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Below you'll find a list of all posts that have been categorized as “Florida”
By Clint Thompson Florida’s summer blueberry meetings have come and gone. It was an important series of meetings for growers in the blueberry region, according to Doug Phillips, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) blueberry Extension coordinator. “Polk County and Alachua County were very well attended. We had a really good turnout for both,” Phillips said. …
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced this week the launch of a centralized online information hub for the state’s previously announced disaster block grant program for producers impacted by hurricanes in 2023 and 2024. The new webpage — FDACS.gov/BlockGrant — will serve as the official source for updates, eligibility criteria, and application details as they become available. …
By Clint Thompson A summer with persistent rains is turning dry across some areas in the Southeast, according to the July 24 release of the U.S. Drought Monitor. South Florida remains the area most impacted by prolonged dry conditions. Extreme drought is observed in the western part of Miami-Dade County. Severe drought is also seen in Monroe, Miami-Dade, Broward and …
By Clint Thompson The specialty crop sector benefited from the recently passed One Big Beautiful Bill. That was a point of emphasis from Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson (PA-15), chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture, during his talk last week at the Southern Peanut Growers Conference in Panama City Beach, Florida. The legislation provided a boost to crop research, which directly impacts …
By Clint Thompson The termination of the U.S.-Mexico Tomato Suspension Agreement will have immediate and long-term impacts on the tomato industry. Robert Guenther, executive vice president of the Florida Tomato Exchange, described what he envisions the ramifications will be following last week’s historic decision. “I think as we move from summer into the fall, winter season, I think what you’re …
By Taylor Sewell Following the Mind Your Melon Foundation’s inaugural Think Outside the Barn (TOTB) event, I am more hopeful than ever for the future of mental health in agriculture. The event was held in May at Southern Hill Farms in Clermont, Florida. While framed as a benefit, the event served as a deeper extension of the organization’s vision: To …
By Clint Thompson The absence of extreme weather during this year’s sweet corn season in Florida benefited production but negatively impacted market prices. Weather conditions cooperated, as the state’s sweet corn growers produced a strong crop that was both high in quality and quantity. However, it also led to excess supply, which led to a drop in demand. Market prices …
By Clint Thompson Drought across the Southeast remains sporadic and mostly a non-issue, according to the July 17 release of the U.S. Drought Monitor. Florida remains the state with the most drought-like conditions, especially in the southern part of the state. Extreme, severe and moderate drought conditions are observed in South Florida. Extreme drought is seen in the western part …
By Clint Thompson This week’s block grant agreement between the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) concerning federal disaster assistance is a win for the state’s producers, including Dan Richey, president of Riverfront Packing Company. He was present for Monday’s press conference in Felda, Florida, where Ag Secretary Brooke L. Rollins announced …
By Frank Giles Producers featured in Specialty Crop Grower often come from multigenerational farm families. While that is well worth recognizing, when a first-generation farmer comes along, that is also worth celebrating in an age when farm numbers are declining. Paul Orsenigo, founder of Orsenigo Farms Inc., is a first-generation farmer. This year marks the 40th anniversary of his enterprise. …
