Category Archive

By Clint Thompson North Florida watermelon producers have dodged disease buildup with this year’s crop due to the lingering drought conditions present in the region. But that doesn’t mean growers should not be on high alert. Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, highlighted what producers should …

By Frank Giles When the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) went into effect in July 2020, specialty crop growers in the Southeast were disappointed the replacement of the North American Free Trade Agreement did little to protect their domestic interests and markets. When the agreement was crafted, it included a provision that the USMCA would undergo a joint review to assess …

Time is running out to take advantage of hotel savings for the Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo. The early-bird rate at the host hotel expires May 1, so attendees will want to book soon to lock in the lower price. The Expo will take place Aug. 12–13 at the Caloosa Sound Convention Center in downtown Fort Myers. Each year, the …

By AgNet Media Staff The Florida Citrus Show marked another successful event in March in Fort Pierce. The show provided attendees with a fun, informative day to learn about citrus and specialty crops while engaging with exhibitors during the tailgate-style trade show. CRAFT Update Citrus Research and Field Trial (CRAFT) programs have been very popular with growers and have incentivized …

By Frank Giles  For BJ Wilkerson, farming is all he’s every known, and he would not have it any other way. As a fourth-generation farmer, he says his family is working hard to ensure there is a place for the fifth generation to continue the legacy. “We have about eight family members involved working on the farm, along with 11 …

By Clint Thompson The House Ag Committee did its part in the farm bill process with its passage of the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 on March 5, 2026. House Republicans are eyeing a floor vote for the farm bill legislation during the last week in April, according to Politico. John Walt Boatright, director of government affairs …

By Frank Giles In 1862, President Lincoln signed the Morrill Act into law. The legislation created the land-grant university system that was intended to teach about farming practices and serve agriculture. That mission continues to this day, and you see land-grant universities in the Southeast cited often in this magazine. Those institutions have played a vital role in the advancement …

By Clint Thompson North Florida and South Georgia watermelon producers must be aware that fusarium wilt disease is showing up across North Florida. Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, said in his weekly email that the disease has also been observed in UF/IFAS research trials. Symptoms …

The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) has issued management strategies that blueberry growers should implement for April. Diseases For disease management, producers should apply suggested fungicides in rotation for control of disease threats like anthracnose and/or Alternaria fruit rot. Prompt harvests and cooling of ripe fruit is also important. One tool that growers should also …