According to the latest release of the US Drought Monitor, recent rainfall has alleviated some of the dry conditions felt in central parts of Florida. There are still abnormally dry conditions in South Florida. Those extend northward to Hendry County, Martin County and Palm Beach County. A moderate drought is still being experienced in the southern part of Collier County, …
Watermelon Field Day in North Florida
University of Florida/IFAS will host a Watermelon Field Day on Monday, May 3 at Watson’s Farm in Levy County. The event will be held from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. with a dinner to follow. Mark Warren, UF/IFAS Extension agent in Levy County, will discuss nutritional management as part of an BMP program. Bob Hochmuth, the UF Regional Specialized Extension …
So Far So Good for Florida Peach Crop
So far, so good for Florida’s peach crop. According to Jose Chaparro, UF/IFAS Associate Professor in the Horticultural Sciences Department, the peach season is going well throughout the state. “This has been really the best spring season we’ve had in a few years,” Chaparro said. “We got adequate chilling. We have good weather, and we haven’t had too much rain. …
Decision Day Looms for Gov. DeSantis
By Clint Thompson Decision day looms for Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. He must decide by Thursday, April 29 to sign a bill that would expand the state’s “Right to Farm” law. The Senate passed the bill in March. The House voted 110-7 with overwhelming support last week. Now, it’s up to the governor. “We are hopeful. We have submitted, literally, …
Key Investment: J&J Family of Farms Acquires 1,000-Acre Farm in Vero Beach
A national grower, packer and shipper of vegetable commodities is expanding its farming operation in the Southeast. J&J Family of Farms announced the construction of a new 1,000-acre farm in Vero Beach, Florida. “The Vero Beach expansion really accomplishes a couple of things. It gives us a 1,000 acres of farmland, of which about 750 will be controlled by us …
One Year and Counting for Florida Hemp
Tallahassee, Fla. — One year and counting. Thursday, April 27, marked the one-year anniversary of Florida’s state hemp program, overseen by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS). Of the anniversary, Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Friedoffered the following statement: “Florida’s state hemp program is leading the way in creating great jobs, safe and useful products, and a bright future …
Secret Weapon? AI Could Help Strawberry Farmers against Twospotted Spider Mite
Artificial intelligence (AI) maybe the secret weapon in strawberry farmers’ fight against the twospotted spider mite. University of Florida scientists have developed a smartphone application to detect the annual pest of Florida strawberries. If farmers could detect the pest quicker, they could utilize lower levels of chemicals that could otherwise harm the environment. For Example For a 50-acre farm, every …
North Florida to Feature More Late-Season Watermelons
North Florida watermelons will be in supply later than normal, says Branford, Florida producer Laura Land. Land, who is also a member of the Florida Watermelon Association, says there will be more late-season watermelons this year in North Florida. “The increase in acreage that I’m seeing here in the North Florida area is pretty much that later crop,” Land said. …
Citrus Interest Growing in North Florida, South Georgia
Interest in citrus continues to spike in North Florida and South Georgia. Georgia acres have doubled over the past year. North Florida has increased by another 300 to 400 this spring, says farmer Kim Jones, who owns a citrus packing facility in Monticello, Florida. “We’re seeing a whole lot of acres being planted. It’s hard to get trees. We’ve had …
UGA Encourages Cleaning of Equipment to Reduce Spread of Neopestalotiopsis
Neopestalotiopsis Fruit Rot is devastating strawberry fields in Georgia and Alabama. In an effort to reduce the pathogen’s spread, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension is encouraging strawberry producers to make sure farm equipment is clean before moving from field to field. According to the UGA Extension strawberry blog, washing equipment with soap and water after use in a field with …