 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Below you'll find a list of all posts that have been categorized as “Florida”
By Clint Thompson It is the second week in February which means North Florida watermelon plants are expected to be planted in a couple of weeks. Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, discussed the planting scenario facing growers in his region. “There are definitely transplants that …
By Clint Thompson South Florida experienced a freeze/ice storm the region hasn’t seen in about 15 to 16 years, according to one industry expert. Gene McAvoy, a crop consultant, talked about the Feb. 1 storm that impacted multiple crops, including watermelons, sweet corn and tomatoes. “If (watermelons) weren’t covered, they’re gone. A lot of them were young so they can …
Extreme drought conditions are spreading in South Georgia and North Florida, according to the most recent release of the U.S. Drought Monitor. Georgia’s driest area remains in the southern part of the state. Extreme conditions start in Seminole and Decatur counties, spread eastward to Lowndes and Echols counties and then northeastward to Liberty, Bryan and Chatham counties. All of the …
By Clint Thompson Florida’s blueberry farmers sustained damage from the freeze event that impacted the region during the Feb. 1 weekend. They now must protect their crop from disease buildup, especially one in particular, says Phil Harmon, professor and Extension plant pathologist at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). “We always see a certain amount …
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida specialty crop producers can start applying for more than $600 million in disaster assistance for impacts from hurricanes in 2023 and 2024, beginning Feb. 25. Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson is also asking the federal government for approval to use Florida’s disaster block grant program to immediately fund relief for agricultural producers impacted by the …
By Clint Thompson Florida strawberry producers are in the early stages of assessing freeze damage from last weekend’s winter storm. They are confident the crop will rebound after this temporary setback, according to Nick Wishnatzki, public relations director at Wish Farms in Plant City, Florida. “We are still assessing the damage and there has been some damage, not extensive at …
By Clint Thompson According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, dry areas still encompass much of the Southeast region, especially in North Florida, South and Central Georgia and Southeast Alabama. Florida Extreme conditions are seen in a couple of areas in northern Florida. One area includes all or part of Jackson, Calhoun, Liberty, Gadsden, Leon, Wakulla and Jefferson counties. The area …
Executive Orders 24-214 and 26-16 have given authority to the Florida Department of Transportation (FDT) to relieve the size and weight restrictions for divisible loads on any vehicles transporting emergency equipment, services, supplies and agricultural food commodities and citrus in excess of the normal restrictions on weight, height, length and width restrictions for such vehicles. The following commodities and citrus …
The Florida Citrus Show returns on Thursday, March 12. In addition to citrus, the show has added educational seminars dedicated to small fruit and vegetable production to better serve growers in the region and beyond. The event will be held at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Indian River Research and Education Center and the U.S. …
By Frank Giles Vance Whitaker has led the strawberry breeding program at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Gulf Coast Research Education Center (GCREC) in Wimauma since 2009. In September, Whitaker was recognized by the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association (FFVA) with its Researcher of the Year Award. Specialty Crop Grower asked Whitaker about his breeding …
