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Below you'll find a list of all posts that have been categorized as “Florida”
By Frank Giles In September, the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association (FFVA) hosted its annual conference in Orlando. Specialty crop growers gathered for three days of engagement and education. One of the forums held during the conference was a panel discussion on the new Trump administration and trade. Participants included Lauren Reamy, Penn Avenue Partners; Carolyn Gleason, McDermott Will & …
Florida avocados, a signature staple in kitchens, a favored fruit tree in landscapes and a source of pride for the state’s growers, face a renewed threat from avocado sunblotch viroid (ASBVd). The disease can severely stunt avocado tree growth, deform fruit and silently spread through groves. Researchers at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) are …
By Clint Thompson The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences’ newly released ‘Ember’ strawberry variety will be widely grown in South Florida’s strawberry region. Matt Parke, farm manager of Parkesdale Farms in Plant City, Florida, plans to grow half of his crop this year with the ‘Ember’ variety. It has numerous attributes that make it a valuable …
By Frank Giles In agricultural circles, we often lament about “preaching to the choir.” We have a lot of issues, but a relatively small universe of peers to air our opinions about the problem and possible solutions. It’s not easy breaking through to influence the non-agricultural world, but that doesn’t stop us from trying. Preachers to the choir are not …
By Clint Thompson Florida Farmer of the Year Jim Alderman was humbled and thrilled to represent Florida at this year’s Sunbelt Ag Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year luncheon on Tuesday in Moultrie, Georgia. While Alderman did not win the award – it was presented to Georgia farmer Kent Hamilton – he expressed gratitude for being able to represent Florida …
The cotton jassid, also known as the two-spot cotton leafhopper, has been problematic for cotton and vegetable growers across the Southeast. According to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline, the jassid is impacting growers in southern Florida. Scouts are reporting the insect’s presence in Southwest Florida, with population levels ranging from low to high on eggplant. Population levels are …
By Clint Thompson Labor needs remain the top concern for specialty crop growers. That means investments in automation and mechanization are vital to a producer’s long-term success. But that’s easier said than done, explains Dana Brennan, vice president, corporate affairs with Grimmway Farms. Brennan was part of a panel that testified recently during a special hearing on the State of …
By Clint Thompson Tariffs implemented by the Trump Administration this year have been widely praised by some and heavily criticized by others. All will agree they have been impactful one way or another, especially with certain specialty crops destined for exports. The House Committee on Agriculture recently hosted a special hearing on the State of the Specialty Crop Industry. One …
By Clint Thompson The current focus of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Crop Transformation Center is the development of citrus varieties that are resistant to citrus greening disease. The effectiveness of the Center is it’s not just isolated to citrus. Other fruit and vegetable crops will also be studied, says Scott Angle, UF/IFAS Senior …
By Clint Thompson Fruit and vegetable growers who hope to control weed growth with cover crops during the fallow period must remember that this management strategy is not totally effective with every weed, particularly yellow and purple nutsedge. Nathan Boyd, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) professor of horticulture and weed science, focused on the topic …
