Category Archive

Watermelon growers in the Suwanee Valley Region of North Florida must be mindful of potential pathogens that could spark devastating diseases and prematurely end production seasons. Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, noted several disease pathogens in his weekly email. It is important to monitor your …

By Clint Thompson Florida tomato farmers and industry leaders should mark their calendars for this month’s Tomato Field Day, scheduled for Tuesday, May 26, at the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center (GCREC) in Wimauma, Florida. Multiple University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) scientists will present research pertinent to the tomato industry. Tomato breeder Jessica Chitwood-Brown …

The 2026 Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo makes its return to Fort Myers on Aug. 12–13 at the waterfront Caloosa Sound Convention Center. The Luminary Hotel, the event’s host hotel, is conveniently connected to the convention center. Enjoy Your Stay The new venue offers several opportunities to refresh and improve the Expo. The convention center will allow educational seminars to …

By Clint Thompson Watermelon growers should be on high alert for potential disease buildup in fields in the Suwanee Valley region of North Florida. Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, discussed what diseases his producers must be wary of, with the first harvests just days away. …

Despite recent rainfall, exceptional drought conditions continue to be observed across the Southeast region. According to the May 7 release of the U.S. Drought Monitor, exceptional drought remains prevalent in North Florida and South Georgia. In the Florida Panhandle, exceptional drought starts in Bay and Washington counties and expands eastward to Nassau, Baker, Bradford, Alachua and Levy counties. Exceptional drought …

Registration is underway for this year’s Florida Agricultural Labor Relations Forum, scheduled for Aug. 12-14 at the Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort Bonnet Creek in Orlando, Florida. This year’s 52nd annual forum is presented by the Florida Specialty Crop Foundation and educates farmers, ag employers, shippers, farm labor contractors and other employers on compliance with labor laws. It will feature multiple …

By Clint Thompson The April 30 release of the U.S. Drought Monitor paints a grim view of the drought conditions being experienced across the Southeast. Almost all of Georgia is observing either extreme drought or exceptional drought. Nearly all of South Alabama is seeing extreme drought conditions, while the northern and southwestern parts of Florida are observing either extreme drought …

By Clint Thompson North Florida watermelons are progressing like they should, even amid a rare spring drought and following a dangerous freeze event that impacted the region in mid-March. Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, discussed the crop’s progression during an interview with AgNet Media. “I …

By Clint Thompson Amid current delays in the H-2A system, one agricultural leader expressed his feelings about the program and its impact on his specific sector. George Szczepanski, executive director of the National Watermelon Association (NWA), discussed the program in an interview with AgNet Media. He described it as a “necessary evil.” “I will say the program itself has a …

WASHINGTON — The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance (SCFBA) issued the following statement on the approval by the House of Representatives of H.R. 7567, the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026. “The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance commends House Agriculture Committee Chairman (GT) Thompson for his leadership and perseverance, and we thank the House for advancing H.R. 7567, marking …