Climatologist Perspective: Quickly Developing Storms More Likely Than Those from Africa

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Clint Thompson The decreased chance for a hurricane this year does not mean one won’t happen. In fact, there is an increased chance for a pop-up storm to occur in this scenario, according to Pam Knox, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension agricultural climatologist. “What some of the consequences that they’re starting to talk a little bit now are with …

Lobbyist Updates Growers About Key Legislative Issues at Peanut Conference

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Clint Thompson Last week’s Southern Peanut Growers Conference provided growers an opportunity to hear about various topics impacting the agricultural industry. One of the sessions focused on legislative issues. Bob Redding, who works for the Redding Firm and serves as a lobbyist for agricultural groups in Washington D.C., attended the three-day conference and provided attendees with an update on …

Sneak Peek: August 2026 Specialty Crop Grower Magazine

Clint ThompsonFlorida, Georgia

In this month’s sneak peek, the August issue of Specialty Crop Grower Magazine highlights the skyrocketing input costs that are impacting day-to-day farming operations. Various growers across the Southeast spoke up about the costs, relating to diesel, fertilizer and pesticide use. Those growers included Kent Hamilton and Jessica Kirk from Georgia and Tony DiMare from Florida, who said he has …

Drought Update Across Southeast Region

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Clint Thompson Drought-like conditions continue to decrease across the Southeast, according to the July 23 release of the U.S. Drought Monitor. Florida In Florida, extreme conditions still persist in the northern part of the state, though the western counties in the Florida Panhandle, including Escambia, Santa Rose, Okaloosa, Walton and Holmes, have sufficient moisture. Extreme conditions have been reduced …

Florida Tomato Conference Set for Sept. 10, 17

Clint ThompsonFlorida

Florida tomato farmers and industry specialists should mark their calendars for the Florida Tomato Conference, scheduled for Sept. 10 and Sept. 17. The conference will start with the Food Safety Workshop/T-Gap Renewal on Thursday, Sept. 10, scheduled from noon to 5 p.m. at the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center in Wimauma, Florida.Click here to register. Registration for the Food …

Vidalia Onion Update Scheduled for Aug. 20

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

Vidalia onion producers and industry leaders should mark their calendars for next month’s Vidalia Onion Update, scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 20, at the Vidalia Onion and Vegetable Research Center in Lyons, Georgia. The event will start at 10 a.m. and conclude at noon. The agenda for the event will include talks on variety evaluation, disease management, a precision agriculture update …

Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: Technology Conference Takes Glimpse Into the Future

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson Artificial intelligence (AI) continues to enhance the agricultural landscape. How specialty crop producers farm today may look different from how they farm five years from now. The potential future of specialty crop production in the Southeast was on display during the Southeastern Specialty Crop Technology Conference & Show in Tifton, Georgia, in early May. Ag companies and …

Specialty Crop Seminars Cover Wide Range of Topics

Web AdminCitrus and Specialty Crop Expo

This year’s Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo has a lot to offer vegetable producers. A session on pest management will cover challenges growers face in fields, including whitefly, thrips, pepper weevil and more. Talks will be given on whitefly-transmitted viruses. A presentation on nematode management with reduce-risk nematicides and cover crops will be given during the pest management session. Speakers …

Florida Ag Labor Relations Forum Registration Deadline is July 31

Clint ThompsonFlorida

Florida fruit and vegetable farmers are reminded that registration for the 52nd annual Agricultural Labor Relations Forum will close on Friday, July 31. The Florida Specialty Crop Foundation presents the forum every year, which is slated for Aug. 12-14 at the Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort Bonnet Creek in Orlando, Florida. Every year the forum informs agricultural employers, which includes producers, …

North Georgia Farmer Discusses Pumpkin Production in Southeast

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson Pumpkin production season is officially under way in North Georgia. Producer Drew Echols, owner of Jaemor Farms in Alto, Georgia, has about 130 acres this year. He talked about his pumpkin crop in an interview with AgNet Media. “Most everything’s been in the ground about two weeks, and they’re up about 10 inches tall already,” Echols said. …