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By Clint Thompson Spencer McLeod did not set out to be one of the largest peach producers in the Southeast. It just happened that way. “I don’t necessarily want to be the biggest grower and I don’t want to be the smallest grower, but I want to be the best grower,” McLeod said. Producing a Plethora of Peaches McLeod has …
By Clint Thompson The House Agriculture Committee passed its version of the farm bill before Memorial Day. But now what? What’s the next step in the process of moving towards a final piece of legislation, hopefully, before the end of the year? Kam Quarles, CEO of the National Potato Council and co-chair of the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance (SCFBA), …
The cover story of the June issue of Specialty Crop Grower Magazine highlights Spencer McLeod’s pursuit to be the best peach grower in South Carolina. He talks about how his farming operation has expanded to cover 50 different peach varieties and more than 1,000 acres every year. Speaking of peaches, brown rot disease is an annual challenge for peach producers …
By Clint Thompson It is amazing how the absence of a late-season freeze event will impact strawberry plants in Alabama. For producer Taylor Hatchett, it meant all the difference in this year’s crop. “It’s a thousand times better than last year. It was very unusual in that, normally you start small with your harvests, then get up to your maximum …
Greenhouse bell pepper and tomato imports increased in 2023, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service Situation and Outlook Report. The U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census reported organic and greenhouse trade for some vegetables and pulse crops. Some of the highlights included: Greenhouse bell pepper import volume was up 6.2 million pounds, 1% higher …
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. Statewide Tom Bilbo, Extension Entomologist Pickleworms have arrived in Charleston already. Keep a look out to protect your cucurbits, especially your cucumbers and summer squash, which they prefer. But they can also be damaging …
By Clint Thompson Increased rainfall in recent weeks has made the peach crop across the Southeast susceptible to disease buildup. According to Phil Brannen, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension fruit disease specialist, it has been one disease that is of most concern. “Generally, the crop is excellent. We’ve got a big crop. Hopefully, we can carry a high percentage of …
By Clint Thompson The National Labor Relations Act excludes farm workers from federal protections, which forbids an employer from firing a worker for joining, organizing or supporting a labor union. It is a piece of legislation upheld by the Supreme Court in 2021, citing the 5th and 14th Amendments. So why is the Department of Labor implementing a final rule …
The 2024 Peach Field Day will be held Tuesday, July 16, at the Sandhills Research Station in Jackson Springs, North Carolina, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The event is free and open to growers and anyone interested in learning more about producing peaches and the peach industry in North Carolina. Specialists from North Carolina State University as well as …
This is the first in a two-part series about DOL’s Final Rule By Clint Thompson To say that Michael Marsh, president and chief executive officer of the National Council of Agricultural Employers, is upset by a new H-2A rule implemented by the Department of Labor (DOL) would be an understatement. The agriculture leader is infuriated by the recent announcement and …
