Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: The Last Word

Clint ThompsonFlorida, Specialty Crop Grower Magazine

It’s Time to Compete -Fairly By Robert Guenther The termination of the U.S.–Mexico Tomato Suspension Agreement isn’t just the end of a flawed trade deal. It’s a turning point for American tomato growers and, more broadly, for how this country chooses to defend its agricultural backbone in a global economy. For nearly 30 years, domestic producers operated under suspension agreements …

Preregistration Deadline for Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo is Aug. 15

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Clint Thompson Southeast specialty crop producers are reminded that Friday, Aug. 15 is the deadline to preregister for the Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo, scheduled for Aug. 20-21 at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa, Florida. Those interested can click here for the conference agenda. The trade show will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Aug. …

Drought Monitor Update

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Clint Thompson Drought conditions continue to remain a problem over parts of the Southeast, even following a rainy week last week. Southwest Alabama, Southwest Georgia and most of central and southern Florida are the areas most impacted by dry conditions, according to the Aug. 7 release of the U.S. Drought Monitor. Alabama Abnormally dry conditions in Alabama start in …

Florida Blackberry Producer: Volume Was Half of Last Year

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Clint Thompson The blackberry season did not transpire the way one Florida producer had hoped. Matt Parke, farm manager of Parkesdale Farms in Plant City, Florida, will give it one more season or change his approach to producing the fruit in the future. “Volume was off; probably half the volume of last year. I did get them to go …

Scientists to Share Latest Hemp Production Research During Aug. 13 Field Day

Clint ThompsonFlorida

The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) will host a hemp field day on Wednesday, Aug. 13, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the UF/IFAS Plant Science Research and Education Unit in Citra, Florida. The UF/IFAS Plant Science Research and Education Unit is located at 2556 County Highway 318, Citra, Florida. UF/IFAS researchers, Extension agents …

Chairman Thompson Discusses Labor Needs for Producers

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Clint Thompson Labor continues to be a trendy topic discussed among specialty crop producers. The H-2A program remains the only reliable workforce. Fruit and vegetable farmers need it to stay reliable heading into the future. Reforming the program must be a priority, according to Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson (PA-15), chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture. He talked about labor during …

Cold-Hardy Citrus Growers Should Consider Multiple Varieties

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Clint Thompson and Dale Sandlin The potential lack of satsuma mandarins this season in the cold-hardy citrus region should not discourage growers from adding to their production portfolio in the future. It just means they need to try other varieties, despite satsumas being the most commonly produced variety in the region. Jake Price, University of Georgia (UGA) area citrus …

Quiet Tropics: Reminder That Average Date for First Atlantic Hurricane is Aug. 11

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Clint Thompson The tropics have been surprisingly quiet in the Atlantic so far, especially when compared to previous years. But specialty crop producers should be mindful that the average date for the first hurricane in the Atlantic is still a week away. Pam Knox, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension agricultural climatologist, discussed the current state in the tropics on …

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Free UF/IFAS Workshop to Help Farmers Master Financial Planning

Clint ThompsonFlorida

Florida specialty crop growers and aspiring producers should mark their calendars for Aug. 7. The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), in collaboration with Texas A&M and Agricultural Finance, Tax, and Asset Protection, will host a hands-on workshop at the UF/IFAS Extension office in Miami-Dade County in Homestead, Florida. The workshop, titled, “Business Planning and Tax …

Wedgworth

Wedgworth Leadership Institute Graduates Its 12th Class

Dan CooperEducation, Florida

Twenty-nine Florida agribusiness leaders graduated from Class XII of the esteemed Wedgworth Leadership Institute for Agriculture and Natural Resources. The Institute is run by the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) and has been developing leaders in Florida since 1991. This milestone marks the successful completion of a rigorous two-year leadership development program designed to prepare …