Peaches are popular, especially in the Southeast, with annual national production of about 806,000 tons. Growers can help keep pests and diseases from damaging the fruit by placing bags around individual peaches, University of Florida researchers say. David Campbell, a UF/IFAS post-doctoral researcher, led new research, funded by a U.S. Department of Agriculture Organic Research and Extension Initiative grant. UF/IFAS …
Change in Leadership: Hall to Step Down as GFVGA Executive Director
Starting Dec. 1, the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA) will have a new leader. Charles Hall announced his intention to move into a semi-retirement role, beginning Dec. 1. Chris Butts, GFVGA Director of Public Affairs, has been named the association’s next executive vice president. Hall spent 25 years as the executive director of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable …
GFVGA: Changes Need to be Made to Farm Workforce Modernization Act
By Clint Thompson The Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA) recognizes the urgent need for the Senate to pass its version of the Farm Workforce Modernization Act before the end of the year. The GFVGA also acknowledges the need for necessary changes be made to the bill in its current format. Charles Hall, executive director of the Georgia Fruit …
Doing More with Less: How Pecan Producers Can Still Succeed
By Clint Thompson A point of emphasis over the past couple of years with Southeast pecan production is doing more with less. It starts with scab resistant varieties, says Lenny Wells, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension pecan specialist. “That’s been the theme the last year or two in a lot of our presentations, shifting to more resistant varieties that we …
Price Adjustment: Watermelon Farmers Need Assistance to Remain Sustainable
By Clint Thompson Extremely high input costs makes watermelon production unsustainable for Southeast producers. Carr Hussey, a watermelon farmer in Florida, Georgia and Alabama and chairman of the board of the Florida Watermelon Association (FWA), said there be a must price adjustment for farmers to remain afloat. “Pricing, I think it’s going to change this season, I really do. Farmers …
GFVGA Executive Director: Can’t Depend on Input Costs Dropping
By Clint Thompson Input costs are high right now for Georgia’s vegetable and specialty crop producers. Charles Hall, executive director of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA), says his farmers can’t bank on prices for freight, fertilizer, diesel and labor to decrease for the foreseeable future. “I don’t think you can depend on it going away. You’ve just …
Elsa Aftermath: FDACS Responds to Secretarial Disaster Designation
Tallahassee, Fla. — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has informed Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) that it has granted a Secretarial disaster designation in several counties in Georgia and Florida due to losses caused by Tropical Storm Elsa, excessive wind, and excessive rainfall that occurred on July 7, 2021. …
Georgia Ag Labor Relations Forum an Important Two-Day Event for Producers
By Clint Thompson Next month’s Georgia Agricultural Labor Relations Forum is an opportunity for growers to receive timely information about various labor-related topics. Chris Butts, director of legislative affairs with the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, said the two-day event is essential for producers who need to stay up to date on important labor-related issues. “There are so many …
S.C. Producer Named Southeastern Farmer of the Year
South Carolina fruit and vegetable producer Robert “Bob” Martin Hall was named the Swisher/Sunbelt Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year on Tuesday during the 43rd annual Sunbelt Ag Expo in Moultrie, Georgia. Hall, from York, South Carolina, is in his 42nd year of farming. He produces strawberries, peaches, cantaloupes, melons, blackberries, blueberries, sweet corn, peas, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, squash, …
High Pecan Prices so Far for Southeast Producers
By Clint Thompson Early returns on this year’s pecan crop show high prices for Pawnee varieties, says University of Georgia Cooperative Extension pecan specialist Lenny Wells. “I’ve been hearing anywhere from $2.50 to $2.65 in that range for Pawnee, which is good,” Wells said. Pawnee pecans are usually the first variety to be ready for harvest every season, usually about …