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Below you'll find a list of all posts that have been categorized as “Florida”
PLANT CITY, FL — Wish Farms is entering the 2025–2026 Florida strawberry season with renewed optimism, following a season marked by Hurricane Milton’s impacts and rising input and labor costs. The season, which runs through April, promises exceptional quality and flavor. “Last year was a challenge,” said Nick Wishnatzki, Wish Farms Public Relations Director. “But our team’s strategy, resilience and …
By Clint Thompson The impact of the termination of the Tomato Suspension Agreement will not be fully realized for another couple of months, according to one industry leader. Robert Guenther, executive vice president of the Florida Tomato Exchange, said that when the calendar turns to 2026 is when the tomato industry should see the full effect of the agreement’s termination …
The November issue of Specialty Crop Grower Magazine highlights Cultiva and its high tunnel vegetable production. With approximately 865 high tunnels, covering a farmable area of about 150 acres, it is an impressive sight to behold in North Florida. But hurricanes in recent years, notably Idalia in 2023 and Helene in 2024, have challenged production. Federico Boscolo with Cultiva discusses …
By Clint Thompson The groundbreaking for the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Center for Applied Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Agriculture is scheduled for Nov. 7 at the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center in Balm, Florida. Scott Angle, UF/IFAS Senior Vice President, discussed the historic groundbreaking, which supports UF/IFAS as the Silicon Valley of Agriculture. …
Drought conditions are worsening and expanding across most of the Southeast region. According to the Oct. 23 release of the U.S. Drought Monitor, extreme drought is present in western Alabama, southern Georgia and northern Florida. While most of Alabama is experiencing some level of drought conditions, the driest part of the state is in the western part of the state. …
By Clint Thompson The Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association (FFVA) recently submitted a letter to the U.S. Office of Management and Budget regarding the ongoing government shutdown and subsequent pause in H-2A labor certification processing. Florida is the largest user of the H-2A program with approximately 50,000 certified positions every year. Timely processing is important to avoid disruption for Florida …
The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) will host a Master Irrigator Drip Irrigation Short Course on Nov. 13, from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Bell Community Center in Bell, Florida. The program is targeted towards watermelon producers in the Suwanee Valley region but is open to growers of any crop interested in learning …
By Frank Giles The global blueberry market has been evolving over the past 20 years. The fruit has grown in popularity with consumers worldwide. This is a good thing, but it has presented challenges for growers in the Southeast as increased production across the globe competes to supply the demand. Zhengfei Guan, associate professor of economics with the University of …
By Clint Thompson The National Watermelon Association’s (NWA) visit with Congressional leaders in early September allowed industry leadership to continue to stress the importance of ag labor reform. George Szczepanski, NWA executive director, is more encouraged than he’s ever been that reform is not just a dream but can be a reality. “I’m more optimistic than I have been the …
The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Indian River Research and Education Center (IRREC) will host its annual open house on Nov. 1 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 2199 South Rock Road in Fort Pierce. It will offer tours of the research facility, interactive workshops and glasses of fresh orange juice. The event provides …
