By Clint Thompson Tim Coolong, associate professor in the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, said oversupply of hemp at the national level remains a concern. He’s not as worried with Georgia, however, due to rules and regulations in place. “I think on the bulk wholesale market, I’m still worried about oversupply. In Georgia, I think we’re in a …
Georgia Watermelon Farmer: What’s Worrying me the Most is the Labor
By Clint Thompson Terrell Rutland is preparing for the upcoming watermelon season just like other Georgia farmers. And like his fellow producers, Rutland is uncertain as to what to expect from this year’s crop, amid the coronavirus pandemic. “Nobody knows. That’s the end of the story, nobody knows,” Rutland said. “We don’t know about labor. We don’t know about price, …
Florida Farmer: We’ve Left About 5 Million Pounds of Cabbage in the Field
By Clint Thompson One of the largest produce farmers in the Southeast has already lost quite a bit of his spring crop and fears what the future might hold amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. “We’ve left about 2 million pounds of green beans already (in the field) and about 5 million pounds of cabbage,” said Paul Allen, president of R.C. …
U.S. Congressman: Additional Funds Will be Ready if Needed for Paycheck Protection Program
By Clint Thompson The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), an integral part of the $2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, that will aid small businesses recover amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, may not have sufficient funds to support the $350 billion allocated for the program. One United States Congressman insists, though, that additional funds will be ready …
Farmers Need to Beef up Security During Desperate Times
By Clint Thompson Farmers need to beef up their security amid the coronavirus pandemic, according to Gene McAvoy, Associate Director for Stakeholder Relations for the University of Florida IFAS Southwest Florida Research and Education Center. As unemployment continues to skyrocket across the country, this often leads to an increase in theft instances. McAvoy said farmers are vulnerable right now since …
Produce Market Sours on Florida, Georgia Farmers
By Clint Thompson One of the largest produce farmers in Georgia is nervous about the impact the coronavirus impact is having on produce farmers in the Southeast. Bill Brim, part owner of Lewis Taylor Farms in Tifton, Georgia, is in the middle of harvesting some of his fruits and vegetables and has already seen a decrease in demand, amid the …
Congressman Scott: Apply Today for Paycheck Protection Program
By Clint Thompson The Paycheck Protection Program might be an option for farmers to consider, but Congressman Austin Scott implores those interested to apply today. The recently passed $2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which is intended to provide financial relief amid the coronavirus pandemic, includes $350 billion for the Paycheck Protection Program. It is designed …
Alabama Extension Specialist Cautiously Optimistic About Peach Crop
By Clint Thompson Peach season is less than two months away for Alabama and Georgia growers and Edgar Vinson, assistant research professor and Extension specialist in the Department of Horticulture at Auburn University, is encouraged by this year’s crop despite a very mild winter. “I’m cautiously optimistic. I do think we got more chilling than the chill hour models tell …
Citrus Farmer: Crop not a Cure-All but Definitely Money-Making Opportunity
By Clint Thompson A farmer in north Florida is excited about the potential of citrus in the South Georgia-North Florida region. Kim Jones, who owns a citrus packing facility in Monticello, Florida and is part-owner of a similar facility that will soon open in Tifton, Georgia, believes citrus will be the alternative crop producers are looking for to stabilize their …
UGA Extension Food Safety Specialist Addresses Issues Surrounding COVID-19
As COVID-19 continues to impact and alter the southeastern produce industry and world, there is an increase in questions from growers, packers, and shippers of fresh produce. Some issues that have surfaced this week include: How can the 6-foot rule apply to harvest and packing crews? What do I do when employee housing meets US DOL guidelines but employees are …