Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/529491
www.goodfruit.com GOOD FRUIT GROWER JULY 2015 3 Centerpiece: Family Tree Farms 16 Flavor is first Family farm sources new stone fruit varieties from around the world. Summer Fruits 12 Switching in the Sunshine State Florida citrus growers are diversifying into peaches. 14 Digging into peach history Ancient peach pits found in China show people were cultivating peaches at least 7,000 years ago. 18 It's a cling thing California cling peach growers respond to better prices by planting more trees. 19 Short again in Michigan Second hard winter has hurt state's freestone peach crop, and in some orchards, trees are dying. Good Grape Grower 10 The benefits of stinging nettle These "nuisance" weeds provide important habitat for beneficial insects. Also in this issue 8 Help with water use Online irrigation management tool is available in ten states. 20 Another stable year for pears Pacific Northwest fresh pear crop is estimated at 20.5 million boxes, just short of last season's crop. 21 Pear exports hurt by Russian closure Nearly 500,000 boxes of pears went to Russia before ban on U.S. foods. 22 Growers, canners pleased with pear deal's success A three-year contract negotiated this year offers growers record prices for processing pears. 24 Drone ready for work in fruit Remote-controlled helicopter granted approval from FAA for agricultural use. www.goodfruit.com 12 14 16 COURTESY OF GARY CRAWFORD Canadian anthropologist Gary Crawford is pictured with colleagues Yunfei Zheng (left) and Xugao Chen in a peach orchard near Hangzhou in Zhejiang Province, China.