By Clint Thompson The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance (SCFBA) was thrilled to see many of its recommendations included in the U.S. House Agriculture Committee’s passage of the farm bill last week. But Kam Quarles, CEO of the National Potato Council and co-chair of the SCFBA, remains grounded in his excitement. He understands it is a long process from now …
U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council Awarded $1.3 Million from Regional Ag Promotion Program
The U.S. Highbush Council (USHBC) has been awarded $1.3 million from the U.S. Department of Food and Agriculture’s Regional Agricultural Promotion Program (RAPP) to expand export opportunities for domestic blueberries. “We applaud Secretary Tom Vilsack, Undersecretary Alexis Taylor and the Senate Agriculture Committee for their visionary leadership in creating the RAPP program,” said Kasey Cronquist, president of USHBC. “Their support …
UF/IFAS Scientists Find New Way to Keep Broccoli Fresher, Longer
When consumers go to the grocery store, they want their produce, including broccoli, to look, feel and taste fresh. This desire compels University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) researcher Tie Liu to study ways to keep vegetables fresh. Liu and his colleagues studied in newly published research the physiological and molecular mechanisms of two treatments: 1-Methylcyclopropene …
USHBC Awarded $1.3 Million from Regional Agricultural Promotion Program
The U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHB) was awarded $1.3 million from the U.S. Department of Food and Agriculture’s Regional Agricultural Promotion Program (RAPP) to expand export opportunities for domestic blueberries. “We applaud Secretary Tom Vilsack, Undersecretary Alexis Taylor, and the Senate Agriculture Committee for their visionary leadership in creating the RAPP program,” said Kasey Cronquist, president of USHBC. “Their support …
Specialty Crop Industry Applauds Farm Bill Moving Forward
WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 24, 2024) – The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance (SCFBA) has released the following statement following the U.S. House Agriculture Committee’s passage of the farm bill: “We thank Chairman Thompson and his staff for including so many investments for specialty crops in his bill, as well as the countless Democrats and Republicans on the House Agriculture Committee …
Registration Open for Citrus and Specialty Crop Expo
By Clint Thompson Registration is officially open for this year’s Citrus and Specialty Crop Expo, scheduled for Aug. 21-22 at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa, Florida. The two-day event, hosted by AgNet Media, provides vital information for both the citrus and specialty crop industries, while also allowing attendees to interact with tradeshow vendors that will be in attendance. Josh …
Tarnished Plant Bug’s Impact in Alabama Strawberries
By Clint Thompson Tarnished plant bugs have impacted Alabama’s strawberry crop this season. Growers’ success in managing the pest in the future will depend on scouting, says David Lawrence, regional Extension agent in central Alabama. “Especially the growers that have seen them this year, they need to mark that date on their calendars of when they saw it, and the …
Pests in Disguise: Georgia Helping Farmers Hurt by Feral Hogs, Deer
Agricultural pests are sometimes disguised as animals looking for food sources. Unfortunately for producers in Georgia, that food source will often be their crops. Georgia’s legislative leaders are arming state agencies with substantial funding in next year’s budget to tackle this substantial problem. Included was $150,000 directed to the Georgia Department of Agriculture for the Feral Hog Task Force and …
USDA NASS: Update on Pecan Acreage, Price
By Clint Thompson Georgia’s bearing pecan acres continues to increase, though its yield per acre dropped in 2023, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). Georgia’s acreage has increased from 139,000 acres in 2021, to 146,000 acres in 2022 and 148,000 acres in 2023. However, its yields per acre dropped from 898 pounds in …
N.C. Ag Economic Impact Jumps to $111.1 Billion
RALEIGH – The economic impact of North Carolina’s agriculture and agribusiness industry jumped to $111.1 billion, posting a second straight year of strong growth at nearly $8 billion, according to Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “With last year’s increase of $10 billion, that represents over $18 billion in growth since 2022 when we were coming out of a pandemic and some …



















