By Frank Giles The U.S. Department of Agriculture has released the results of its Farm Labor Survey. This data is used by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) to determine the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR), which establishes the minimum wages for H-2A workers in states. The survey results indicate the new AEWR in 2023 is estimated to be $14.33, …
Alabama Extension to Host Nutrient Management Meeting
Alabama Extension will host a nutrient management meeting, focusing on farmers’ concerns about the rising fertilizer prices. The meeting will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 6 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Autauga County Extension Office in Autaugaville, Alabama. Rishi Prasad, Alabama Extension specialist and assistant professor in Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences at Auburn University, said the …
Interplanting Ornamentals With Vegetable Crops
By Ayanava Majumdar, Olivia Fuller and David Lawrence Small farms are diversified farms that grow many crops in a limited space. One question that is asked very commonly is whether it is advisable to interplant ornamentals with vegetable crops, also known as companion planting. It is somewhat common to see ornamental plants in rows with vegetables, for example, in high …
Florida Ag Expo Explores Fresh Produce Trends
By Frank Giles The 14th annual Florida Ag Expo was held on Nov. 2 at the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center in Wimauma, Florida. The event was well attended by specialty crop growers, industry representatives and commercial suppliers. The event hosted a wide-ranging educational program touching on trends in produce marketing, the economy and the supply chain outlook for …
Giving Blueberries a Boost to Continue Consumption Growth
By Frank Giles The Florida Blueberry Growers Association hosted its annual short course in Howey-in-the-Hills, Florida, in October. The meeting featured educational sessions ranging from optimizing pollination and marketing to chilli thrips control and new varieties. Growers were in good spirits at the meeting, despite impacts from Hurricane Ian. While some growers further south in the state took a hard …
Promotion and Marketing Critical to Florida Blueberry Industry’s Success
By Frank Giles The Florida Blueberry Growers Association hosted its annual short course in Howey-in-the-Hills, Florida, in October. The meeting featured educational sessions ranging from optimizing pollination and marketing to chilli thrips control and new varieties. Growers were in good spirits at the meeting, despite impacts from Hurricane Ian. While some growers further south in the state took a hard …
New Date Set for Ag Labor Relations Forum
The 48th annual Agricultural Labor Relations Forum has been rescheduled following the postponement from Hurricane Ian. The labor relations forum will now be presented in a virtual format over a four-week period, beginning Tuesday, Oct. 25. The Florida Specialty Crop Foundation presents the forum. It educates agricultural employers, including growers, shippers, farm labor contractors and other employers, on compliance with Ag labor laws …
Florida’s Tomato Supply Good Despite Hurricane Ian
Florida’s November tomato crop will be smaller than normal due to the impact of Hurricane Ian, but Florida will remain a significant supplier from now through December. The weather since the hurricane has been ideal, allowing growers to quickly recuperate fields. This means that even those farms that sustained damage will be able to harvest a portion of their crop, according to …
Hops Field Day Scheduled for Sept. 28
Florida’s specialty crop producers are reminded that the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) will be hosting a Fall 2022 Hops Field Day at the Gulf Coasta Research and Education Center in Wimauma, Florida on Wednesday, Sept. 28. Attendees will learn about the double-season hop production system and the potential of brewing hops in Florida. The …
Pongamia: An Alternative Crop With Great Potential In Florida
By Amir Rezazadeh To overcome economic losses from citrus greening disease, Florida citrus growers are looking for alternative crops that could be planted in their current fallow lands. Besides maintaining the ag community’s wellbeing, alternative crops should require low water and nutrient inputs in order to promote environmental sustainability. One such alternative is Pongamia pinnata, also known as pongam, a …