Sweet Grown Alabama Day Highlights State’s Specialty Crop Industry

Clint ThompsonAlabama

By Clint Thompson Alabama fruits and vegetables were highlighted on Saturday as part of the third annual Sweet Grown Alabama Day throughout the state. Aisling Walding, assistant director for Sweet Grown Alabama, said the spotlight was put on Alabama agriculture at 14 participating farmers markets. “Sweet Grown Alabama Day was just a way to show love to Alabama farmers and …

AFVGA Conference and Trade Show Scheduled for Feb. 5-7, 2025

Clint ThompsonAlabama

By Clint Thompson Those interested in attending next year’s Alabama Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (AFVGA) conference and trade show can mark their calendars for Feb. 5-7, 2025, in Gulf Shores, Alabama. The annual conference returns to South Alabama for another year, with registration slated to open on Nov. 1. Blake Thaxton, executive director of the AFVGA, talked about the …

AFVGA Cautiously Watching Farm Bill Process

Clint ThompsonAlabama

By Clint Thompson Like other specialty crop organizations, the Alabama Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (AFVGA) is pleased to see movement being made on the farm bill. With the House Agriculture Committee and Senate Agriculture Committee passing frameworks of a bill, the AFVGA is eyeing both leadership members to see what is next, says Blake Thaxton, executive director of the …

Tomato Diseases Impacting Alabama Crop

Clint ThompsonAlabama, Tomatoes

By Clint Thompson The ongoing drought is slowing disease pressure among Alabama vegetables, says Ed Sikora, professor and Extension plant pathologist in the department of entomology and plant pathology at Auburn University. But that doesn’t mean disease pressure is quiet across all vegetables, especially tomatoes. Sikora outlined what tomato diseases are present across the state and what can be done …

AFVGA Executive Director Discusses Current Season

Clint ThompsonAlabama

By Clint Thompson Fruit and vegetable season is wide open across Alabama. Crops are being harvested and sold in counties all over the state. Blake Thaxton, executive director of the Alabama Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (AFVGA), discussed the current situation facing his state’s specialty crop producers. “It’s wide-open peach season. The peach crop seems to be doing well, definitely …

Alabama Strawberry Producer Dodges Devastating Disease

Clint ThompsonAlabama, Strawberries

By Clint Thompson One Alabama strawberry grower dodged one disease that plagued many of her colleagues this year. Taylor Hatchett, who produced two acres in Chilton County, talked about Neopestalotiopsis, which was a problem across the Southeast this year. “We had not that, thankfully on the farm this year, but I do know that has been one that’s been more …

Alabama Peach Growers Enjoying Strong Crop

Clint ThompsonAlabama, Peaches

Peach harvests are currently being held across the Southeast. Like neighboring Georgia, Alabama is experiencing a strong crop this year due to adequate chilling and the lack of a late-spring freeze event. AgNet Media’s Will Jordan spoke with Edgar Vinson, assistant research professor and Extension specialist in the Department of Horticulture at Auburn University, about this year’s peach crop. Sponsored …

Lack of Late Spring Freeze Benefits Alabama Strawberry Producer

Clint ThompsonAlabama, Strawberries

By Clint Thompson It is amazing how the absence of a late-season freeze event will impact strawberry plants in Alabama. For producer Taylor Hatchett, it meant all the difference in this year’s crop. “It’s a thousand times better than last year. It was very unusual in that, normally you start small with your harvests, then get up to your maximum …