these other irrigation systems introduces significant potential additional costs to grower.
Moving into the postharvest area, the researchers – who included Ece Bulut, formerly a research associate in the Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences and now a senior analyst for Walmart Sourcing – focused on what happens in the processing facilities.
“Lettuce is harvested in batches and all lettuces are washed,” Bulut said. “There is a lot of research in how to make that wash better, but there are still knowledge gaps in the effective amount of chemicals to use and other details of the postharvest wash process to reduce variability of contact time with the wash chemicals.”
And finally, Ivanek and her co-authors explored the importance of maintaining proper cold storage temperatures along the entire supply chain to romaine’s final destination.
“Time and temperature play a role in food safety, and also in food quality and shelf life,” she said, describing a “perfect storm” if contamination happens at the farm or processing level and then improper transportation temperatures allow bacteria to grow.
With Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s current focus on the “Make America Healthy Again” initiative, there is a significant push for Americans to eat more fresh fruits and vegetables. Many of them, as in the case of romaine, are eaten in their raw state, without a cooking “kill step” for bacteria.
The comprehensive practices and interventions explored in this study intend to aid decision-makers in establishing and enhancing food safety best management practices, Ivanek said.
“The big message is the American food supply chain is extremely safe compared to other countries,” she said. “We’re exploring how can we make it even safer and where we should put additional effort.” — By Laura Reiley, Cornell University
Creekside Organics, a grower-shipper representing family farms across California, is celebrating the arrival of citrus season with earlier start dates and expanded programs. The company is also proud to announce the debut of the first certified organic Dulce mandarins in the U.S, sold under their Fruit World label.
The season has already begun with organic California lemons out of the D3 growing region, harvested about four weeks earlier than last year. Organic grapefruit and sweet limes are kicking off this week, with mandarins following. Organic navels are on track for early November, and Cara Caras will start in December, expanded by three blocks that obtained organic certification this year.
Operational improvements supported Creekside’s growth this season. The Reedley packing facility, previously operated by Eastside Packing, is now leased by Cobblestone Fruit, whose leadership and investment are positioning the site for continued growth. This transition strengthens Creekside’s relationship with the operation and supports the consistency and capacity of its citrus programs. Importantly, customers will not see any changes to Fruit World packs.
One highlight of this season is the introduction of Fruit World’s organic Dulce mandarins. Developed by co-CEO Bianca Kaprielian’s father and harvested just before clementines, Dulce mandarins completed their three-year organic transition this year, allowing Creekside to bring them to market as certified organic for the first time.
“This variety is really special to us—sweet, tangy, and the first organic mandarin of the season,” said Kaprielian. “It’s a true celebration of what makes citrus season so exciting.”
Kaprielian also highlighted another family favorite: organic clementines from Sky Ranch, grown in an area known for its mineral-rich soils and unique hillside microclimate. “These mandarins are hands down the best you’ll eat all season,” she said. The mandarins from Sky Ranch will be ready in mid to late November and are not to be missed.
Creekside is building consistency across its organic lemon program with expanded acreage, ensuring a year-round supply for retailers. “Shoppers rely on lemons, so they are a great way to drive repeat sales,” said co-CEO Brenda Haught.
On the specialty side, Cara Cara production is also ramping up thanks to young blocks coming into maturity. This gives retailers more opportunities to promote this consumer favorite, which is known for its bright color and sweet-tangy flavor. Creekside also increased volume on kumquats, Minneolas, and blood oranges. Sweet limes are poised to stand out this season thanks to their unique flavor and versatility in cooking and juicing.
Haught encourages retailers to build citrus programs that balance core items with intriguing specialties, adjusting assortments as the season progresses. “The best citrus displays showcase abundance, variety, and flavor. Colorful sets that mix bagged and bulk fruit side by side draw shoppers in and invite them to discover something new,” she explained.
As winter approaches, Creekside Organics and its Fruit World label give retailers a dazzling variety
of in-season organic staples and specialty varieties. They’re the ideal ingredients for vibrant produce sets that shoppers will remember.
Creekside Organics, Inc. is a leading certified organic grower-shipper based in California, sourcing from organic farms across California and Mexico. Offering year-round organic fruit and vegetable programs, Creekside is dedicated to expanding market reach for its growers, preserving family farms, and upholding the highest standards of environmental sustainability. Through a growing family of brands—including Fruit World and Capay Organics—Creekside continues to build a stronger, more resilient future for organic agriculture. Learn more at www.creeksideorganics.com.
Oakville Bluegrass Cooperative is pleased to announce open enrollment for the USDA’s newly expanded Advancing Markets for Producers (AMP) program—building on last year’s successful Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities initiative. This year, the program is expanding direct funding to producers, and the new incentive will reimburse producers for the purchase of up to ten acres worth of seed for any perennial conservation cover.
One choice for the incentive, Oakville bluegrass, is dormant from April through September and doesn’t compete with cash crops for water or nutrients making it ideal for California permanent crops. This low growing, drought tolerant cover crop will last over ten years when well managed, significantly reducing labor and input costs for growers.
As part of the USDA’s AMP initiative, producers can now access:
Full seed cost coverage for up to 10 acres of Oakville bluegrass
An additional $100/acre incentive for up to 100 acres.
Support in the form of a grower’s guide, educational field days, and guidance on carbon removal credits.
“We’re thrilled to put more money in producers’ hands under the Advancing Markets for Producers program, ” said Jeff Thiel, Director at Oakville Bluegrass Cooeprative. Perennial cover like Oakville bluegrass can reduce operating costs over time while also building soil health and conserving water. We’re especially excited to help producers tap into the growing carbon credit market while establishing a proven, cost-effective cover crop.”
The Oakville Bluegrass Cooperative collaboratively creates solutions to the most pressing challenges facing growers. Members work together to uncover best practices in sustainable agriculture tailored to the needs of specialty crop growers. Learnings are shared so all members can benefit from adopting practices that will ensure the long-term sustainability of profits from their farms.
