Sen. Ossoff Introducing Legislation to Cut Taxes for Farmers

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff is introducing legislation to cut taxes for Georgia farmers. Sen. Ossoff introduced the Farm Disaster Tax Cut Act this week to provide eligible farmers with a tax cut after natural disasters, revenue losses or pest outbreaks. The bill would exclude crop insurance indemnity payments, which are made to farmers after they face qualified …

Clemson Extension Agents Provide Crop Updates

Clint ThompsonSouth Carolina

Weekly Field Update Clemson Extension agents provide updates in The South Carolina Grower this week about the status of various crops being produced throughout the state. Lowcountry Report Anna Sara Hill Zack Snipes Midlands Report Rob Last Daniel Lyon Pee Dee Report Brad Fowler Upstate Report Andy Rollins

Annual Conference Highlights Impact of Alabama Extension Master Gardener Volunteers

Clint ThompsonAlabama

AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala.—The Alabama Cooperative Extension System and the Alabama Master Gardeners Association recently welcomed hundreds of volunteers and horticulture educators to Huntsville, Ala., for the 2026 Alabama Master Gardeners Association Annual Conference. Hosted by the Master Gardener associations of Limestone, Madison and Morgan counties, the event highlighted the important role of Extension Master Gardener volunteers as Extension educators. Kerry …

Active Pathogens in North Florida’s Watermelon Region

Clint ThompsonFlorida

Watermelon growers in the Suwanee Valley Region of North Florida must be mindful of potential pathogens that could spark devastating diseases and prematurely end production seasons. Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, noted several disease pathogens in his weekly email. It is important to monitor your …

Rep. Austin Scott Leads House Letter Urging Action on Mexican Specialty Crop Imports

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

Washington, D.C— U.S. Representative Austin Scott (GA-08) led a bipartisan group of 79 members of the U.S. House of Representatives in sending a letter to United States Trade Representative (USTR) Ambassador Jamieson Greer this week to emphasize the importance of fair trade measures for the U.S. specialty crop industry. “America’s growers and producers are the best in the world. Current …

Dry Weather Leads to Strong Strawberry Crop

Clint ThompsonAlabama

By Clint Thompson Alabama’s strawberry production thrived this year, mostly because weather conditions were ripe for a successful crop. Strawberry producer and Alabama Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association President Taylor Hatchett talked about her crop which flourished amid prolonged dry conditions. “For the most part it’s been fairly dry, and the strawberries really do great with drier conditions,” Hatchett said. …

crop

Cold-Hardy Citrus Crop Looks ‘Loaded’ for Upcoming Season

Dan CooperCold Hardy, Production

While still early in the production season, growers in the cold-hardy citrus region are optimistic for a bumper crop this year. That optimism comes despite a mid-March freeze and prolonged drought that impacted all of the Southeast but was especially dire in South Georgia, North Florida and South Alabama. Lindy Savelle, executive director of the Georgia Citrus Association, discussed the …

USMCA

FFVA Advocating for TRQs in USMCA

Clint ThompsonUncategorized

By Clint Thompson A joint review of the USMCA is a little more than two months away. The Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association (FFVA) is hopeful that timely assistance be provided for its specialty crop growers. FFVA President Mike Joyner spoke during the recent University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Agricultural Policy Outlook Conference. He highlighted how …

Cargo ships docked at Saigon port with containers and city skyline

USDA Official: Trade Relationship with Vietnam is Lopsided

Clint ThompsonTrade

By Clint Thompson and Dale Sandlin The U.S. trade deficit with Vietnam was more than $178 billion in 2025. That’s “unacceptable” for President Trump and his administration. More American goods need to be exported to Vietnam, and that includes agricultural crops. In an interview with AgNet Media, Luke Lindberg, Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs at the U.S. …

Florida Tomato Field Day Scheduled for May 26

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Clint Thompson Florida tomato farmers and industry leaders should mark their calendars for this month’s Tomato Field Day, scheduled for Tuesday, May 26, at the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center (GCREC) in Wimauma, Florida. Multiple University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) scientists will present research pertinent to the tomato industry. Tomato breeder Jessica Chitwood-Brown …