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Below you'll find a list of all posts that have been categorized as “Florida”
By Clint Thompson North Florida and South Georgia watermelon growers should mark their calendars for Thursday, Dec. 3 for the annual Suwannee Valley Watermelon Institute meeting. The meeting is scheduled to take place at the Suwannee River Fair Facility in Fanning Springs, Florida. Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, …
By Clint Thompson and Josh McGill Ag labor reform is necessary for long-term sustainability for fruit and vegetable farmers, especially those located in the Southeast region. But change is also needed for growers to have certainty as to what they are paying for workers in the H-2A program. Right now, that does not exist, says Mike Joyner, president of the …
By Clint Thompson and Josh McGill The cyclospora outbreak linked to imported iceberg lettuce and sickened nearly 13,000 people across 21 states could have lingering repercussions long after the CDC and FDA declared it over on Sept. 11. That’s the fear shared by Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association (FFVA) President Mike Joyner. “Our growers will tell you that they feel …
By Clint Thompson Florida strawberry farmers are on the cusp of planting this year’s crop. Producers like Dustin Grooms, with Fancy Farms in Plant City, Florida, could use a better season than the one experienced last year. Grooms talked about the challenges that strawberry growers encountered last year in an interview with AgNet Media. It started with the colder temperatures …
WASHINGTON — The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance (SCFBA) issued the following statement after the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition & Forestry advanced the Agricultural Act of 2026 on Wednesday.  “The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance is grateful to Chairman Boozman and his staff for convening today’s markup and favorably reporting the Agricultural Act of 2026. We continue to …
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson and the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame Foundation announced Jeffrey Dewey Gargiulo, Lynetta and Ken Griner, and Ron St. John as 2027 Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame Inductees. Since 1980, the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame has honored men and women who have made lasting contributions to agriculture in this state and …
By Clint Thompson Specialty crops were a focus of the House Committee on Agriculture’s special hearing on Wednesday that centered on increasing demand and opportunities for homegrown products. One of the witnesses was Alexis Taylor, Chief Global Policy Officer with the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) in Washington, D.C. She was asked about shipment of fresh produce and how Congress …
By Clint Thompson and Josh McGill Mike Joyner is an optimistic ag leader as president of the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association (FFVA). But his optimism is tested when discussing reform in the H-2A program. “I will tell you this has got an uphill battle. It hurts for me to say that. It’s painful for me to say it out …
By Tacy Callies, Clint Thompson and Frank Giles The Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo provided vital information to steer growers to long-term sustainability. After a brief stint in Tampa, the annual event returned home to Fort Myers, Florida, its original location. Citrus and specialty crop growers, along with vendors and industry specialists, convened Aug. 12–13 at the Caloosa Sound Convention …
By Clint Thompson Diesel prices have hit a new all-time high which makes it a new low for fruit and vegetable farmers. The national average price of a gallon of diesel surpassed $6 for the first time, a sobering statistic for producers already coping with high input costs. According to AAA, diesel costs on Friday in Alabama were recorded at …
