Water Needs Vital for Southeast Pecan Crop

Clint ThompsonAlabama, Georgia

By Clint Thompson Pecan producers in Georgia and Alabama are on the cusp of harvesting this year’s crop. But they can ill-afford to let their guards down with regard to the crop’s current needs, which right now, centers on water demands. This is according to Lenny Wells, University of Georgia Extension pecan specialist. Wells talked about pecans and their water …

Sweet Grown Alabama Director Eyes Continued Growth Moving Forward

Clint ThompsonAlabama

By Clint Thompson Sweet Grown Alabama has grown leaps and bounds since its inception just seven years ago. Sweet Grown Alabama Director Ellie Watson talked about the program and her vision for it moving forward. “We’re incredibly proud of how much growth Sweet Grown Alabama has had since 2019. We went from a concept to a program with over 600 …

AFVGA Conference, Trade Show Scheduled for Feb. 3-5, 2027 in Gulf Shores, Alabama

Clint ThompsonAlabama

By Clint Thompson Alabama fruit and vegetable farmers and industry leaders can mark their calendars for next year’s Alabama Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (AFVGA) annual conference and trade show, scheduled for Feb. 3-5, 2027, in Gulf Shores, Alabama. AFVGA Executive Director Blake Thaxton discussed the event, slated for The Lodge at Gulf State Park. “It’s become the home for …

Sweet Grown Alabama Hosts Annual Farm to Table Dinner

Clint ThompsonAlabama, Uncategorized

By Clint Thompson Last week’s Farm to Table Dinner in Auburn, Alabama, hosted by Sweet Grown Alabama, included farmers and industry leaders. Approximately 150 guests attended the event on Thursday, Aug. 13 and sampled Alabama-grown foods. This included jam from Hornsby Farms in Auburn and watermelon samples, provided by the Gulf Coast Watermelon Association watermelon queen. Sweet Grown Alabama Director …

Dry Weather’s Impact in Southeast Alabama

Clint ThompsonAlabama

By Clint Thompson Most of Alabama has experienced sufficient rainfall in recent weeks. That’s provided much of the state with adequate moisture. However, one area could use some rain showers, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Abnormally dry weather conditions are being observed across most of southern Alabama. Neil Kelly, Alabama regional Extension agent in Southeast Alabama talked about the …

Alabama Tomato Producer: Rainfall Challenging This Year

Clint ThompsonAlabama

By Clint Thompson Increased rains in Alabama have provided difficult weather conditions to grow tomatoes. That’s according to Chad Smith, who grows tomatoes in St. Clair County in the central part of the state. “It’s been pretty challenging,” Smith said. “Like I would prefer for it to be dry versus too wet. It got to a point where it was …

Extension Plant Pathologist Provides Disease Update in Alabama

Clint ThompsonAlabama

By Clint Thompson Drought continues to be less of a problem for most of Alabama, as evidenced by the latest release of the U.S. Drought Monitor on July 30. However, with the recent rains comes an uptick in disease pressure for the state’s vegetable crops. Ed Sikora, professor and Extension plant pathologist in the department of entomology and plant pathology …

Drought Monitor Update

Clint ThompsonAlabama, Florida, Georgia

The July 16 release of the U.S. Drought Monitor shows lingering drought conditions in the southern and northern areas of Georgia, sufficient moisture throughout most of Alabama and extreme conditions in North Florida and down the state’s west coast. Alabama The driest areas in Alabama are located in the northern parts of the state. Moderate drought is observed in Northwest …

Producer Perspective: Alabama Peach Grower Discusses This Year’s Crop

Clint ThompsonAlabama

By Clint Thompson Most of Alabama’s peach farmers felt the sting of an early spring freeze event. It wiped out much of the state’s early varieties, including some on Mike Reeves’ farm in Hartselle, Alabama. “We got hurt by the freeze on our early varieties and our late varieties but most of our mid-season varieties are in pretty good shape,” …

Sweet Grown Alabama Farm to Table Dinner Scheduled for Aug. 13

Clint ThompsonAlabama

By Clint Thompson Sweet Grown Alabama’s next big event will involve specialty crop growers and industry leaders from across the state. The organization’s sixth annual Farm to Table dinner is slated for Thursday, Aug. 13 at Lazenby Farms in Auburn, Alabama. Aisling Walding, Assistant Director of Sweet Grown Alabama, discussed the event, which will be held from 6:30 p.m. to …