By Clint Thompson
The December issue of Specialty Crop Grower Magazine highlights Hunter Farms, a South Carolina family-based operation that specializes in strawberries.
Eric Hunter, who owns and operates Hunter Farms with his wife, Kristi, says strawberry farming is a calling. They produce approximately five acres every year along with plug plants for other growers. Hunter Farms also operates an agritourism business in the fall and spring.
Smarter water use decisions in producing strawberries in Florida are vital for farmers. Shinsuke Agehara, an associate professor at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Gulf Coast Research and Education Center in Wimauma, Florida, discusses irrigation research and its impact on Florida strawberries.
Certified South Carolina is connecting growers and consumers. The latest in a series featuring state marketing programs across the Southeast focuses on South Carolina and how it helps promote products and bring exposure to the state’s farmers.
The UF/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center celebrated major milestones in November with a centennial celebration and the groundbreaking for the Center for Applied Artificial Intelligence in Agriculture.
Readers can also stay up to date on various specialty crops with the Crop Tracker report. It is based on observations from growers, Extension agents and other industry stakeholders throughout the Southeast.
Also included are various Citrus Industry-based stories, including what UF/IFAS researchers have learned from 20 years of HLB research in Florida.
Video Component
Don’t miss this month’s bonus video coverage in the interactive digital edition of Specialty Crop Grower magazine.
VIDEO: Eric Hunter discusses his family farm in South Carolina. (page 9)
VIDEO: Certified South Carolina is profiled in a video. (page 15)
VIDEO: Learn more about the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center. (page 16)
VIDEO: Hear a podcast featuring Senator Ben Albritton discussing Florida’s ag issues. (page 23)