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By Clint Thompson The Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference was bigger and better this year. Approximately 3,500 attendees and exhibitors flocked to Savannah, Georgia, this past weekend to learn about the latest trends and production practices impacting the different commodities being produced across the region. Chris Butts, executive director of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA), talked …
By Frank Giles With the start of the new year, many key specialty crops are already in full production with more to follow as spring arrives. Now is a good time to reinforce food-safety protocols on the farm from top to bottom, regardless of operation size. In 2025, there were only three multi-state foodborne illness outbreaks related to non-sprout produce …
By Clint Thompson It is the time of the year when Southeast grape producers are pruning their vines in preparation for a productive 2026 season. But there are management tips that growers must be mindful of before starting the pruning process. Sarah Lowder, University of Georgia (UGA) viticulture Extension specialist, discussed pruning in an interview with AgNet Media. “They want …
Cold-hardy citrus in the Southeast endured sub-freezing temperatures in mid-December, the second major freeze to impact the region this season. Mary Sutton, University of Georgia (UGA) assistant professor and citrus Extension specialist, discussed how this freeze impacted citrus trees and fruit in North Florida, South Georgia and South Alabama. “We’re seeing some damage on younger trees that were probably planted …
By Clint Thompson Specialty crop growers using the H-2A program for a reliable labor force, must now put July 1 on their calendars as an important date for their farming operations. As opposed to Jan. 1 when the adverse effect wage rate (AEWR) could spike under the old Farm Labor Survey (FLS), AEWR changes could now happen mid-season under the …
(Washington, D.C.) – As committed to under the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Farm Security Action Plan (PDF, 1.2 MB) U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins has announced a number of coordinated actions that emphasize American agricultural research and innovation by ensuring ideas stay in America or among our allies, not with hostile nations. These historic actions strengthen …
By Clint Thompson Georgia peach growers will be interested to know that current chill hours throughout the state remain on par with previous years, according to the UGA Weather Network. In Byron, Georgia, located in the central part of the state, there were 437.5 chill hours recorded from Nov. 1, 2025, to Jan. 5, compared to 420.25 last year and …
By Clint Thompson The Alabama Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (AFVGA) Annual Conference and Trade Show is about a month away for industry enthusiasts and specialty crop growers in the region. Those interested in attending should remember that regular registration will end Jan. 19. The cost for regular registration is $225. The last day to cancel and receive a refund …
By Clint Thompson The emergence of neopestalotiopsis disease in Southeast strawberries has forced growers to manage their crops differently compared to previous years. Take Florida producer Dustin Grooms for instance. Grooms, who grows strawberries with Fancy Farms in Plant City, Florida, had to recently consider the disease’s impact against managing the crop amid plunging temperatures. “We had some cold weather …
Drought remains prevalent across the Southeast region, according to the Dec. 31 release of the U.S. Drought Monitor. Moderate drought encompasses most of Alabama and Georgia and all of North Florida and into the southern part of the state. Some areas are experiencing worse conditions. Georgia Extreme conditions are observed in South Georgia, in parts of Decatur, Grady, Thomas and …
