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Early bird registration for Florida’s 52nd annual Agricultural Labor Relations Forum ends Wednesday, July 15. This year’s forum, presented by the Florida Specialty Crop Foundation, is scheduled for Aug. 12-14 in Orlando, Florida. The labor forum is designed to educate agricultural employers, producers, shippers, contractors and other employers on compliance with labor laws and relations practices. Highlights of this year’s …

By Clint Thompson The final email sent to North Florida watermelon producers by Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, recapped this season in the Suwannee Valley. Hochmuth once again stressed the significance of fusarium wilt and nutsedge and their impacts on watermelon production in the region. …

By Clint Thompson Muhammad Shahid, assistant professor of horticulture at University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), has only conducted blackberry research since 2022 but has quickly realized how vital pruning is to successful blackberry production in the Southeast. “Pruning is very critical because if you will keep the branches, which give you the fruit, it will …

MAITLAND, Fla. — The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) recently affirmed that dumped imports of fresh tomatoes from Mexico are continuing to threaten the U.S. tomato industry, ending the Changed Circumstances Review brought by Mexican producers and keeping the antidumping duty order on fresh tomatoes from Mexico fully in force. The decision concludes a review the commission instituted on Jan. …

By Clint Thompson Watermelon harvests have come and gone for North Florida producers in the Suwannee Valley Region. A challenging start to harvest season ended positively for growers, explains Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida. “I think that, overall, the season has been okay, and I …

Florida blueberry growers are reminded about this summer’s growers meetings hosted by the Florida Blueberry Growers Association. This year’s two meeting are scheduled for Wednesday, July 15 in Bartow, Florida, and Wednesday, July 22 in Newberry, Florida. The meetings are free for growers and only $50 for allied partners for both meetings. Doors will open at 8:30 a.m. with the …

Despite a recent softening in demand for craft beer, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) experts say there’s reason for optimism – especially as researchers supply Florida-grown hops to the state’s brewers. At the June 2 Hops Field Day at the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center (GCREC), attendees got a front-row look at how UF/IFAS researchers are working to strengthen the state’s craft-beer ecosystem …

By Clint Thompson North Florida watermelons continue to be harvested across the Suwanee Valley Region. It won’t be long before growers can call it a season, according to Bob Hochmuth, UF/IFAS Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida. Various factors will impact how much longer producers will harvest this year’s crop. “I think the market will drive a lot …

The Florida Legislature has approved a budget and now wait for Gov. Ron DeSantis’ signature before the start of the next fiscal year beginning July 1. As constructed, the budget would provide funding for multiple programs that would benefit the state’s farmers. It was announced that the state legislature approved a $114.5 billion budget following the regular session and special …