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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson is highlighting the Florida Farm Bill and its proposal to protect Florida’s farmers and ranchers from environmental, social and governance (ESG) lending discrimination from financial institutions. The proposal will prohibit financial institutions from using ESG scoring to restrict services and capital to farmers. Traditional lending determination options, such as the evaluation of …
By Clint Thompson The cost of doing business remains a huge concern for Alabama’s specialty crop farmers heading into the 2025 season. Input prices remain inflated, while market prices remain mostly deflated. Wendiam Sawadgo, Auburn assistant professor and Extension economist, explains how the math is not adding up for fruit and vegetable producers to remain sustainable. “Inflation has come down …
By Clint Thompson Chris Tyson, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension area onion agent, is optimistic about this year’s Vidalia onion crop halfway through the season. That optimism speaks volumes considering the weather challenges that have threatened production this year. “We’ve had several obstacles in our way this year. First was Hurricane Helene which caused some plant losses and stand losses …
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced loan interest rates for February 2025, which became effective Feb. 3. USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) loans provide important access to capital to help producers start or expand their farming operation, purchase equipment and storage structures or meet cash flow needs. Operating, Ownership and Emergency Loans FSA offers farm ownership, operating and emergency …
Vegetable growers use herbicides to kill weeds to prevent crop loss. A University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) researcher is using artificial intelligence (AI) to reduce herbicide sprayed on crops. “We are building multiple AI-powered herbicide application units, each of which works in different ways,” said Nathan Boyd a UF/IFAS weed scientist and horticultural sciences professor …
By Clint Thompson The Sweet Grown Alabama branding program continues to be a valuable resource for the state’s agriculture industry to connect with consumers. Founded in 2019, the program allows specialty crop producers and their farming operations to be included in a database that serves consumers who want to support locally grown produce. They could be searching for strawberries, peaches, …
By Clint Thompson The amended budget for Georgia’s ’25 fiscal year is currently under review by the state Senate. It is expected to vote on the budget soon, believes Georgia Agribusiness Council (GAC) President Will Bentley. Bentley discussed the budget situation as the 2025 Georgia State Legislative Session continues in Atlanta. “The House added, I believe, an additional $25 million …
The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is requesting farmers impacted by Winter Storm Enzo to complete the UF/IFAS Economic Impact Analysis Program (EIAP) survey on losses and damages. The storm brought sub-freezing temperatures and historic snowfall to North Florida between Jan. 20-22. It affected agricultural operations that were already impacted by hurricanes Debby, Helene and/or …
By Clint Thompson University of Georgia research in Vidalia onions has yielded a new approach to planting the crop. Ted McAvoy, University of Georgia Extension vegetable specialist, wants growers to maximize their area to produce more plants per acre. Because of the threshold of the recommended spacing between plants, McAvoy offered an alternative method. “Most all of the work that’s …
By Clint Thompson Alabama’s fruit and vegetable industry has room for growth. But how does it get there? It was a point of emphasis during a panel discussion at the recent Alabama Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association Conference and Trade Show in Gulf Shores, Alabama. Industry leaders like producer Taylor Hatchett discussed specialty crops and how the industry can grow …
