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The July issue of Specialty Crop Grower Magazine puts Paul Orsenigo, founder of Grower’s Management Inc. in the spotlight. Unlike multigenerational farm families, Orsenigo is a first-generation farmer in the Everglades Agricultural Area in Florida. He produces a variety of leafy greens, sweet corn, sugar cane and rice. He discusses his humble beginnings, and they evolved into a 40-year journey …
By Clint Thompson Consistent rains in May and early June have Alabama vegetable growers concerned about disease development in this year’s crops. Ed Sikora, professor and Extension plant pathologist in the department of entomology and plant pathology at Auburn University, noted in an Alabama Extension blog that certain diseases like early blight on tomatoes, bacterial spot on tomatoes and peppers …
By Clint Thompson Nut set in the Hurricane Helene-damaged pecan areas in East Georgia has been better than expected. Lenny Wells, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension pecan specialist, made the proclamation in the UGA Extension Pecan Blog in an early assessment of this season’s crop. After the hurricane devastated the region, the outlook for the crop was not great heading …
If you eat fruits or vegetables, how often do you think about their history? Former University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) post-doctoral researcher Zhen Fan did, as he traced the strawberry back over centuries. In a new paper published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Fan, now a faculty member at Zhejiang Agriculture and …
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division announced it is suspending enforcement of the 2024 farmworker rule. The decision provides much-needed clarity for specialty crop producers navigating the H-2A program. As multiple federal court injunctions have created significant legal uncertainty, inconsistency, and operational challenges for farmers lawfully employing H-2A workers, this field assistance bulletin clarifies that …
Montgomery, Ala. – Sweet Grown Alabama brought fresh, local flavor to Montgomery with a special pop-up farmers market on Wednesday, held in conjunction with the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries’ 22nd Annual Tomato Sandwich Lunch at the Ed Teague Arena. This marks the fifth consecutive year a farmers market has been a part of the beloved summer tradition. The pop-up …
By Clint Thompson Persistent rainfall in the Southeast means added moisture for the region’s pecan trees. It also means increased risk of scab disease, especially in trees that are more susceptible than others. Lenny Wells, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension pecan specialist, discussed the dangers of consistent rainfall. “If (the rains) come in the afternoon and the trees stay wet …
By Brett Bultemeier EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the second in a series of two articles on pesticide label changes related to the Endangered Species Act. In the May issue of Specialty Crop Grower, “Endangered Species Act compliance for herbicide application” discussed the need to check your points related to erosion and runoff. If you haven’t read that article, go back …
By Clint Thompson Timing is critical for water needs for next season’s citrus crops across the Southeast. Much of the groves in the cold-hardy citrus region of North Florida, South Georgia and South Alabama are receiving their share of rainfall. But others are not. It is why producers need to remain diligent in applying water to their trees, says Mary …
By Clint Thompson Fruit and vegetable production will be under the spotlight during this year’s Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo, scheduled for Aug. 20-21 at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa, Florida. There are no shortage of topics impacting growers across the Southeast, including Florida, South Georgia and South Alabama. They’ll be discussed during a panel discussion featuring leaders from …
