By Clint Thompson U.S. Congressman Austin Scott (R-GA-08) believes China to be an adversary, no longer an aggressive competitor. So, naturally when China controls certain agricultural inputs, most notably seed, it concerns the legislator. “I don’t blame the Chinese for being smart, I blame us for being naïve about what they were doing and not paying enough attention to it …
Blueberry Meeting Road Show Addressed Leaf Rust
By Frank Giles The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) blueberry team took to the road in July for their summer educational seminars. Meetings were held in four locations in blueberry production areas. Doug Phillips, UF/IFAS blueberry Extension coordinator, help planned the meeting. He said the meetings went well and touched on local concerns. “The genesis …
Sneak Peek: August 2023 Specialty Crop Industry Magazine
The August issue of Specialty Crop Industry Magazine focuses on irrigation management in blueberry production. Gerardo Nunez, a University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences assistant professor in Gainesville, Florida, highlights the role that root and leaf age plays in how blueberry bushes consume water. Not enough water can hinder the growth and productivity of blueberries. Too much …
AgNet Media Announces Launch of Specialty Crop Grower Magazine
AgNet Media has announced the merger of two of its print brands to create a new magazine — Specialty Crop Grower. The magazine will serve growers of fruit and vegetable crops in the Southeast. Last year, AgNet Media purchased Florida Grower, a 116-year-old magazine with a loyal following among the state’s specialty crop producers. Florida Grower joined AgNet Media’s other …
AgNet Media Announces Launch of Specialty Crop Grower Magazine
AgNet Media has announced the merger of two of its print brands to create a new magazine — Specialty Crop Grower. The magazine will serve growers of fruit and vegetable crops in the Southeast. Last year, AgNet Media purchased Florida Grower, a 116-year-old magazine with a loyal following among the state’s specialty crop producers. Florida Grower joined AgNet Media’s other …
UF CALS Hosts 2023 Florida Youth Institute
By Maegan Beatty Every summer, the University of Florida College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) partners with the World Food Prize Foundation to develop a youth education program called the Florida Youth Institute (FYI). Students from across Florida, as well as other states, write a research paper about a developing country of their choice and one specific issue or …
USDA Invests in Research, Extension and Education at 1890 Land-grant Universities
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced an investment of more than $33 million to support capacity-building efforts at 1890 Land-grant Universities. This investment, administered through USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), will support 82 research, Extension, and education projects across the nation’s 19 Historically Black Colleges and Universities designated as 1890 Land-grant Universities. These projects are part …
What’s Happening? Clemson Extension Agents Provide Crop Updates
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. Coastal Region Zack Snipes Midlands Rob Last Sarah Scott Upstate Andy Rollins
SCFBA Co-Chair Discusses Support for Recent Legislation
By Clint Thompson The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance (SCFBA) applauds recent legislation that addresses multiple priorities in the upcoming Farm Bill. Kam Quarles, CEO of the National Potato Council and co-chair of the SCFBA, discussed the provisions that highlight various needs of the specialty crop industry. These include producers’ access to conservation programs, the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program …
And the Survey Says: Vegetable Producers Sound Off on Pesticide, Fertilizer Use
The U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS)-Agricultural Chemical Use Survey collected date about pesticide and fertilizer use from vegetable producers in 2022. NASS administered the survey among growers in 17 states, and three vegetables were highlighted. These include snap beans, squash and sweet corn. Nitrogen was the most widely used nutrient for all the three featured crops, …