By Clint Thompson Lenny Wells, University of Georgia Extension pecan specialist, believes a recent 85 million-pound estimate of Georgia’s pecan crop this year is not far off, though various factors can still cause that number to decrease or increase by the time harvest season rolls around. The yield estimate of Georgia’s crop was made at the recent Tri-State pecan meeting …
Crop Updates in South 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. Midlands Rob Last Pee Dee Brittney King Upstate Andy Rollins
Free UF/IFAS Workshop to Help Farmers Master Financial Planning
Florida specialty crop growers and aspiring producers should mark their calendars for Aug. 7. The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), in collaboration with Texas A&M and Agricultural Finance, Tax, and Asset Protection, will host a hands-on workshop at the UF/IFAS Extension office in Miami-Dade County in Homestead, Florida. The workshop, titled, “Business Planning and Tax …
Sneak Peek: August 2025 Specialty Crop Grower Magazine
The August issue of Specialty Crop Grower Magazine highlights the announcement that block grants will deliver disaster aid to Florida farmers. Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins visited Florida in July to make the announcement regarding disaster relief which will help growers recover from hurricanes that have impacted the state in recent years. Farm labor remains a trendy topic throughout the specialty …
Wedgworth Leadership Institute Graduates Its 12th Class
Twenty-nine Florida agribusiness leaders graduated from Class XII of the esteemed Wedgworth Leadership Institute for Agriculture and Natural Resources. The Institute is run by the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) and has been developing leaders in Florida since 1991. This milestone marks the successful completion of a rigorous two-year leadership development program designed to prepare …
Looking Back: Alabama Strawberry Season Struggles With Neopestalotiopsis
By Clint Thompson Alabama’s strawberry season could have gone better. The presence of Neopestalotiopsis ensured that Alabama’s crop would not be as successful as growers would have liked. Edgar Vinson, assistant research professor and Extension specialist in the Department of Horticulture at Auburn University, talked about the season and the disappointment felt as a result. Neopestalotiopsis has been a danger …
‘Good Information’ During Summer Blueberry Meetings in Florida
By Clint Thompson Florida’s summer blueberry meetings have come and gone. It was an important series of meetings for growers in the blueberry region, according to Doug Phillips, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) blueberry Extension coordinator. “Polk County and Alachua County were very well attended. We had a really good turnout for both,” Phillips said. …
FDACS Launches Centralized Information Hub for Disaster Block Grant Program
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced this week the launch of a centralized online information hub for the state’s previously announced disaster block grant program for producers impacted by hurricanes in 2023 and 2024. The new webpage — FDACS.gov/BlockGrant — will serve as the official source for updates, eligibility criteria, and application details as they become available. …
Sweet Grown Alabama Day Celebrates Locally Grown
Montgomery, Ala. – Alabamians from across the state came together on Saturday, July 26, to celebrate the bounty and beauty of locally grown products on Sweet Grown Alabama Day. From farmers markets and roadside stands to grocery stores and community events, the day was filled with pride, flavor and support for Alabama’s farmers and fishermen. Sweet Grown Alabama Day served as …
Cold-Hardy Citrus Production: A Learning Process
Production in the cold-hardy citrus region continues to be a learning process for growers. Producers in North Florida, South Georgia and South Alabama are learning this year the price of alternate bearing for their satsuma mandarin crop. After a heavy crop load last season, production is expected to taper off quite a bit this season across the cold-hardy citrus region. …