farm bureau

Florida Farm Bureau President to Participate in Virtual Hearing on Seasonal and Perishable Produce

Web AdminFlorida, Top Posts

Gainesville, Fla. –  Florida Farm Bureau President John L. Hoblick will provide public comment to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) and the U.S. Departments of Commerce and Agriculture on Thursday, August 13, 2020 at 9 a.m. EST to address concerns of unfair trade practices with Mexico. In this virtual hearing, federal officials will hear firsthand from Florida …

Gloomy Projections Remain for North Carolina Grapes

Web AdminGrapes, North Carolina, Top Posts

It is nearing harvest time for North Carolina grape producers. Unfortunately, original projections remain true for this year’s crop. It is expected to be a down year for grape farmers. “With the vinefera grapes for the wine industry in the western part because of all of the frost events we had in the spring, most vineyards are down at least …

Update: How to Report Unsolicited Seeds

Web AdminFlorida, Seeds, Top Posts

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumers Services (FDACS) has an updated website to help the state’s residents know how to proceed if they receive unsolicited seeds in the mail. Those who do receive seeds, please click here. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services(FDACS) is warning Floridians about unsolicited packages of seeds received through the mail. The seed packets may …

Alabama Farm Credit Partners with Sweet Grown Alabama

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MONTGOMERY, Ala.— Sweet Grown Alabama, the state’s agricultural branding program, is pleased to welcome Alabama Farm Credit as a founding member of the non-profit organization. “Alabama Farm Credit is proud to be a founding member of Sweet Grown Alabama. We believe that the strength of agriculture in our state is dependent on finding every way possible to maximize the value …

Fall Vegetable Crops Susceptible to Whiteflies

Web AdminAlabama, Cucurbits, Georgia, Pests, Top Posts

Unless more rain in the upcoming weeks can knock back populations, whiteflies are a huge concern for fall vegetable growers, according to Stormy Sparks, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension vegetable entomologist. “Right now, it’s looking pretty bad. It could be devastating. The populations are really high, and we’re just now getting started,” Sparks said. “I’ve got squash where the adult …

USDA Announces More Eligible Commodities for CFAP

Web AdminAlabama, Coronavirus, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Top Posts

Application Deadline Extended to Sept. 11 (Washington, D.C., Aug. 11, 2020) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced today that additional commodities are covered by the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) in response to public comments and data. Additionally, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is extending the deadline to apply for the program to Sept. 11, and producers …

House Ag Committee Seeks Specialty Crop Relief

Web AdminCoronavirus

House Agriculture Committee members seek more Coronavirus Food Assistance Program relief for specialty crop growers. The group recently sent a letter to Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue with the request. Led by Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett, a Democrat from the U.S. Virgin Islands, the lawmakers say, “The direct payment program under CFAP has failed to provide equitable relief to the specialty crop …

Alabama Extension Offices Serving as Drop-Off Points for Mystery Seed Packages

Web AdminAlabama, Seeds, Top Posts

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Alabama Cooperative Extension System is partnering with the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) to assist in collecting unsolicited seed packages being sent to Alabama residents from China. The packages often indicate that they contain jewelry rather than seeds. ADAI field inspectors are currently collecting these seed packages to test their contents for unknown compounds, …

Hemp growers: Be on the Lookout for Nematodes

Web AdminFlorida, Hemp, Pests, Top Posts, VSCNews magazine

By Johan Desaeger Florida’s subtropical climate offers unique opportunities to grow crops outside of the typical growing season of other states. Such is the case for strawberries and many vegetables. There are high expectations that hemp could be another such crop, although nematodes may have something to say about that. Plant-parasitic nematodes, such as root-knot and sting nematodes, can cause …

Florida Farmer: Administration Needs to be Real Careful with Upcoming Hearings

Web AdminFlorida, Georgia, Top Posts, Trade

Paul Allen, president of R.C. Hatton Farms in Belle Glade, Florida and chairman of the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association, believes the outcome of the upcoming virtual hearings about unfair trade practices with the U.S. Trade Representative’s Office could have significant ramifications come November. “This administration better realize that the American people are very well aware of this Florida deal. …