IMMOKALEE, Fla. (UF/IFAS) — Like much of what lies just beneath the earth’s surface, soil microbes present a mystery. University of Florida scientist Sarah Strauss seeks to help untangle the web of intrigue surrounding soil microbes to improve agricultural production in Florida and globally. “There are microbial activities going on that we don’t exactly understand. It’s known as the ‘black …
Enza Zaden Field Day Features Watermelons and More
Growers and seed distributors had a field day Tuesday at the Enza Zaden seed breeding and field trials facility near Myakka City, Florida. The main attraction was the watermelon trials that include new varieties being tested and introduced into the market. Other trials added great flavor to the day’s tour and discussions, with multiple plots for bell peppers, mature green …
Controlling Bacterial Spot on Tomatoes and Peppers
Alabama Extension wants those growing tomatoes and peppers to be aware of bacterial spot, a common disease on the leaves of those two plants. There are several steps growers can take to control and prevent the disease, which involves using multiple management tactics. Controlling the disease with chemicals alone usually results in failure. Steps growers can take include rotating fields …
Lawmakers Look to Hemp as New Industry While Vegetable Gardens Head to House Floor
With supporters pointing to the potential of a new industry, a House committee Thursday approved a plan for regulating production of hemp. The bill (HB 333), approved by the House State Affairs Committee, would create a regulatory framework that would be administered by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, which is led by Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, a …
Biological Controls for Growers
By Alison DeLoach Integrated pest management is an economic way for growers to control pests. Jim Walgenbach an Extension entomologist at North Carolina State University, studies integrated pest management on tree fruits and vegetable crops. At the 2019 Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference, he discussed research on biological controls for certain pests. When it comes to managing spider mites …
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, …
Pushing Georgia Grown Beyond State Lines
2019 is set to be a year of expansion for the Georgia Department of Agriculture and the Georgia Grown brand. Gary Black, Georgia commissioner of agriculture, is pleased to see his department grow this year. To stretch Georgia Grown beyond the state’s border, two department employees have been moved into different positions. Sarah Cook will serve as the domestic brand …
Rotating Organic Insecticides
Rotating insecticides is key for organic growers. According to Ayanava Majumdar, Extension entomologist with Auburn University, if growers do not rotate their insecticides, they run the risk of harming natural enemies. Majumdar has been testing organic insecticide rotations in Alabama over the past six years. He noticed that using one insecticide did not work very well against high populations of …
Southeastern Growers Kick Off 2019 at Industry-Wide Conference
Every year, the southeastern fruit and vegetable industry starts a new year together at the Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference (SERFVC), and 2019 was no different. Thousands of growers, packers, shippers, industry leaders and educators gathered together in Savannah, Georgia, on Jan. 10–13 at one of the industry’s biggest regional events. Charles Hall, executive director of the Georgia Fruit …
Visit VSCNews at the Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference
VSCNews is excited to return to the Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference (SERFVC) on Jan. 10–13 at the Savannah International Trade & Convention Center in Savannah, Georgia. Each year, SERFVC provides a great opportunity to mingle with fellow industry members and kick off the new year. SERFVC, sponsored by the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA) and the …