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By Clint Thompson Strawberry planting has commenced across southern Florida. Growers have been met with ideal conditions so far, according to one producer. “It’s been great. We’ve had overcast days. It’s great planting weather over here,” said Matt Parke, farm manager of Parkesdale Farms in Plant City, Florida. “We’ve had some misty rains early on, a little bit of rain …
By Clint Thompson One of the largest and most productive blueberry growers in Georgia is concerned about the obstacles that will challenge his ability to remain sustainable in the future. That is why Kevin Eason voices his concerns to those who will listen. He aims to educate legislative leaders about the issues that challenge his sustainability as a farmer. Eason …
By Clint Thompson The current dry weather sweeping through the Southeast is not abnormal for this time of year. It is also not expected to improve anytime soon, says Pam Knox, University of Georgia Extension agricultural climatologist. “The seven-day forecast I looked at (last Thursday night) for rainfall is basically zero for anything that’s north of the border between Georgia …
When Hurricane Idalia barreled through the Big Bend region of Florida, Mike Allen was stuck in Gainesville, watching a beloved facility get slammed by storm surge while The Weather Channel’s Jim Cantore reported from the facility’s second-story patio. Once the rain stopped and the wind subsided after the storm rushed through on Aug. 30, University of Florida Institute of Food …
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson will host two farm bill listening sessions Oct. 9 and Oct. 13. A U.S. Congress member from Florida will be at each session. The sessions will allow Florida’s growers and ranchers to voice recommendations for the 2023 U.S. farm bill and related agricultural issues. The farm bill sets the legal framework for U.S. agricultural …
Drought-like conditions are worsening and spreading across the Southeast, especially in southern Alabama, northern Florida and southwest Georgia. According to Thursday’s release of the U.S. Drought Monitor, extreme and severe drought conditions are being reported in southwest Alabama. The worst conditions are concentrated in Mobile County and in parts of Escambia, Conecuh and Monrore counties. Severe conditions start in Washington …
By Clint Thompson Hurricane Idalia’s financial impact on Florida is less than similar storms that have impacted the state; like Irma (2017) and Ian (2022). But that does not lessen the toll felt by specialty crop producers when the storm moved through North Florida a little less than a month ago. Christa Court, assistant professor in the food and resource economics department and director …
Commissioner Wilton Simpson announced the protection of 13,371 acres of Florida ranchlands through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Rural and Family Lands Protection Program. With approval by the Governor and Cabinet, approximately 13,371 acres of working agricultural lands will be preserved through cost-effective agricultural conservation easements totaling $36,754,000. Agricultural conservation easements prevent future development of the land …
By Frank Giles Florida is one of the fastest growing states in the nation with a population of more than 22 million people. Urban centers like Orlando and the I-4 corridor are expanding into once rural areas. That sometimes creates friction between the farmer and newcomer, but it also creates opportunities and new markets for produce grown on the farm. …
By Peter Chaires Each year, the citrus breeding teams provide opportunities for interested parties to sample fruit from new and recent selections. This is a great opportunity to keep current on the results of this research. Some of these events also include field tours and opportunities to see the trees. A significant effort is being made to accelerate the identification …
