University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) researchers have found ethyl vanillin — an aroma compound in many artificial vanilla-flavored food products — in a UF/IFAS-bred strawberry. This is a key finding for the food and beverage industry and for the UF/IFAS strawberry breeding program. Vanilla beans contain the character-impact compound vanillin, which imparts vanilla flavor. Ethyl …
Agriculture Future of America Hosts 2023 Leaders Conference
By Maegan Beatty In November, over 800 undergraduate students from across the nation gathered in Kansas City, Missouri, to attend the 2023 Agriculture Future of America (AFA) Leaders Conference. AFA is a nonprofit organization that works to provide professional development opportunities for students studying agriculture, life sciences and natural resources. Every November, AFA hosts a Leaders Conference to give students …
Christmas Tree Grower: Weather Events Led to Challenging Production Season
By Clint Thompson Weather events last Christmas and this fall have made Christmas tree production difficult this year, according to one Alabama producer. “The production was a challenge. That’s my best word, and I think I’m probably speaking for every Christmas tree grower in our neck of the woods, in this part of the Southeast,” said Steve Mannard, with Fish …
AFBF Applauds Passage of Stopgap Spending Bill
American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) President Zippy Duvall commented last week on the passage of a stopgap spending bill by both the House of Representatives and Senate, which includes a one-year extension of the 2018 farm bill. Farm Bureau sent a letter to all members of Congress Tuesday urging passage of the continuing resolution. “We are grateful Congress passed a …
Clemson Extension Agents Provide Crop Updates
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. Coastal Region Zack Snipes Midlands Phillip Carnley Rob Last
Stringent H-2A Program Regulations Put Pressure on Producers to Stay Compliant
By Clint Thompson Domestic labor is all but a non-existent option for specialty crop producers. Industry leaders want congressional leaders to understand that reality and the added importance of the H-2A program. Michael Marsh, president and chief executive officer of the National Council of Agricultural Employers, spoke about the current labor crisis at the Georgia Agricultural Labor Relations Forum last …
USDA Announces Planned Trade Missions for ’24
WASHINGTON – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced last week the next steps in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s efforts to bolster U.S. agricultural trade, including the department’s planned trade missions for 2024 and the opening of a public comment period for the new Regional Agricultural Promotion Program (RAPP). These efforts will help to support further growth in agricultural exports and …
Enjoy Florida-Grown Foods At Thanksgiving
When you’re giving thanks this Thanksgiving, consider that much of your food grew in the Sunshine State, say University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) experts. Those edibles include corn, potatoes, pumpkins, sweet potatoes, lettuce and tomatoes. Like many of us, Nelly Nelson, family and consumer sciences agent for UF/IFAS Extension Manatee County, said she and her …
FLSP Application Deadline Extended
Southeast specialty crop producers should be mindful that the application deadline for the Farm Labor Stabilization and Protection Pilot Program (FLSP) has been extended. Applications now must be submitted by Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024. The pilot grant program is awarding up to $65 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding to support agricultural employers in implementing robust labor standards that …
Planning Pointers for Cold-Hardy Citrus Production
Crop planning is an essential part of the citrus production process. What are you going to grow? Where are you going to market? How are you going to overcome HLB (huanglongbing or citrus greening)? John Chater, assistant professor at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus Research and Education Center, discussed the different factors that …