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Georgia’s citrus industry is growing and so are the diverse varieties producers are planting every year. Jake Price, University of Georgia citrus agent, said at the Citrus Grower’s Summer Update meeting last week in Valdosta that there were 4,400 citrus acres planted in South Georgia. At approximately 145 trees per acre, this equates to about 638,000 trees. What started out …
Specialty crop producers wishing to comment on the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) heat-related work standard have until Dec. 30 to submit a comment to the Notice of proposed rulemaking. According to the notice, which was published in the Federal Register, the Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Outdoor and Indoor Work Settings would apply to all employers conducting …
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced an investment of nearly $121 million to advance research and Extension activities that aim to solve key challenges facing specialty crop and organic agriculture producers. The investment includes $70.4 million to support specialty crop production research across the United States and $50.5 million to support farmers and ranchers who grow and …
By Frank Giles Watermelon production is big business in the Southeast. Florida and Georgia rank No. 1 and No. 2 in production, respectively. According to U.S. Department of Agriculture data, the two states produce half the commercial production in the country. For growers, the fungal disease fusarium wilt can be the worst problem encountered annually. The fungus can be seedborne, …
By Clint Thompson Increased rainfall in recent weeks not only provided much needed relief from the prolonged drought across the Southeast, it boosted the region’s pecan crop, just weeks before the start of harvest season. Lenny Wells, University of Georgia Extension pecan specialist, discussed how additional moisture has impacted the region’s pecan trees. “We had been terribly hot and dry …
By Clint Thompson The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance (SCFBA) is a collaborative effort of more than 200 specialty crop organizations looking out for the best interests of producers in the ongoing farm bill negotiations. Tori Rumenik, director of commodity services and supply chain at the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association (FFVA), discussed the SCFBA’s role in ensuring the specialty …
Florida blueberry management is a year-round job for the state’s growers. The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) provides producers with reminders about what management options they need to remember for September. Producers should be actively scouting for algal stem blotch as well as monitor and manage leaf diseases. On farms where there is active management …
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) $495,000 to fund projects that strengthen Alabama’s specialty crop industry through the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP). The program will fund 12 projects to enhance competitiveness of specialty crop growers by using marketing, education and research for Alabama’s specialty crop …
By Clint Thompson Growing up in Cordele, Georgia, the “Watermelon Capital of the World,” Jordan Carter never imagined working in agriculture and being a voice for watermelon growers across the Southeast. She was, after all, selling insurance as recently as 2013 before joining Leger & Son as director of sales and marketing. Eleven years later, she is the vice president …
There is a hint of fall in the air, and that means Florida farms are preparing to open their gates for fun. In addition to family fun, many farms offer hands-on educational demonstrations and farm product tastings as part of their agritourism events and tours. When you support a family farm who hosts agritourism activities, you help to ensure that …
