By Clint Thompson Georgia growers interested in adding citrus to their farming operation are invited to the fourth annual Georgia Citrus Association Conference on Monday, Feb. 24, at the University of Georgia (UGA) Tifton Campus Conference Center. Scientists from UGA and the University of Florida, as well as producers who are already growing citrus trees, will be in attendance to …
Update on Georgia Hemp Production
By Clint Thompson Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black said at the Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference that hemp production in his state remains on hold, pending approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) developed a Georgia Hemp Plan (http://agr.georgia.gov/hemp/Georgia-Hemp-Plan.pdf) to regulate production in Georgia and has sent it to the USDA. “We’re …
Georgia Hemp Production on Hold
By Clint Thompson Georgia farmers looking to grow hemp can’t do so without the state legislature first authorizing $800,000 to the Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) to oversee hemp production. In response to a hemp production plan submitted by the GDA, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) required that the Georgia Legislature appropriate funds for oversight, according to University of …
Georgia Ag Industry Leaders Recognized
By Clint Thompson The Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA) recognized several industry leaders during an awards breakfast held at the Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference on Jan. 11 in Savannah, Georgia. “What we’ve found out over history is we have a lot of folks in our industry that are recognized at other places — national meetings or …
Georgia Grown Continues to Gain Ground
By Clint Thompson The Georgia Grown program continues to expand every year and highlights products grown in the state, like blueberries, pecans, milk and Vidalia onions. Its presence at events throughout the year, like the Sunbelt Ag Expo, allows the Georgia Department of Agriculture to showcase Georgia grown products, which help make agriculture the No. 1 industry in the state. …
Conference Highlighted Key Crops and Grower Concerns
By Clint Thompson The Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference (SERFVC) in Savannah, Georgia, educated growers and industry leaders about production practices for 13 different commodities during the four-day event, held Jan. 9-12. The educational programs and trade show attracted more than 3,300 participants and vendors. Sessions were aimed at introducing growers to citrus production in Georgia, teaching interested producers …
Georgia Submits Revised Industrial Hemp Plan and Rules
In response to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) promulgation of the interim final rule governing the production of hemp under the 2018 farm bill on Oct. 31, 2019, the Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) has submitted an updated “Georgia Hemp Plan” to comply with USDA’s requirements. View the plan here. Pursuant to the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, O.C.G.A. …
Light Bulb Moments in the Improvement of Greenhouse Growing
By Aaron Hale (UGA/CAES) — The illuminated light bulb. It’s the symbol of a great idea come to life. Erico Mattos’ big idea doesn’t reinvent that iconic bulb exactly but reimagines how it can be used. Around the globe, greenhouses grow fruits and vegetables to provide a healthy food supply year-round. But as reliable as the sun is for providing light …
Muscadine Grapes Are Susceptible to Nematode Damage
By Ashley Robinson Muscadine grapes were once thought to be immune to nematode damage, but researchers have discovered this is not true. Native to the deep southeastern United States, muscadine grapes are often recognized for their disease and insect resistance due to their tough skin. However, recent research has proven that these grapes may not be as hearty as they …
Disease Management Update for Georgia Blueberries
By Jonathan Oliver In 2019, Georgia blueberry production rebounded from the effects of the devastating late freezes in 2017 and 2018. Nonetheless, blueberry producers in the southeastern United States must contend annually with environmental factors such as heat and humidity that can provide an ideal climate for the development of disease issues. The University of Georgia (UGA)-Tifton fruit pathology program …