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By Clint Thompson Another active tropical season awaits the Southeast this summer. While not as active as last year, predictions by Colorado State University are for 17 total named storms in the Atlantic Basin, nine hurricanes and four that are Category 3 or higher. In comparison, there were 18 storms in 2024, 11 hurricanes and five that were at least …
By Clint Thompson There is minimal disease pressure in watermelons across the Suwanee Valley region of North Florida. With dry weather conditions expected in the near future, risk of new infections of bacterial or fungal diseases is currently low, according to Bob Hochmuth, UF/IFAS Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida. Hochmuth noted in his weekly email what watermelon …
By Clint Thompson The National Pecan Federation’s (NPF) Political Action Committee (PAC) is essential to the future of the industry in the Southeast. Growers in Alabama and Georgia need PAC to have a seat at the table when dealing with lawmakers who could shape the industry’s future. Georgia grower Marianne Brown was part of a panel discussion at this year’s …
By Clint Thompson Southeast specialty crop producers must be prepared for a potential raid or audit of their workforce amid the current crackdown by the Trump Administration in deporting those who are in the country illegally. Georgia and Florida are two of the largest users of the H-2A program, which allows U.S. employers who meet specific regulatory requirements to bring …
Whitefly populations are increasing in South Florida, according to the most recent release of the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. Multiple reports indicate low to moderate whitefly populations in melons, tomatoes and snap beans in Southwest Florida. Whitefly infestations in melons is concerning, not just because of the risk of virus but in some populations, levels are high enough …
Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries Rick Pate announced earlier this month that U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke Rollins has designated 20 Alabama counties as primary natural disaster areas due to a recent drought. There were 18 additional counties listed as contiguous disaster counties. “The drought affected over half of the counties in Alabama,” said Commissioner Pate. “We …
By Clint Thompson Florida’s strawberry farmers produced a viable and productive crop this year despite being challenged by Hurricane Milton just after planting season. It speaks to the resiliency of the state’s producers, says Nick Wishnatzki, public relations director at Wish Farms in Plant City, Florida. “We obviously started the season with a lot of uncertainty, with the hurricane on …
By Clint Thompson Sustainability was an underlying theme at this year’s Alabama Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (AFVGA) Conference and Trade Show held Feb. 5–7 in Gulf Shores. Seminar sessions and workshops at the event addressed the following questions and more: “When the committee meets and talks about the sessions and what education topics we’re going to hit on every …
By Clint Thompson The next 90 days are critical for the domestic tomato industry. That is how Robert Guenther, executive vice president of the Florida Tomato Exchange, views the next three months following Monday’s announcement that the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) would terminate the 2019 U.S.-Mexico Tomato Suspension Agreement, which will become effective July 14, 2025. Guenther believes the …
By Clint Thompson One North Georgia peach producer is a little more than a month away from starting his harvest season. Drew Echols, owner of Jaemor Farms, could not be more optimistic about this year’s crop. “I think it’s going to be good. I feel good about it,” Echols said. “Depending on the varieties, we’ve got fruit that is dime …
