This year, the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA) will be focusing on crucial legislation in Washington, D.C. Charles Hall, GFVGA executive director, says the two pieces of legislation the association will be focusing on the most are the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and disaster relief. Hall says he is worried about the USMCA and is going to spend a …
ASTA’s Annual Conference Gathers Global Industry
The American Seed Trade Association’s (ASTA) 58th annual Vegetable and Flower Seed Conference wrapped up this week. According to Andy LaVigne, president and CEO of ASTA, this year’s event provided the perfect spot for this global industry to gather. Over 900 attendees from more than 30 countries filled the Hyatt Grand Cypress in Orlando, Florida. The event included subcommittee meetings, …
Avalon Protects Growers from Pecan Scab
By Alison DeLoach Hurricane Michael caused severe devastation to pecan growers in the Southeast, including the southern region of Georgia. Pecan orchards suffer from pecan scab when the leaves and shucks get wet. The wetter trees become, the more scab infection they develop. However, a new pecan cultivar, Avalon, may be able to help growers in the wake of future …
U.S. Blueberries Gain Traction in India
U.S. blueberries have gone global, making a splash in India at a Blueberry Cocktail event. Donald Van De Werken, proprietor at JD Farms, said the event was a huge success. According to a report from Bollywood Town, Glocal Junction, Andheri, a new-age dining and bar concept incorporating global and local elements, hosted the event. Food and drinks made with U.S. …
Industrial Hemp A Featured Topic at UF/IFAS Ag Policy Conference Feb. 26 in Balm
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Industrial hemp may soon be a financially significant crop in Florida, and an expert with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences will discuss some of the challenges and opportunities related to this fledgling industry at the fourth annual Florida Agricultural Policy Outlook Conference in Balm. The conference happens 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. …
U.S. Blueberries Making an Impact in India
By Alison DeLoach Blueberries have recently become a very popular and healthy snack option in India. Anusaya Fresh, a U.S. distributor of frozen blueberries, is releasing product at Global Junction in Andheri, Mumbai. According to the Food and Beverage News website, FnBnews.com, Anusaya Fresh, JD Farms and Rajv Khinchi will be working together to launch the Blueberry Cocktail event. Dinesh …
Management Methods for Flower Thrips
By Alison DeLoach Since flower thrips have been causing concerns for Georgia’s blueberry growers, the pest was a topic discussed at the Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference. At the conference, Renee Allen, area blueberry agent with the University of Georgia (UGA), presented research on flower thrips and management recommendations for growers. According to Allen, research was conducted in New …
The Future of the Peach Industry
By Alison DeLoach At the recent 2019 Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference, Kay Rentzel, executive director of the National Peach Council, presented Nielsen data on peach trends. According to Rentzel, consumers in today’s world want to know what they are buying, and they search for total transparency from companies when purchasing their products. She believes the peach industry is …
AgNet Media Announces Florida Ag Expo Date and UF Publication Project
GAINESVILLE, FL – Vegetable and specialty crop growers have a new reason to attend the Florida Ag Expo (FAE) this year. The University of Florida’s (UF) annual grower gathering is poised for refocus and reinvention as AgNet Media takes over management of the event. It will be held at the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center (GCREC) in Wimauma, Florida, …
Blueberry Fruit Size Improved with Pollination
By Juanita Popenoe Honey bee pollination increases fruit set and yields in many fruit, but not all. Blueberries are supposed to respond to increased pollinator activity with greater yields. Some fruit growers routinely bring in bee hives to increase pollination, but how many are necessary? Highbush blueberry growers in Washington usually rent 10 hives of Italian honey bees per acre …