Happy Thanksgiving!

The origins of Thanksgiving in North America are continually up for debate from as early as 1578. Was the origin when the English explorer, Martin Frobisher, searched for the Northwest passage in Canada and gave thanks in the fall for the blessing of the preceding year with celebration? Or was it when the French settlers in New France celebrated a successful harvest with the explorer Samuel de Champlain in the early 1600s? Perhaps it was when the Pilgrims of the Plymouth Plantation celebrated in the fall of 1621, or often argued the Virginia colonies in 1619. Today, Canada celebrates Thanksgiving on the second Monday of October, and the United States celebrates Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday of November – marking the end of the traditional harvest season, and the beginning of Christmas shopping.

Today, the diverse climate throughout North America allows the growing season to extend throughout the entire year. Vertical indoor farming, double and triple cropping, and crop diversity provides North America, and the rest of the world, with abundant, healthy, and fresh food options – and that is something to be thankful for.

Challenges persisted throughout the season such as soil insects (cutworm, rootworm, and wireworm), armyworm invasions, swarms of potato leafhopper, the varying soil moistures, stressed crops, crop producers, and crop advisors. Planning, following these plans, and adjusting these plans to accommodate conditions provided the opportunity for favorable crop response when conditions arrive to finish strong.

The planning process for 2019 begins by evaluating crop yield, and how planning and changes were effective in 2018. Hybrid performance, crop rotations, soil tests, pH adjustments, and cost evaluations set the stage for next years crop.

CaroVail is thankful for our customers adding to our success, and the success of our growers this year and into the future. Thank You!