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SEBRING, Fla. — Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson joined Governor Ron DeSantis, Florida legislative leaders, and agriculture industry champions in Highlands County this week as the 2026 Florida Farm Bill was officially signed into law. Sponsored by Senator Keith Truenow and Representative Danny Alvarez, Senate Bill 290 delivers major victories for Florida’s farmers, ranchers, fishers, families, and rural communities. …
By Clint Thompson Tax relief has been a huge part of this year’s session in the Georgia Legislature. Fuel tax relief was one way the state’s legislators helped Georgians. Another came via state income tax refunds. Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp signed HB 1000 into law on Friday, authorizing the return of almost $1.2 billion in state income tax refunds. The …
By Frank Giles and Clint Thompson The freeze that struck Florida in late January and early February brought the coldest air to the state in more than a decade. Freezing temperatures caused significant damage to specialty crops across the state. In many areas, the frigid temperatures held for hours, exacerbated by high winds that thwarted freeze-protection efforts many growers tried …
By Clint Thompson The Georgia pecan industry is going back to the basics with the University of Georgia Pecan Beginners Class, held in conjunction with the Georgia Pecan Conference this year on March 31 in Perry, Georgia. University of Georgia Extension pecan specialist Lenny Wells highlighted the topics scheduled to be covered in the class, which will be held at …
By Clint Thompson Cold temperatures last week had an adverse effect on recently-planted watermelon plants in North Florida’s Suwanee Valley Region. Growers are determining how to best help their young plants recover. Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, provided advice for producers who are making chemical …
The March 19 release of the U.S. Drought Monitor shows exceptional drought in North Florida and South Georgia, the part of the region that is the driest in the Southeast. Georgia Exceptional drought conditions in South Georgia are located in parts of Grady, Thomas, Brooks, Lowndes and Echols counties, while the remaining region is still suffering through extreme drought conditions. …
By Clint Thompson Last week’s sub-freezing temperatures over multiple days impacted Georgia’s early peach varieties. To what extent remains to be seen, explains Jeff Cook, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension agriculture and natural resources agent for Peach and Taylor counties. “What I saw initially, it’s going to be an impact on some early stuff. It really depends on where you …
By Frank Giles Last month’s cover story featured the potential benefits the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement could have for specialty crop growers. The recommendation to eat “real food,” which includes fruits and vegetables, could improve sales for farmers while benefiting Americans’ health. There’s a lot that is good about MAHA, because it has focused the conversation on how …
By Clint Thompson North Florida watermelon producers should be starting their fungicide applications. Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, emphasized that message during his weekly email to growers in the Suwanee Valley Region. “I’d say we are usually looking for gummy stem blight. That would probably …
By Clint Thompson Economic relief was a focus during last week’s session in the Georgia Legislature. One of the main impacts was seen on Friday when Georgia Governor Brian Kemp signed legislation (HB 1199) which suspends the state’s gas and diesel taxes for 60 days. The suspension was needed amid the conflict in Iran which has led to gas prices …
