February 2025 - 4

EDITOR'S LETTER
Pest concerns
highlighted in Vegetable
Growers News survey
P
ests can be a big bugaboo. One
grower I rode around with viewing
fields told me while growers think
they can keep a handle on or limit pest
activity, they must realize they can only
manage, not eliminate, pests.
Pest control is a big expense for growers.
From traps to spraying to introducing
beneficials via drones, it's getting more
difficult to manage pests and protect fields
from damage.
Insects and diseases these days are even more important for
growers of fresh market vegetables and melons. Unlike products
grown for processing markets, appearance isn't as big a concern. Once
a shopper spots any kind of blemish on a vegetable, it's game over and
that veggie won't be riding in that shopping cart.
This month, Great American Media Services, publisher of Vegetable
Growers News, presents our 2025 Pest Survey. To better gauge the
pest problem, growers were surveyed on the topic.
In addition to questions about the types of crops they grow, growers
were asked about acreage and how they grow their crops - whether
field, CEA or protected agriculture including high tunnel/hoop house
were used - and what pests were the most troublesome.
Growers were asked how they dealt with different pests for different
crops and what pests they are most concerned about in the new year.
Importantly, information helpful to growers in addressing the pest
issues they face is also addressed.
A big thank you to those that participated in the survey. Be on the
lookout for other grower-related surveys coming your way in 2025.
Read about the survey on page 20.
EDITORIAL
ASSISTANT EDITOR
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
Doug Ohlemeier, 616-520-2162
dohlemeier@greatamericanpublish.com
Heather Morse, 616-520-2160
hmorse@greatamericanpublish.com
ADVERTISING SALES
ADVERTISING SALES
EXECUTIVE
ACCOUNT SPECIALIST
Bobby Albino, 616-520-2146
balbino@vegetablegrowersnews.com
Kim Meyers, 616-520-2137
kmeyers@greatamericanpublish.com
PRODUCTION
SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER
ASSOCIATE CREATIVE
DIRECTOR
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Greg Ryan, 616-520-2145
vgnproduction@vegetablegrowersnews.com
Amanda Mackey, 616-520-2157
amackey@greatamericanpublish.com
Allison McKenzie, 616-520-2142
amckenzie@greatamericanpublish.com
CIRCULATION
AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT
Becky Stovall, 616-520-2138
circulation@vegetablegrowersnews.com
CORPORATE
VP, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
COO & CHIEF
MARKETING OFFICER
PUBLISHER/CEO
Shawn Storie, 616-520-2176
sstorie@greatamericanpublish.com
Deb Carnes, 616-520-2169
dcarnes@greatamericanpublish.com
Kim Baker, 616-520-2135
kbaker@greatamericanpublish.com
Matt McCallum, 616-520-2133
mmccallum@greatamericanpublish.com
EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD
Frank Gasperini
Kevin Hosey
Simon Huntley
Bob Jones
William Lamont
Carolyn O'Donnell
Chris Pawelski
Rick Snyder
Tim Waters
Ben Werling
USPS 015-789, ISSN 1049-8494
PERIODICAL POSTAGE PAID AT SPARTA, MI AND ADDITIONAL OFFICES
Published monthly except, May/June, July/Aug, and Sept/Oct by
GREAT AMERICAN MEDIA SERVICES INC.
Office at 75 Applewood Dr., Suite A, Sparta, Michigan 49345.
POSTMASTER
Send address changes to:
Great American Publishing,
PO Box 318, Lincolnshire IL 60069
SUBSCRIPTION RATES
United States: $35.50 per 3 years,
$15.50 per year
Doug Ohlemeier, Assistant Editor
Canada: $56 per year,
Foreign Countries: $100 per year
Digital Editions: $9.95 per year,
Back Issues: $6 each
FEBRUARY 2025 | VOLUME 59 | ISSUE 2
The opinions and views expressed by authors, contributors and
advertisers in Vegetable Growers News do not necessarily reflect those
of the editors and publisher. Appearance in Vegetable Growers News
does not constitute endorsement by Great American Media Services
or Vegetable Growers News of the advertiser, its products, or services.
Great American Media Services and Vegetable Growers News accepts no
responsibility of liability for the validity or accuracy of information supplied
by contributors, vendors, advertisers, or advertising agencies. Great
American Media Services and Vegetable Growers News do not make any
claims or guarantees as to the accuracy or validity of information supplied
by contributors, vendors, advertisers or advertising agencies.
Copyright 2025
VEGETABLE GROWERS NEWS is a publication of
a division of Great American Publishing
4 | FEBRUARY 2025
-Doug
February 2025

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of February 2025
