Managing Nematodes in Peaches

Web AdminFlorida, Peaches, Stone Fruit, Top Posts

By Alison DeLoach Nematodes are known to cause severe damage to growers’ crops in Florida. Don Dickson, a nematologist at the University of Florida (UF), has spent his career helping growers manage nematodes. At a Peach Field Day on April 30 held by the UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Dickson presented nematode research. In Florida, there are four …

Teaching the Next Generation About Aquaculture

Web AdminFlorida, Top Posts

By Eric Cassiano Aquaculture is one of the fastest growing agricultural sectors. As the need for aquaculture increases, the opportunity for several careers develops. Many K-12 schools have identified and addressed this growing need by implementing aquaculture within their curriculums. Island Coast High School (ICHS) in Lee County has one of the largest K-12 aquaculture programs in Florida.  It all …

Bags Protect and Improve Peaches

Web AdminFlorida, Georgia, Organic, Peaches, Top Posts, VSCNews magazine

By David Campbell and Danielle Treadwell Peach growers have rediscovered a tool to add to their integrated pest and disease management toolbox — a unique paper bag. Easy to install and remove, the bag has extra durability to withstand wind and rain throughout the season. And if our data is consistent with previous observations, bagging may be affordable for many …

Preparing for the Florida Ag Expo

Web AdminFlorida, Florida Ag Expo, Top Posts

Planning for the 2019 Florida Ag Expo (FAE) is well underway. This week, the FAE seminar planning committee met to brainstorm ideas for the educational program. Attendees will have the opportunity to earn continuing education units and receive updates on the latest cutting-edge research from the University of Florida (UF). The AgNet Media team that manages FAE met with UF …

water quality

Ag’s Past Water Quality Successes Not in Today’s SFWMD “Discussion”

Web AdminFlorida, Lake Okeechobee, Water

Areas north of Lake Okeechobee can expect increased attention as debates about water-quality issues and who should do what about them continue in South Florida. At a gathering about the Lake Okeechobee Watershed Protection Plan (LOWPP) Thursday in Okeechobee, it became apparent that the vast investments the area’s farmers, ranchers and dairy producers have been making in water-quality projects for …

hemp

Lawmakers Look to Hemp as New Industry While Vegetable Gardens Head to House Floor

Web AdminFlorida, Hemp, Industry News Release, Vegetables

With supporters pointing to the potential of a new industry, a House committee Thursday approved a plan for regulating production of hemp. The bill (HB 333), approved by the House State Affairs Committee, would create a regulatory framework that would be administered by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, which is led by Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, a …

florida

Florida Ag Commissioner Fried Meets with South Florida Farmers

Web AdminFlorida, Lake Okeechobee, Water

Florida Agriculture Commissioner “Nikki” Fried joined a modest but representative group of south Florida farmers at Bedner Farms Wednesday near Boynton Beach, for an informal lunch and informational exchange about issues of concern to agriculture in the region. Water, weed, trade and the Department’s Fresh From Florida marketing campaign were among topics mentioned in her remarks after lunch, and she …

hemp

The Impact of Nematodes on Hemp

Web AdminFlorida, Hemp, Research, Top Posts

By Alison DeLoach Interest is currently high in growing hemp as an alternative crop; however, nematodes may be an issue for growers. Johan Desaeger, assistant professor at the University of Florida (UF), is planning to conduct research on how susceptible hemp will be to nematodes in Florida. Hemp is being studied under a new pilot project at UF, like the …

sfwmd

Some Ag Facts Left Out of New SFWMD Discussion

Web AdminEnvironment, Florida, Lake Okeechobee, Water

by Gary Cooper The brand new governing board of the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) is revisiting the mission of the agency that spans 16 counties with a huge network of canals, pumps, levees and structures. Agricultural interests are concerned that this new board will adopt a mission that places the environment ahead of water supply and flood protection. …

governor

Governor Ron DeSantis Announces the Appointment of Ron Bergeron to the South Florida Water Management District Board

Web AdminEnvironment, Florida, Industry News Release, Water

Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Ronald M. “Alligator Ron” Bergeron to the board of the South Florida Water Management District. The appointment comes after the Florida Commission on Ethics voted 8-0 to adopt an advisory opinion allowing Bergeron to join the board. “I am pleased the Florida Commission on Ethics reached a conclusion on this matter and I …