By Clint Thompson Today’s talk with U.S. Secretary of Ag Sonny Perdue focuses on imports of Mexican produce. It’s been a concern for farmers who are trying to compete against Mexico. It was especially concerning this year as growers, especially in the Southeast, also had to overcome challenges with the coronavirus pandemic. For other testimonials of unfair competition with Mexico, …
CFAP Payments Already Being Issued
By Clint Thompson Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) payments are already starting to be issued across the country to farmers impacted by COVID-19. Some specialty crop growers in the Southeast have already started receiving funds. As of June 8, in Florida, 95 specialty crop applications have been submitted with $11.5 million in payments issued by the USDA. In Georgia, 91 …
Powdery Mildew Alert!
According to UGA Extension Viticulture blog, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Fruit Disease Specialist Phil Brannen says powdery mildew is just starting to show up on untreated plants in the research grape vineyard at Blairsville, Georgia. “I hope you will not see it yet in well managed vineyards, but recent rains and other difficulties may have hampered spray programs,” Brannen …
Secretary Perdue Discusses CFAP
Farmers are currently submitting applications for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP). In some instances, checks have already been issued to producers impacted by COVID-19. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue talked about CFAP with Clint Thompson, multimedia journalist with AgNet Media. In particular, he discussed the cap placed on the payments issued to each eligible grower. For more information …
Georgia: Ag bills still in play when session paused
By Will Bentley It’s a surreal moment in Georgia politics as two years of policy work hangs in the balance after lawmakers pressed the pause button on the 2020 legislative session due to the coronavirus pandemic. Before turning our full attention to working with state and federal leaders to navigate through the heath crisis, the Georgia Agribusiness Council (GAC) was …
Secretary Perdue: Farmers to Families Food Box Program a Win For All Involved
United States Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue was in Lakeland, Fla. on Monday. He attended a farmers to families food box event. It’s a new program that the United States Department of Agriculture launched to purchase $3 billion in excess food from farmers and distribute to families in need. He talked about the program with Clint Thompson, multimedia journalist with …
Japanese Beetles Active in Georgia Vineyards
According to the UGA Extension Viticulture Blog, Japanese beetles are starting to become more widespread in west Georgia vineyards. University of Georgia entomologist Brett Blaauw says the pests are only beginning to emerge but expects the populations to increase exponentially over the next few weeks. “In large enough numbers, Japanese beetles can be a severe pest of grapes during the …
Pepper Weevils a Problem for Vegetable Growers Again
By Clint Thompson Pepper weevils are once again a problem for pepper growers in the Southeast. Weevils are a problem wherever present, whether it is in high populations or low populations. “Anytime you have pepper weevil it’s a problem and in very low populations because of the contamination. High populations can cause fruit abscission. It can hurt your yields considerably. …
Georgia Budget Cuts Include Five Farmers Market Locations
By Clint Thompson Unless changes are made by the Georgia Legislature to the Department of Agriculture’s proposed budget cuts, five state farmers market locations could soon become business casualties. Locations in Augusta, Cordele, Macon, Savannah and Thomasville are on the list to be cut. Julie McPeake, Georgia Department of Agriculture Chief Communication Officer, said the proposal has been sent to …
Fire Ant Swarms a Danger to Hemp
By Clint Thompson Hemp producers in the Southeast need to be mindful of fire ants. They will damage the stems of hemp plants if not treated, said Katelyn Kesheimer, Auburn University Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist. “My phone has been ringing off the hook with fire ant problems the last seven days, really. A couple of weeks ago, we had …