By Clint Thompson One of the largest produce farmers in Georgia is nervous about the impact the coronavirus impact is having on produce farmers in the Southeast. Bill Brim, part owner of Lewis Taylor Farms in Tifton, Georgia, is in the middle of harvesting some of his fruits and vegetables and has already seen a decrease in demand, amid the …
Florida Farmer: It’s a Very Tough Situation
By Clint Thompson Every day the coronavirus lingers in the United States means more business that is not coming the way of Florida farmers, including Sam Accursio. Restaurants remain closed. So many citizens are unemployed. Fruit and vegetables are not being consumed as much like they were. Accursio produces pickle and cucumber, green beans and yellow and green squash on …
Georgia Vegetable Growers Should Plan Ahead to Prepare for Harvest in Light of COVID-19 Pandemic
By Andre Luiz Biscaia Ribeiro da Silva/UGA CAES News Most vegetable crops in Georgia — such as bell pepper, specialty peppers, tomato, eggplant, cucumber, yellow squash, and zucchini — are currently being planted and will continue to be into early April. These crops should be harvested in May and June. However, in light of the current coronavirus (COVID-19) situation, Georgia …
Hoop Houses Benefit Organic Vegetable Production
By Clint Thompson Hoop houses help protect vegetables from rain-induced diseases while providing organic growers the opportunity to produce a crop throughout the year, according to Elizabeth Little, University of Georgia associate professor and Extension plant pathologist. BETTER QUALITY, LESS SPACEHoop houses, also known as high tunnels, are types of greenhouses that help organic growers produce high-quality crops if managed …
Florida Produce Farmer: Eventually, Food Could Become Scarce
By Clint Thompson Florida fruit and vegetable farmers are being devastated by the coronavirus pandemic, and one producer is pleading with the U.S. government to intercede. Due to the virus’ spread over the last three weeks, restaurants everywhere have been forced to close their doors. This reduces the amount of produce that is sold throughout the country. For producers in …
Fruit and Vegetables Are Still Safe to Eat
By Clint Thompson Even during times of global fear of the current coronavirus pandemic, fruit and vegetables are safe to eat, says Kristin Woods, Alabama Regional Extension agent, who specializes in food safety. That’s the message she is trying to convey to consumers who are fearful of the produce being sold in supermarkets and grocery stores. “The kind of information …
Vegetable Fumigation: Part Science, Part Art and Part Experience
By A.S. Culpepper Vegetable growers continue to face a tremendous number of production challenges; fumigation is no exception. With the loss of methyl bromide and Paladin, current sustainable systems for producing multiple crops on a single mulch installation often include finding the optimum combination of 1,3-dichloropropene (Telone II), chloropicrin and/or metam sodium (Vapam, Sectagon, etc.). However, fumigant selection is only …
Fruit and Vegetable Producers Already Feeling Effects of Pandemic
By Clint Thompson President Trump signed the $2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES) into law on Friday to help provide some financial relief to Americans and jumpstart the economy amid the coronavirus pandemic. Monetary help may be on the way for fruit and vegetable growers in the Southeast, but the effects of the pandemic have already …
UGA Economist Fears Coronavirus’ Impact on Fruit and Vegetable Industry
By Clint Thompson The coronavirus pandemic may have struck a blow to the country’s fruit and vegetable industry and could have repercussions for the foreseeable future, says Greg Fonsah, University of Georgia Agribusiness Extension economist. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic that has caused global fear, it was initially announced that the U.S. Embassy in Mexico would stop interviews of seasonal workers, …
Fungicide Update for Vegetable Crops
By Ashley Robinson Vegetable growers are always on high alert to prevent major fungal diseases from damaging their crops. During the 2020 Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference, Bhabesh Dutta, assistant research professor and Extension plant pathologist at the University of Georgia (UGA), provided growers with updates on major fungal diseases and their control as well as updates on fungicide …