This July 4 should not just be about grilling hamburgers and hot dogs. Vegetables can work just fine on the outdoor grill, says Sandy Proctor, Extension food expert with Kansas State University. She discussed the idea of cooking fresh veggies this holiday season. “I think grilled vegetables are really an opportunity to show what you can do on the grill …
U.S. Drought Monitor: Dry Conditions in North Alabama, Georgia
Rainfall in early-to-mid June has helped alleviate much of the dry conditions experienced across the Southeast, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Only a small portion of the west coast of Florida is abnormally dry. Those counties include Pinellas, Hillsborough, Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte, Lee and a small part of Collier in southern Florida. Alabama’s northern counties are in need of …
Phytophthora a Concern for Georgia Melon Farmers
By Clint Thompson South Georgia watermelon producers should be wary of an uptick in disease pressure following heavy rainfall in recent weeks. University of Georgia Extension vegetable plant pathologist Bhabesh Dutta highlights the two diseases that has his attention and should be the focus of growers moving forward. “Our growers have already been alerted about downy mildew, phytophthora,” Dutta said. …
Disaster Declaration Key for Georgia Peach Producers
By Clint Thompson A natural disaster declaration for 18 Georgia counties by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is vital assistance for peach producers impacted by the mid-March freeze. Chris Butts, executive vice president of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, discussed how important this declaration is for his growers who suffered near 100% loss. “What the declaration does …
USDA Provides Significant Support for American Producers, School Meal Providers and Emergency Food Operations
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the Biden-Harris Administration is providing $2.7 billion to support American farmers, students who participate in school meal programs, and emergency food operations. Through the USDA’s Commodity Credit Corporation, the Department will provide nearly $1.3 billion for states to purchase foods to be distributed to schools for their meal programs and nearly $1 billion for …
CRAFT a Popular Program for Growers
During the Florida Citrus Industry Annual Conference earlier this month, Tamara Wood, executive director of the Citrus Research and Field Trial (CRAFT) Foundation, gave an update on a new phase of the CRAFT program. Started in 2019, CRAFT was initially focused on new plantings. The program helps growers cover the cost of new plantings if they agree to an experimental …
Sneak Peek: July 2023 Specialty Crop Industry Magazine
The July issue of Specialty Crop Industry Magazine highlights WP Rawl, a leading vegetable business in South Carolina that has thrived for nearly 100 years. Ashley Rawl, a third-generation family member and vice president of sales, marketing and product development, talks about the secret to his company’s success. It has had a willingness to adapt to the changing economic climate. …
Central Alabama Strawberry Season: Better Than Average
By Clint Thompson Strawberry season was a success for growers in central Alabama. Weather conditions the last few months allowed for producers to maintain their season longer than normal, said David Lawrence, regional Extension agent in central Alabama. “We finished two or three weeks ago, which is, if you can get into June with strawberries, you’ve done good. We had …
Tomato Suspension Agreement Not Florida vs. Mexico
On June 16, the Florida Tomato Exchange (FTE) filed a request with the Department of Commerce to terminate the Tomato Suspension Agreement. This request was based on established facts and U.S. antidumping law. Days later, the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas (FPAA), a trade group that represents importers of Mexican produce, issued a press release attacking the FTE and wildly mischaracterizing …
U.S. Representatives Introduce Fair Access to Agriculture Disaster Programs Act
U.S. Representatives Jimmy Panetta of California and Kat Cammack of Florida have introduced bipartisan legislation to reduce income barriers that producers face in accessing agriculture disaster assistance. The Fair Access to Agriculture Disaster Programs Act aims to ensure that basic safety-net programs for producers are readily available to help full-time farmers recover following natural disasters. Current adjusted gross income (AGI) limitations disproportionately prohibit producers …