By Clint Thompson The Florida Citrus Show on Thursday provided attendees a fun, informative day to learn about citrus and specialty crops while engaging with exhibitors during the tailgate style format; all happening in Fort Pierce, Florida. Attendees flocked to South Florida to learn about how different trends are impacting the citrus and specialty crop industries through the various seminar …
U.S. and Mexico: Preliminary USMCA Discussions Set to Begin Week of March 16
Two of the three countries in the USMCA agreement announced last week their intentions to begin talks the week of March 16 ahead of a review of the free trade agreement. U.S Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer and Mexican Secretary of Economy Marcelo Ebrard announced the first round of bilateral discussions in preparation for the Joint Review of the United …
Southeast Alabama Strawberry Producers ‘Cautiously Optimistic’
By Clint Thompson Strawberries are nearing harvest season in Southeast Alabama. Neil Kelly, Alabama regional Extension agent in Southeast Alabama, provided an update on the current season and what growers are doing now in preparations for harvest time. “What we’re trying to do right now is stick all of our blooms from this point forward. We start at the middle …
Alternatives to Copper Needed for Citrus Canker Management
Florida citrus producers have long used copper as a way to protect against citrus canker. However, it’s time for growers to have other options. That’s a message shared by Ozgur Batuman, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) associate professor and citrus pathologist at the Southwest Florida Research and Education Center in Immokalee. He spoke on this …
Rainfall Needed: North Florida Watermelon Plantings Begin Amid Extreme Drought
By Clint Thompson North Florida watermelon plantings have commenced in the Suwanee Valley. Water is a key resource in helping the plants grow over the next couple of months. Rain would be beneficial. Not much is expected, however, in the near future, explains Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in …
Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: Ag Interests Eye Truck Driver Rules
By Frank Giles Recent high-profile stories of tragic accidents involving truck drivers who are not citizens of the United States have heated up the immigration debate. In August, a truck driver made an illegal U-turn on Florida’s Turnpike resulting in an accident that took three people’s lives. The driver obtained a commercial driver’s license in California and Washington, despite having …
Vidalia Onion Field Day Scheduled for April 2
Georgia Vidalia onion producers should mark their calendars for Thursday, April 2, for the Vidalia Onion Field Day. It is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the University of Georgia (UGA) Vidalia Onion and Vegetable Research Center in Lyons, Georgia. Attendees will hear about the latest variety trials, learn about research pertaining to disease management, fertility trials, precision …
Diversification Taking Root in Georgia Citrus
The Georgia Citrus Association celebrated its 10th anniversary at its recent annual meeting. Much has changed in the industry over the past decade, specifically how growers have diversified their production to include more than just satsuma mandarins. “The industry was initially built on satsumas, being that they’re cold hardy, so that is still the majority of the varieties in Georgia,” …
U.S. Horticulture Operations Report $18.3 Billion in Sales
(Washington, D.C., February 26, 2026) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) recently released the 2024 Census of Horticultural Specialties report. The data show that horticulture operations sold a total of $18.3 billion in floriculture, nursery and specialty crops in 2024. Horticultural sales in 2024 compared to 2019 show an increase in sales and number of …
Updating Freeze Protection Metrics for Florida Blueberry
The Florida Blueberry Growers Association hosted its annual spring meeting and field day at the Plant Science Research and Education Unit in Citra, Florida, in early March. The day featured presentations from the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) and a tour of blueberry trials at the facility. A variety of production topics were covered during …



















