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By Clint Thompson The specialty crop industry scored a recent victory when the House of Representatives approved H.R. 7567, the Farm, Food and National Security Act of 2026. The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance (SCFBA) is now putting the full-court press on the Senate to pass the farm bill as well. Kam Quarles, CEO of the National Potato Council and …
By Clint Thompson The future of the American family farm is very much up in the air. More and more farms are closing up shop, while more and more agricultural lands are being used for anything besides agriculture. That’s concerning for industry leader Stanley Culpepper. Culpepper, a University of Georgia Extension weed specialist, spoke at the recent Southeastern Specialty Crop …
By Clint Thompson Adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in agriculture is not a foregone conclusion. Despite the technology’s perceived effectiveness in making crop production more efficient, the associated costs are still too high for farmers. “Right now, a lot of these technologies come with huge price tags for just the cost of purchasing the equipment,” said Lynn Sosnoskie, assistant professor …
By Clint Thompson Watermelon harvests have started across the Suwanee Valley Region of North Florida. Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, pointed out in his weekly email that harvesting has begun across multiple farms. “I think by the time we get to the end of the …
By Clint Thompson A prolonged dry period in recent months across the Southeast meant unfavorable weather conditions for bacterial spot disease to flourish in peach orchards. But that doesn’t mean growers should let their guard down with trying to keep the disease from impacting the crop like it did in 2025. “Yes, drier is much better,” said Phil Brannen, University …
By Clint Thompson The Georgia/Florida Irrigation Expo is slated for Wednesday, June 10 at the University of Georgia (UGA) Vidalia Onion and Vegetable Research Center in Lyons, Georgia. The UGA and University of Florida (UF) Extension Services are partnering with local RC&D councils and Soil & Water Conservation Districts to host the expo with a focus on irrigation. Cale Cloud, …
The May 14 release of the U.S. Drought Monitor shows exceptional drought and extreme drought conditions still prevalent across areas in the Southeast. The driest area remains in South Georgia, North Florida and Southeast Alabama. Georgia Exceptional drought in Georgia starts in the southwest corner of the state in Decatur County. It expands eastward to Charlton and Camden counties and …
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff is introducing legislation to cut taxes for Georgia farmers. Sen. Ossoff introduced the Farm Disaster Tax Cut Act this week to provide eligible farmers with a tax cut after natural disasters, revenue losses or pest outbreaks. The bill would exclude crop insurance indemnity payments, which are made to farmers after they face qualified …
Weekly Field Update Clemson Extension agents provide updates in The South Carolina Grower this week about the status of various crops being produced throughout the state. Lowcountry Report Anna Sara Hill Zack Snipes Midlands Report Rob Last Daniel Lyon Pee Dee Report Brad Fowler Upstate Report Andy Rollins
AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala.—The Alabama Cooperative Extension System and the Alabama Master Gardeners Association recently welcomed hundreds of volunteers and horticulture educators to Huntsville, Ala., for the 2026 Alabama Master Gardeners Association Annual Conference. Hosted by the Master Gardener associations of Limestone, Madison and Morgan counties, the event highlighted the important role of Extension Master Gardener volunteers as Extension educators. Kerry …
