By Clint Thompson Georgia farmers hoping for financial relief from Hurricane Michael in 2018 can begin submitting online applications to the Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) for the $347 million in Farm Recovery Block Grant funds on March 18. Adam Rabinowitz, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension assistant professor and agricultural economist, believes the block grant funds will provide extra benefits …
Public Field Hearings on Foreign Trade Policies and Produce
(FBGA) — The Office of the United States Trade Representative, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the United States Department of Commerce will hold public hearings in Florida (April 7) and Georgia (April 9) to discuss foreign trade policies that may be harming American growers of seasonal and perishable produce. At the hearings, officials from the federal agencies will hear …
Optimizing Nitrogen in Vidalia Onion Production
By Ashley Robinson A long growing season and a relatively shallow root system make Vidalia onions a crop with specific fertilizer management for soil nitrogen availability during development. Researchers at the University of Georgia (UGA) are conducting trials to investigate the optimal rates of nitrogen fertilizer to produce Vidalia onions. RESEARCH RECOMMENDATIONS According to Andre da Silva, UGA Cooperative Extension …
UGA Extension Schedules Three Grape Growers Workshops
(UGA/CAES) — University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension is holding a series of workshops specifically for Georgia grape growers in March. The classes, set for March 3 in Carrollton; March 5 in Dahlonega; and March 17 in Ellijay, will cover disease and insect control and other critical components of an integrated pest management program for vineyards. “Vineyard managers ask questions …
$347 Million in Block Grants for Georgia Farm Recovery Program
(GFVGA) — Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary W. Black announced the Farm Recovery Block Grants for farmers and forest landowners affected by Hurricane Michael. The Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) will begin accepting online applications for the $347 million in block grant funds on March 18, 2020. Georgia farmers and forest landowners in 95 eligible counties who suffered losses to beef, …
Freezing Temperatures Have Little Impact on Georgia Citrus
By Clint Thompson Last weekend’s freezing temperatures in parts of South Georgia had no effect on the state’s satsuma crop, according to Lindy Savelle, president of the Georgia Citrus Association. The bulk of Georgia’s citrus crop — 80 to 90 percent — is satsuma oranges, a cold-tolerant citrus that can withstand temperatures as low as 15 degrees Fahrenheit. Savelle said …
Georgia Citrus Grower: It’ll Be Years Before Market Gets Saturated
By Clint Thompson Georgia grower Joe Franklin believes the citrus market will stay profitable despite industry leaders expecting the state’s citrus acreage to double by the end of this year. SALES OUTLETS“The school systems are a good outlet for us,” Franklin said. “I was in Atlanta (recently). I’ve never seen so many people in my life. It’s like that in …
Keeping Citrus Greening out of Georgia Groves
By Clint Thompson Citrus greening disease is not yet a problem in Georgia. Jonathan Oliver, University of Georgia (UGA) assistant professor and small fruits pathologist, wants to keep it that way. The disease that has impacted citrus production in Florida for more than a decade has only been observed in backyard plantings in Georgia. However, since the state is expected …
Georgia Citrus Industry Gaining Ground
By Clint Thompson Georgia’s citrus industry is expected to double in acreage by the end of 2020, according to Lindy Savelle, president of the Georgia Citrus Association. The projected increase from 1,000 to nearly 2,000 acres this year presents the growers with an interesting challenge as they prepare for when these trees start producing fruit. “We project by the end …
Georgia Citrus Association to Host Annual Conference
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 …