A Year Later: Southwest Florida Recovering from Ian with Help of UF/IFAS Extension

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In the year since Hurricane Ian unleashed its fury on Southwest Florida, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension agents have helped communities in their long road to recovery. What was left in the path of the hurricane’s 150 mph winds and flooding rain? How about damaged crops, eroded beaches, downed trees and power lines, property …

Florida Blueberry Growers Association Fall Conference Taking Place Oct. 25

Web AdminBlueberries, Events

By Clint Thompson Blueberry producers should mark their calendars for Wednesday, Oct. 25, for the annual Florida Blueberry Growers Association Fall Conference and Trade Show at Bonnet Springs Park in Lakeland, Florida. Doug Phillips, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) blueberry Extension coordinator, discussed the significance of the meeting this fall and why producers and industry …

AFVGA Leader: More Research Dollars Needed for Automation in Next Farm Bill

Web AdminAlabama

By Clint Thompson Additional research into automation is essential for the long-term sustainability of specialty crop producers. That’s the mindset shared by Blake Thaxton, executive director of the Alabama Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (AFVGA). He commented on the ongoing Farm Bill negotiations and what the AFVGA would like to see prioritized. “From the fruit and vegetable association side, I …

GFVGA Optimistic New Farm Bill in Place by End of Year

Web AdminFarm Bill, Georgia

By Clint Thompson The Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA) is hopeful a new Farm Bill will be established sooner rather than later. “We’re still optimistic that we may see a bill come out of the Senate and the House this year. As to whether or not they’ll be able to come together as a conference committee and get …

Florida Blueberry Growers Association Fall Conference, Trade Show Scheduled for Oct. 25

Web AdminBlueberries, Florida

By Clint Thompson Blueberry producers should mark their calendars for Wednesday, Oct. 25, for the annual Florida Blueberry Growers Association Fall Conference and Trade Show at Bonnet Springs Park in Lakeland, Florida. Doug Phillips, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) blueberry Extension coordinator, discussed the significance of the meeting this fall and why producers and industry …

UF/IFAS Conducted More Than $300 million in Research for Historic Fiscal Year 2023

Web AdminFlorida, Research

The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) reached a new record for fiscal year 2023 with more than $300 million in research expenditures. This number is up 8% from last year’s $278 million. UF/IFAS is the second-largest contributor to UF’s record-breaking $1.25 billion in research spending for fiscal year 2023, a nearly 15% increase from 2022. …

Tomato Producers Should be Wary of Fungicide Application

Web AdminDisease, Tomatoes

By Clint Thompson Tomato producers applying fungicides should be wary the management tactic could exacerbate bacterial spot disease. Gary Vallad, professor of plant pathology at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, spoke at the Florida Tomato Conference in LaBelle, Florida, last week. He cautioned growers to consider the spray applications they …

Drought Monitor: Dry Weather Expanding, Worsening Across Southeast

Web AdminDrought, Weather

Dry weather is expanding and worsening across the Southeast, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. The driest areas are located along the Southwest Alabama-Northwest Florida region. Extreme drought is observed in parts of Mobile, Escambia, Monrore and Conecuh counties in Alabama. Severe drought is seen in other parts of Mobile, Baldwin, Washington, Clarke, Escambia, Monrore and Conecuh counties. Abnormal drought …