Weather has wreaked havoc on one South Georgia farmer’s fall vegetable production. Sam Watson, managing partner of Chill C Farms in Colquitt County, Georgia, said his crop has not progressed as far along as it should have by this point in the growing season. He’s concerned a potential frost could derail his plans for a productive fall season. “We’re Oct. …
ADAI Launches 2021 Applications for Growing, Processing Industrial Hemp
MONTGOMERY, Ala.- The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) will accept hemp applications from eligible growers and processors/handlers, using a new online application system starting, today, Oct. 13, 2020. Applications are available at agi.alabama.gov/hempapp. The final day to apply for a hemp license is Nov. 30, 2020 by 5:00 pm (CST). In 2016, the Alabama Legislature passed the Alabama Industrial …
GFVGA Members Participate in Virtual March on Washington
By Chris Butts, GFVGA Legislative Affairs Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA) board members and staff recently participated in United Fresh’s Virtual Washington Conference. With travel still limited and much of Washington remaining shut down because of COVID-19, produce industry representatives from across the country gathered virtually on Sept. 21-25 to advocate for fruit and vegetable growers on issues …
Florida Hops Show Potential
By Shinsuke Agehara Craft beer brewed with Florida hops sounds very attractive. But can hops be grown in Florida? Will the crop produce high yields? The most important question is: Will it be profitable? There are lots of rumors, myths and hype about growing hops in the Sunshine State. That’s probably because hops have never been grown commercially in Florida …
Jamie Ellis, Director of UF/IFAS Honey Bee Lab, Wins National Excellence in Extension Award
By: Samantha Murray, grenrosa@ufl.edu, 949-735-1076 Recognizing visionary leadership and diversity in educational programming, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), Cooperative Extension, and the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) announced that Jamie Ellis of the University of Florida will receive the 2020 Excellence in Extension Award. USDA-NIFA and Cooperative Extension have sponsored …
Pecan Prices Better Than Originally Expected?
Southeast pecan farmers should be encouraged by market prices as harvest season gets under way across the region. According to Lenny Wells, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension pecan specialist, prices for Pawnee varieties are up from what was originally projected, as are Stuarts. Plus, there is renewed buying interest from China, which has traditionally been the biggest buyer of U.S. …
Clemson Extension Agents Provide Crop Updates
Clemson Extension agents provided updates in The South Carolina Grower this week about the status of various crops being produced throughout the state. Weekly Field Update – 10/12/20 Posted on October 12, 2020 by Justin Ballew Coastal Rob Last reports, “Crops are generally looking very well to press with some welcome rain benefiting fall crops. Whitefly and caterpillar numbers are increasing. With …
What’s up With Growing Lemons in Florida?
Adventurous producers are still seeking ways to squeeze profit out of this appealing citrus fruit.
Auburn Extension Economist Expects More Participation for CFAP 2
Auburn University Assistant Professor and Extension economist Adam Rabinowitz expects more growers to participate during this current sign-up period for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2. There’s no reason for growers to wait, go ahead and sign up for the program, which continues through Dec. 11, 2020. “I do expect more participation. I would encourage producers to look at this …
Oak Root Rot Biggest Threat to Peach Industry
The most dangerous threat to the peach industry in the Southeast is Oak Root Rot, a soil-borne fungus that can wipe out peach trees, according to Edgar Vinson, Alabama Extension Professor of Horticulture. Oak Root Rot or Armillaria Root Rot, causes stunted leaves, yellow defoliation, chlorotic leaves, death of branches and, ultimately, death of the tree. Unfortunately for peach producers, …