By Frank Giles The Florida Ag Expo is scheduled for Nov. 2 at the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center (GCREC). The educational program is now published. It will provide attendees with a wide range of topics from the supply chain to pest management. The morning general session will host industry leaders speaking on key issues facing the specialty crop …
USDA Disaster Relief Programs Available to Growers
In the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried is sharing important resources from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to assist Florida agricultural producers who suffered losses due to the storm. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reminds communities, farmers and ranchers, families and small businesses affected by Hurricane Ian that USDA has multiple programs to provide assistance in the wake of disasters. USDA staff …
Citrus Growers Stymied by Snails
By Clint Thompson Florida citrus growers can add bulimulus snails to their growing list of pest problems. The snails are challenging some citrus groves across the state, says Lauren Diepenbrock, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences assistant professor and entomologist. The Damage They Do While the bulimulus snails do not do much in terms of physical damage …
Alabama Extension to Host Upcoming Field Days
Alabama Extension is set to host a couple of upcoming field days that will appeal to the state’s specialty crop producers. A specialty crop field day will be held on Friday, Oct. 7 at the Wiregrass Research and Extension Center at 167 State Highway 134 East in Headland, Ala. The event will start at 10:30 a.m. (EST). Those interested in …
GFVGA Executive Vice President: Georgia Producers Dodged a Bullet
By Clint Thompson Georgia’s specialty crop producers dodged disaster when Hurricane Ian shifted eastward and headed mostly around the state this week. Chris Butts, executive vice president of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA), said his organization is thankful that its growers avoided the worst impact of the hurricane. But their thoughts and prayers are with their Florida …
Delayed Planting Save Headaches from Hurricane Ian
By Clint Thompson Florida strawberry producer Dustin Grooms almost started planting his crop on Monday, two days ahead of Hurricane Ian. But he delayed, possibly saving his crop in Plant City where he’s located. Now he just needs the fields to dry out so he can get his strawberry plants in the ground. Time is of the essence. “I had plants …
5 Tips for Hurricane Reporting and Documentation
As growers begin to assess the damage left by Hurricane Ian, there’s some important considerations to keep in mind. Kimberly Lott, with Crop Disaster Recovery, provides five tips. She noted that many growers didn’t receive the full amount of money they could have been eligible for after Hurricane Irma — reporting and documentation are key. 1. REPORT LOSSES, GET INSPECTIONGrowers …
5 Tips for Hurricane Reporting and Documentation
As growers begin to assess the damage left by Hurricane Ian, there’s some important considerations to keep in mind. Kimberly Lott, with Crop Disaster Recovery, provides five tips. She noted that many growers didn’t receive the full amount of money they could have been eligible for after Hurricane Irma — reporting and documentation are key. 1. REPORT LOSSES, GET INSPECTIONGrowers …
Strawberry Producer Delays Planting Ahead of Ian: ‘Definitely the Right Call’
By Clint Thompson Florida strawberry producer Dustin Grooms almost started planting his crop on Monday, two days ahead of Hurricane Ian. But he delayed, possibly saving his crop in Plant City where he’s located. Now he just needs the fields to dry out so he can get his strawberry plants in the ground. Time is of the essence. “I had …
Sneak Peek: October 2022 Specialty Crop Industry Magazine
The October issue of Specialty Crop Industry Magazine focuses on strawberries, one of the top fruits produced in the Southeast. Jeff Cook and Garrett Hibbs, county Extension coordinators for University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension, along with Phillip Brannen, UGA Extension fruit disease specialist, provide tips for managing different fungal diseases which pose the biggest threat to production, other than …