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Below you'll find a list of all posts that have been categorized as “Specialty Crop Grower Magazine”
By Frank Giles Specialty crop farms across the Southeast have faced myriad challenges over the past few decades, but many farms have embraced new market opportunities and enjoyed growth. One of those operations is L&M. The farm was founded in 1964 by Joe McGee in Johnston County, North Carolina. In the years since its founding, L&M has grown into a …
By Mike Joyner In agriculture, there is never a shortage of challenges, and 2024 will present its share. At the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association (FFVA), we work every day to effectively advocate for our members to assure their voice is heard and that outcomes reflect their input. Here is a look at how that work will come to life …
By Frank Giles The Florida Ag Expo held at the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center has become a much-anticipated event every November. The Expo draws specialty crop growers from across Florida and beyond. The latest Expo featured a panel discussion of alumni from the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association’s Emerging Leader Development Program (ELDP). The program provides a year-long …
By Lauri M. Baker As temperatures cool over the winter, you may be ready to breathe a sigh of relief as you enjoy a break from the summer’s constant annoyance of pests like mosquitos and ticks. But think again. An age-old belief is that ticks die off in winter months. Unfortunately, this is a myth. While your chance of tick …
By Frank Giles For brassica growers, the diamondback moth reigns as the biggest pest problem they must fight. This is particularly true where the crops are produced year-round, like in Georgia. The pest is estimated to cause as much as $5 billion in crop losses every year worldwide. In the Southeast, cabbage, broccoli and collards are the preferred hosts of …
By Frank Giles Brassica crops have become an important crop in the Southeast. When it comes to disease management, black rot (Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris) is one of the biggest problems that growers fight. Black rot can affect all major brassica crops, including cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, collards and kale. The disease causes the most damage in the leafy …
By Frank Giles With all of the H-2A visa program’s challenges and expenses, I am always impressed by the number of specialty crop growers who depend on it to source reliable labor. For many, it is the only option. And for those who have mastered all of its intricacies, it is even described as a good program. Fast-Rising Wages But …
The February issue of Specialty Crop Grower Magazine focuses on L&M Farms as its cover story. The story focuses on Adam Lytch, who manages the company’s farming operations, and how it has stayed competitive in the modern marketplace. Lytch said consumer preference is more important than ever, and L&M must stay up-to-date with demand in the information age. Black rot …
By Chris Butts “I know of no pursuit in which more zeal and important service can be rendered to any country than by improving its agriculture.” — George Washington, July 1794 Our nation’s founding fathers understood the importance of agriculture to our fledgling republic. The ability to feed ourselves is critical to national security and prevents us from becoming reliant …
According to the Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA), the yellow-legged hornet (Vespa velutina) is a native to tropical and subtropical areas of Southeast Asia. The pest is generally smaller than the northern giant hornet (NGH). Worker hornets can be around half the size of an NGH, and queens can be around ¾ the size. The legs are partially or primarily …
