By Clint Thompson North Florida watermelon growers are in the planning stages for next year’s crop in the Suwanee Valley region. That made Thursday’s Suwanee Valley Watermelon Institute in Fanning Springs, Florida, especially important. University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) researchers highlighted trendy topics that producers must consider, a little more than two months away from …
Suwanee Valley Watermelon Institute Scheduled for Dec. 4
By Clint Thompson North Florida watermelon growers should mark their calendars for Thursday, Dec. 4 for the annual Suwanee Valley Watermelon Institute. Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, talked about the upcoming meeting, scheduled to take place in Fanning Springs, Florida. “The first Thursday in December we’ll …
South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline: Choanephora Update
Reports of Choanephora Rot in South Florida vegetable crops range from medium to low populations, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. In Southwest Florida, crop scouts report Choanephora in multiple pepper fields with low incidences, typical for the current hot fall weather. However, some fields have experienced significant infections leading to plant damage. In fields in the …
Lack of Tropical Activity Leads to Exceptional Drought in Southeast
By Clint Thompson The lack of tropical systems this summer and early fall contributed to extreme and exceptional drought designations across some areas in the Southeast. Pam Knox, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension agricultural climatologist, highlighted the current drought period that includes exceptional drought areas in South Georgia and North Florida. “It was pretty wet early in the growing season …
Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: Cultiva, Bend But Don’t Break
By Frank Giles When Federico Boscolo arrived in North Florida to establish and operate a new leafy greens farm, the concept of 100-year storms was not burned into his mind or vocabulary. That changed in 2017 when a nearly decade-long stretch of quiet hurricane seasons ended with Hurricane Irma. Boscolo’s family hails from Italy, where their company, Cultiva, is a …
How Long Can We Wait? Timeliness Essential When Consuming Leftovers
By Clint Thompson Thanksgiving Day feasts across the Southeast this week means people are consuming plenty of delicious foods like turkey, ham, fruits and vegetables. While food safety is essential Thanksgiving Day, it is also important for those leftovers and how long people can wait before consuming them. Keith Schneider, a food safety professor in the University of Florida Institute …
Food Safety a Priority This Thanksgiving Holiday
By Clint Thompson Thanksgiving is a time for food, family and fellowship. Getting sick is never part of the equation this time of year. That is why food safety should be prioritized. More food is being prepared for more people, emphasizes Keith Schneider, a food safety professor in the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) food …
Exceptional Drought Observed in Southeast
By Clint Thompson Drought conditions remain a concern across the Southeast, according to the Nov. 27 release of the U.S. Drought Monitor. Conditions have worsened across South Georgia and North Florida. Exceptional drought conditions are observed in the southern halves of Decatur, Grady, Thomas and Brooks counties. They are also seen in the northern halves of Gadsden, Leon, Jefferson and …
South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline: Caterpillar Infestation Update
Caterpillar pressure varies across southern Florida, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. Overall worm pressure varies from low to high in southwest Florida. It mostly depends on location, crop and date of planting. Scouts indicate that sweet corn fields experienced low to moderate, but constant pressure from fall armyworm on young and silking corn. Beet armyworm laid …
La Niña Looms: Dry Conditions Could Worsen
By Clint Thompson A looming La Niña weather pattern means the current dry conditions across the Southeast are likely to worsen over the next couple of months, according to, Pam Knox, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension agricultural climatologist. “We’re going into a La Niña winter, and typically a La Niña winter means we are more likely to have a warmer …



















