By Adam Basford Florida farmers and ranchers gained a significantly stronger level of protection from frivolous lawsuits when Gov. Ron DeSantis signed SB 88 on April 29. Sponsored by Sen. Jason Brodeur and Rep. Jayer Williamson, the Right to Farm bill modernizes the law that was established in 1979. All 50 U.S. states have enacted Right to Farm laws that …
Sulfur Key Tool in Reducing Soil pH
By Clint Thompson Sulfur is a tool that South Florida growers can implement to decrease their soil pH in preparation for the upcoming fall season. Phillip Williams, an assistant professor at the UF/IFAS Southwest Florida Research and Education Center, discusses the importance of bringing the soil pH down to its optimal level of 6.5. “The problem in Southwest Florida, our …
Commissioner Fried Announces Urban and Community Farming Pilot Program
Tallahassee, Fla. — Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) Office of Energy announced the establishment of the Florida Urban and Community Farming Pilot Program. It provides support for urban and community farming projects to promote cleaner air, lower building heating and cooling costs, and provide additional stable, affordable and secure sources of …
Organic Herbicide Options
By Ruby Tiwari and Ramdas Kanissery Organic growers in Florida fight weeds throughout the year, as it is one of their significant challenges in production (Figure 1). Organic producers typically use various mechanical and cultural methods like tillage, cultivation, hand-weeding, mulching, etc., to keep weeds in check on their farms. While there is a general conception that there is no …
Dissipating Drought: Recent Rains Bring Sufficient Moisture to Southeast
A wet June has help alleviate some of the drought being experienced across the Southeast, according to Thursday’s updated release of the U.S. Drought Monitor. This is especially true for South Florida, a region that has been challenged with dry conditions for some time. Currently, only a few counties are experiencing abnormally dry conditions. These include the majority of Miami-Dade …
Laurel Wilt Disease: Major Problem Impacting Florida’s Avocado Industry
By Clint Thompson The largest produced tropical fruit in Florida is enduring a disease that is having similar impact that Greening is having on the state’s citrus industry. Avocados, which are produced on approximately 1,500 acres in South Florida, are being severely impacted by laurel wilt disease. “It seems like as it’s getting worse and worse,” said Alan Chambers, plant …
Imports’ Impact Felt Beyond Florida, Georgia
Lawmakers Re-introduce Defending Domestic Produce Production Act By Clint Thompson Increased imports are not just a concern of Southeast vegetable and specialty crop producers. Farmers in South Carolina and Michigan are feeling the pinch as well. Southeast growers have rallied additional allies in their fight against imports, as noticed by the recent re-introduction of the Defending Domestic Produce Production Act. …
Successful Mango Season Nears End
By Clint Thompson A successful mango season is nearing an end in South Florida. The region’s temperatures and hot weather conditions paid off for a successful season, said Alan Chambers, plant geneticist at UF/IFAS Tropical Research and Education Center. “We had a lot of heat and some nice dry heat, so a lot of sun this spring. The mangos came …
Superfood Success: UF Researcher Studying Pomegranates’ Future in Florida
Interested in producing a crop that tastes good and is full of nutrients, including antioxidants? Pomegranates provide Florida farmers that sweet option. “The fruit and its products, such as arils and juice, are rich in phytochemicals and are considered a ‘superfood,’” said Zhanao Deng, a University of Florida environmental horticulture professor who’s trying to breed and grow more pomegranates in …
Registration Ongoing for Citrus Expo, Vegetable and Specialty Crop Expo
Registration is ongoing for those interested in attending this year’s Citrus Expo and Vegetable and Specialty Crop Expo, scheduled for Aug. 18-19 at the Lee Civic Center in North Fort Myers, Florida. The key issues that are impacting Florida’s citrus, vegetable and specialty crop producers will be discussed during this year’s event. How are unfair trade practices by Mexico impacting …