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Labor Forum to Feature Workshops on Heat Illness Prevention

Web AdminFlorida, Labor

Heat awareness and safety concerns continue to be a priority for agricultural employers and their employees. Producers can learn more about heat illness prevention during the 49th Annual Agricultural Labor Relations Forum, scheduled for Sept. 6-8, 2023 at the Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort Bonnet Creek. Attendees will learn of the hazards associated with heat illness, resources for employers, compliance and …

New Chair: Mathews Paret to Lead UF Plant Pathology

Web AdminFlorida

Mathews Paret, professor in the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) plant pathology department, will step into the role of department chair starting Sept. 15, 2023. Paret will lead the department of more than 30 faculty members based on the University of Florida’s Gainesville campus and at research and education centers around the state. Plant pathologists …

Agenda Finalized for Next Month’s Expo

Web AdminCitrus and Specialty Crop Expo, Events, Florida

By Clint Thompson The agenda is finalized for next month’s Citrus and Specialty Crop Expo. The two-day event, scheduled for Aug. 16-17 at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa, Florida, will feature seminar topics tailoring to citrus and specialty crop producers. Topics like Best Management Practices, thrips management, plant growth regulators and optimizing irrigation practices will be featured during sessions …

Central Florida Event to Help Farmers Navigate Regulations

Web AdminEvents, Florida

Farms are businesses, and producers have the double challenge of following a host of complex rules and regulations while also trying to turn a profit. That’s why the University of Florida is hosting the inaugural Growing Together: Central Florida Partners for Agriculture Symposium on Thursday, July 27 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the University of Florida Institute of …

Minimal Crop Expected in Cold-Hardy Citrus Region

Web AdminCitrus, Florida

By Clint Thompson Citrus harvests are just a few months away for growers in the cold-hardy citrus region of eastern Alabama, southern Georgia and the Florida Panhandle. Unfortunately, those harvests will be reduced to about 25% of the normal crop, according to industry leaders. The Christmas freeze event devastated this year’s crop in the region. Kim Jones, who grows and …

From Start to Finish: Chilli Thrips Remain a Season-Long Concern for Florida Strawberry Growers

Web AdminFlorida, Pests, Strawberry

By Clint Thompson Strawberry planting season is just around the corner for South Florida producers. One part of production that growers will have to be ready for is managing chilli thrips. Sriyanka Lahiri, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) assistant professor of entomology and nematology at the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, discussed chilli thrips …

Nominations for Florida Ag Hall of Fame Due Sept. 1

Web AdminFlorida

TAMPA, Fla. – The Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame, which honors producers, commodity leaders, educators, scientists and others who have contributed to agriculture in the Sunshine State, is accepting nominations for its class of 2024 inductees. There are two ways to nominate: Nominations and supporting materials must be submitted electronically no later than Sept. 1.  “The Hall of Fame celebrates …

UF/IFAS Benefits From Record-Setting Session

Web AdminFlorida

By Mary Ann Hooks and Christopher Hodge  This year, the total Florida state budget climbed to $116.5 billion, the largest in the state’s history. There are historic investments in Florida’s higher education system, environment, healthcare, rainy day funds, and just about every other silo as we shine bright into the future. Here are some of the highlights of how the …

Rubio, Colleagues Introduce Land Grant Research Prioritization Act

Web AdminFlorida, Legislative

U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL), Jon Ossoff (D-GA), and Raphael Warnock (D-GA) introduced bipartisan legislation last week to authorize the U.S. Department of Agriculture to make priority research grants available for land-grant universities to research and develop agricultural applications of artificial intelligence (AI), advanced mechanized harvester technologies, invasive species control and aquaculture. “Florida’s land-grant universities are constantly innovating to address …

Bumper Crop: Florida Watermelon Growers Still Lead Nation in Production

Web AdminFlorida, Research, Watermelon

While many enjoy sweet, cool watermelon as a treat or snack this summer, remember where it comes from. Some Florida growers claim they had their best season ever. Florida continues to lead the nation in watermelon production. From 2010 to 2021, Florida growers ranked No. 1 in the United States with an average of 22,616 acres of watermelon harvested per …