USDA Announces Details of Direct Assistance to Farmers Through CFAP

Web AdminAlabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Top Posts

Farmers and Ranchers to Receive Direct Support for Losses Related to COVID-19 Contact: USDA PressEmail: press@oc.usda.gov (Washington, D.C., May 19, 2020) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced details of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP), which will provide up to $16 billion in direct payments to deliver relief to America’s farmers and ranchers impacted by the coronavirus …

Light Scab Disease Reported in Pecan Orchards

Web AdminAlabama, Florida, Georgia, Pecan, Top Posts

By Clint Thompson It is only May, but University of Georgia Extension pecan specialist Lenny Wells is optimistic about this year’s crop. “It looks great right now as far as crop load and the light disease pressure. Everything’s pretty clean. Everything looks great so far,” Wells said. “I just hope we can get them to harvest. We’ve got a long …

Grape Producers Need To Tissue Sample Their Crop

Web AdminAlabama, Florida, Georgia, Grapes, Top Posts

By Clint Thompson The time is now for grape producers to tissue sample their crop, says Phil Brannen, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension fruit disease specialist. In doing so, growers can make any modifications to impact this year’s crop. “If you go ahead and get the sample now, you can do something about it. You can actually impact this year’s …

More Questions Than Answers With Respect to CFAP

Web AdminAlabama, Florida, Fruit, Georgia, Legislative, North Carolina, Produce, South Carolina, Top Posts, Vegetables

By Clint Thompson The Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) has brought more questions than answers with respect to financial aid for growers in response to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The $19 billion program includes $16 billion in direct payments for farmers and ranchers. CFAP has payment restrictions of $125,000 per commodity and a total of $250,000 per applicant for all …

Produce Market Ripening With Success for Some Vegetables

Web AdminAlabama, Florida, Fruit, Georgia, Leafy Vegetables, Produce, Tomatoes, Top Posts, Vegetables, Watermelon

By Clint Thompson The produce market is ripening with success for some commodities. Prices are incredibly high for some vegetables, while others are still struggling to compete with imports from Mexico, says Tift County farmer Bill Brim. The co-owner of Lewis Taylor Farms said watermelons, round tomatoes and cabbage are three commodities really doing well for farmers right now. “I …

Alabama Hemp Farmers Begin Planting This Year’s Crop

Web AdminAlabama, Hemp, Top Posts

By Clint Thompson Alabama hemp farmers have begun planting this year’s crop, and Extension specialist Katelyn Kesheimer expects it to continue through June. “A lot of it depends on, obviously, what part of the state you’re in; southern Alabama, they’re starting now. And how many acres are you planting?” said Kesheimer, who was speaking while returning from a farm last …

Three Joy Peaches Released

Web AdminAlabama, Florida, Georgia, Peaches, Top Posts

ARS News Service BYRON, GEORGIA, May 14, 2020 — The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) has released a trio of Joy peaches — Rich Joy, Liberty Joy and Crimson Joy — to enhance the southeastern fresh peach market. Rich Joy is named for its fruit’s rich flavor and as a way to honor ARS peach breeder William Richardson Okie, who retired …

Watermelon Farmer Hopes to Capitalize on High Prices

Web AdminAlabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Top Posts, Watermelon

By Clint Thompson Watermelons are in short supply and high demand right now. Alabama produce farmer Art Sessions hopes to capitalize when his crop becomes ready the first week in June. “We’ve been getting watermelons out of Florida and they are scarce. Everything coming out of Florida is really tight on account of this virus deal,” said Sessions, who also …

Sweet Grown Alabama Connects Growers to Consumers

Web AdminAlabama, Fruit, Produce, Top Posts, Vegetables

By Clint Thompson Alabama fruit and vegetable farmers have an outlet to market their produce statewide. Thanks to Sweet Grown Alabama, a non-profit foundation that connects farmers in the state to retailers and consumers, growers can market their produce anywhere in the state. “This database launch is the culmination of many months of work,” said Ellie Watson, Sweet Grown Alabama …

Researchers Identify Romaine Lettuces That Last Longer

Web AdminAlabama, Florida, Georgia, Leafy Vegetables, North Carolina, South Carolina, Top Posts

ARS News Service SALINAS, CALIFORNIA, May 13, 2020—Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists have identified five Romaine lettuce varieties that both brown less quickly after fresh-cut processing and are slower to deteriorate postharvest. They also are determining the genetic basis for deterioration. The researchers have identified the location of genes associated with postharvest deterioration of fresh-cut lettuce, and are in the …