By: Lourdes Rodriguez, 954-577-6363 office, 954-242-8439 mobile, rodriguezl@ufl.edu BELLE GLADE, Fla. – Lettuce is one of the top 10 vegetables cultivated in the United States and for good reason. Romaine, iceberg, leaf and butterhead types of lettuce are staples in refrigerators around the world. Used as a basis for salads, as a topping for burgers and sandwiches, as a bread …
Connecting the Watermelon Industry with Retail and Foodservice Buyers
Winter Springs, FL — May 20, 2020 – The new National Watermelon Promotion Board (NWPB) Watermelon Supplier Database is the perfect platform to connect retail and foodservice buyers with suppliers as the summer season takes off for America’s favorite melon. Each year the NWPB staff promotes watermelon to retail and foodservice audiences, both in person and digitally. When a contact …
CFAP Coverage Dates Exclude Bulk of Specialty Crop Farmers in Alabama, Georgia
By Clint Thompson The United States Department of Agriculture released details of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) on Tuesday. It will provide up to $16 billion in direct payments to provide relief for farmers and ranchers impacted by COVID-19. It includes relief for livestock, dairy and specialty crops. But according to Charles Hall, executive director of the Georgia Fruit …
CFAP Includes Specialty Crops
Details of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) were announced this week. It’s a program that will provide up to $16 billion in direct payments to deliver relief to America’s farmers and ranchers impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. In addition to this direct support, USDA’s Farmers to Families Food Box program is partnering with regional and local distributors to purchase …
USDA Announces Details of Direct Assistance to Farmers Through CFAP
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
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
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
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
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
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 …