Florida Report Looks at Conservation vs. Development Scenarios

Frank GilesAgribusiness, Environment, Urban Sprawl

The University of Florida Center for Landscape Conservation Planning Provides Agriculture 2040/2070 Report is another strong signal of the importance of preserving agriculture and green spaces. Roughly a third of Florida’s land is currently in agriculture, but urban development and, on a much smaller scale, sea level rise are projected to result in the loss of about 120 acres of agricultural land a …

Transparency Needed: Legislators, Industry Leaders Want Clarification with AEWR

Clint ThompsonLabor

By Clint Thompson What started out as good intentions with the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) has evolved into a system disadvantageous to specialty crop producers. That is the mindset shared by Chris Butts, executive director of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA). AEWR was intended to protect domestic workers and their potential opportunities for employment. But since …

Florida Blueberry Producer: Expect Full Bloom Maybe By Saturday

Clint ThompsonBlueberries, Florida

By Clint Thompson One Florida blueberry producer expects full bloom by the end of this week. The timing is comparable to previous years, says Ryan Atwood, who lives in Mount Dora, Florida and farms 56 acres of blueberries and manages another 350 acres. “I’m expecting to be in full bloom maybe by Saturday. There’s no such thing as a typical …

El Niño Aftermath: Florida Strawberry Producers Behind on Volume

Clint ThompsonFlorida, Strawberries

By Clint Thompson Persistent rainy days and cloudy weather in recent weeks have impacted strawberry production in South Florida. Producers like Matt Parke are behind with their volume due to the lack of sunshine in the region. “I’d say 70% of the days have been overcast with no sun since the season started. Production is off, and we’re throwing fruit …

Biden Administration Invests $207 Million in Clean Energy, Domestic Fertilizer Projects

Clint ThompsonUSDA

WASHINGTON, Jan. 22, 2024 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack announced this week that the USDA is investing $207 million in renewable energy and domestic fertilizer projects to lower energy bills, generate new income, create jobs, and strengthen competition for U.S. producers. The announcement was made by Secretary Vilsack at the 105th annual American Farm Bureau Federation …

Specialty Crop Block Grants: ADAI Accepting Applications

Clint ThompsonAlabama

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) is accepting grant applications for projects that enhance the competitiveness of U.S. specialty crops in foreign and domestic markets. The application deadline for these specialty crop block grants through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is March 15, 2024, 5:00 p.m. CST. Specialty crops are defined by USDA …

Nematode Management Vital for Peach Production

Clint ThompsonGeorgia, Peaches, South Carolina

By Clint Thompson Nematode management is essential for peach production in the Southeast. According to Phil Brannen, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension fruit disease specialist, if growers do not control the microscopic pests, it can have severe repercussions for future seasons. “You’ve got to take them into account. If you don’t take nematodes into account, there are several things that …

USDA NASS Conducts Hemp Survey

Clint ThompsonHemp, USDA

Athens, GA – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) sent the Hemp Production and Disposition Inquiry to nearly 1,600 producers across Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina on Monday, Jan. 22. This follows NASS’s 2022 Hemp Acreage and Production survey. Like the 2022 questionnaire, this year’s survey will collect information on the total planted and harvested …

Hemp Meetings Set for Alabama

Clint ThompsonAlabama, Hemp

AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala. – The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) will host four industrial hemp meetings for new and seasoned growers next month. Sonja Thomas, Alabama Extension pesticide safety specialist, said all meetings will follow the same agenda, so growers only need to attend one. “The meeting will be an overview of the 2024 hemp season with changes …