The March 19 release of the U.S. Drought Monitor shows exceptional drought in North Florida and South Georgia, the part of the region that is the driest in the Southeast. Georgia Exceptional drought conditions in South Georgia are located in parts of Grady, Thomas, Brooks, Lowndes and Echols counties, while the remaining region is still suffering through extreme drought conditions. …
Early-Season Disease Management for North Florida Watermelon Growers
By Clint Thompson North Florida watermelon producers should be starting their fungicide applications. Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, emphasized that message during his weekly email to growers in the Suwanee Valley Region. “I’d say we are usually looking for gummy stem blight. That would probably …
SCFBA Co-Chair Optimistic in Farm Bill’s Passage
By Clint Thompson The passage of the Farm, Food and National Security Act of 2026 through the House Ag Committee is a positive sign the next farm bill will be enacted into law sooner rather than later. At least that’s the optimistic viewpoint shared by Kam Quarles, CEO of the National Potato Council and co-chair of the Specialty Crop Farm …
Welcomed Rainfall for North Florida Watermelon Producers
By Clint Thompson An extremely dry North Florida region was hit with much-needed rainfall on Monday. That was a welcomed sight for the Suwanee Valley’s watermelon growers who are mostly done planting this year’s crop. “The rain will definitely help in those dry bed areas just to bring more moisture. All of it’s going to go in the hole but …
Fun, Informative Day at Florida Citrus Show
By Clint Thompson The Florida Citrus Show on Thursday provided attendees a fun, informative day to learn about citrus and specialty crops while engaging with exhibitors during the tailgate style format; all happening in Fort Pierce, Florida. Attendees flocked to South Florida to learn about how different trends are impacting the citrus and specialty crop industries through the various seminar …
Rainfall Needed: North Florida Watermelon Plantings Begin Amid Extreme Drought
By Clint Thompson North Florida watermelon plantings have commenced in the Suwanee Valley. Water is a key resource in helping the plants grow over the next couple of months. Rain would be beneficial. Not much is expected, however, in the near future, explains Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in …
Updating Freeze Protection Metrics for Florida Blueberry
The Florida Blueberry Growers Association hosted its annual spring meeting and field day at the Plant Science Research and Education Unit in Citra, Florida, in early March. The day featured presentations from the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) and a tour of blueberry trials at the facility. A variety of production topics were covered during …
Florida Tomato Leader Discusses Crop Following Devastating Freeze Event
By Clint Thompson Florida’s tomato industry was one of many crops impacted by the recent freeze events. Preliminary estimates of losses to the tomato industry reported by Ag Commissioner Wilton Simpson were $164.2 million. But it should not take long before the crop rebounds this year, according to Robert Guenther, executive vice president of the Florida Tomato Exchange. “I came …
Drought Monitor Update: Extreme Conditions Observed in Most of Florida, All of South Georgia
By Clint Thompson The March 5 release of the U.S. Drought Monitor shows extreme conditions covering almost all of Florida, all of South Georgia and parts of Alabama. Florida Extreme conditions in North Florida start in the Panhandle in Walton and Holmes counties, stretch to the east coast in Nassau, Duval, Saint Johns and Flagler counties; and as far south …
Statistical Evidence: Domestic Interest in Farm Jobs Almost Non-Existent
By Clint Thompson A domestic workforce for agricultural work in the Southeast is almost non-existent. Bringing in foreign workers to work on the farm is a necessity but also a costly one. Those are two facts that Ray Starling, general counsel for North Carolina Chamber of Commerce, emphasized at the Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference in Savannah, Georgia, in …



















