By Clint Thompson The lack of rain in recent weeks has led to drought conditions worsening across the Southeast, according to the Sept. 11 release of the U.S. Drought Monitor. Abnormally dry conditions in Alabama start in the southwest part of the state in Mobile and Baldwin counties and expand northward to Colbert and Lauderdale counties. Severe and moderate drought …
NCDA&CS Opens Application Period for Grants to Support Value-Added Processing of Ag Commodities
RALEIGH (N.C.) – Applications are now being accepted for the North Carolina Agriculture Manufacturing and Processing Initiative (NCAMPI), a program designed to strengthen the state’s food and fiber supply chain. This initiative supports the growth and modernization of agricultural manufacturing and processing capacity across North Carolina, with special guidance in place for businesses impacted by Hurricane Helene. The NCAMPI program …
Let the Plantings Begin: Vidalia Onion Producers Cautiously Optimistic
By Clint Thompson This year’s Vidalia onion season is underway as seedbeds are currently being planted in Southeast Georgia. Chris Tyson, University of Georgia Extension area onion agent at the Vidalia Onion & Vegetable Research Center in Lyons, Georgia, talked about his growers’ mindsets and the industry’s outlook heading into the fall, especially following season’s challenges that included Hurricane Helene …
Low Input Research Trial: Pecan Varieties Still Require Minimal Fungicide Sprays
By Clint Thompson Low input pecan varieties does not imply zero fungicide applications for scab disease. It means minimal sprays for scab-resistant varieties. Lenny Wells, University of Georgia Extension pecan specialist, highlighted his research into low input varieties like Lakota, Excel and McMillan during the Georgia Pecan Growers Association Fall Field Day on Sept. 4 at the UGA Ponder Farm …
Canopy Management Needed for Cold-Hardy Citrus
Pruning may help cold-hardy producers salvage their satsuma crop from one year to the next and not endure extreme alternate bearing cycles. “Pruning in the heavy year may help alleviate that alternate bearing pattern. But we still have to do the research to support that,” said Mary Sutton, University of Georgia (UGA) assistant professor and citrus Extension specialist. While pruning …
Farm to School Grants Supporting Producers, Children
(Washington, D.C.) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is delivering on its commitment to support child health and American agriculture by opening applications for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grants. Through this grant opportunity, USDA will invest up to $18 million in farm to school projects that connect farmers to USDA’s child nutrition programs …
South Carolina Farmers, Homeowners Can Dispose of Waste Pesticides on Sept. 16
COLUMBIA – The South Carolina Department of Agriculture (SCDA) is offering the opportunity to safely dispose of outdated, unusable, or unwanted pesticides at an upcoming event. It is scheduled for: September 16, 2025 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Carolina Fresh Farms 1335 E Pine Log Rd Aiken, South Carolina 29803 The pesticide and chemical program is only open to farmers and homeowners. …
Spray Now for Black Pecan Aphids
By Clint Thompson Pecan harvest season is just around the corner for growers in Georgia and Alabama. That does not mean that producers should be complete with their management programs. One pest that producers must be wary of this time of year is the black pecan aphids. Its presence in orchards this season makes it a threat to a promising …
Plan Ahead with Whitefly Management
By Clint Thompson Vegetable growers must plan ahead when managing whiteflies. It starts before the season even begins; really, even before the prior season ends, explains grower Elizabeth Malek with Lipman Farms. She spoke about whitefly management during a panel discussion at the Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo in Tampa, Florida. “You have to think about the start of your …
Phytophthora Root Rot a Concern in Cold-Hardy Region
Phytophthora root rot’s impact on young citrus trees is concerning for groves in the cold-hardy citrus region of North Florida, South Georgia and South Alabama. Newly planted trees are more vulnerable to the disease than older, established trees, says Jonathan Oliver, University of Georgia assistant professor and small fruits pathologist. He discussed the disease’s impact during the Citrus Grower’s Summer …



















