By: Brad Buck, bradbuck@ufl.edu In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, a group of bilingual UF/IFAS Extension agents has created a series of educational videos to market its services and provide educational information to underserved Spanish-speaking audiences throughout Florida. Known as the CAFÉ Latino (the Coalition of Florida Extension for Latino/Hispanics), the 45-member volunteer group of UF/IFAS Extension faculty works as a …
Coronavirus Pandemic Impacts Alabama Vegetable, Specialty Crop Producers
By Clint Thompson Max Runge, Extension specialist in agricultural economics at Auburn University, believes there was impact from the coronavirus pandemic on vegetable and specialty crop growers in Alabama. Some have still thrived with their businesses and U-pick operations despite a pandemic dating back to mid-March. Others struggled to find their footing when restaurants were forced to close and stay …
UF Economist: Be Open to New Opportunities
By Clint Thompson Farmers can learn a lot from the first coronavirus pandemic in preparations for a potential “second wave” that might occur this fall. Christa Court, assistant scientist in the University of Florida/IFAS Food and Resource Economics Department, said producers who were willing to adjust on the fly this spring fared more successfully than those who did not. “I …
Scout Aphids Early and Often
By Clint Thompson According to UGA Extension, aphids are one of the most important pests pecan growers need to manage during the growing season. And they’re also one of the most difficult to control. Black-margined aphids and yellow aphids are present all season but it’s not uncommon to see a spike in numbers in mid-to-late June and in August. Andrew …
New UF/IFAS Economist Comes ‘Home,’ Looks to Help Harness Resources
By: Brad Buck, bradbuck@ufl.edu IMMOKALEE, Fla. — Kim Morgan is coming home, in a manner of speaking. Morgan graduated from the University of Florida three times. Mostly recently, she began her position as an associate professor of food and resources economics for the UF/IFAS Southwest Florida Research and Education Center in Immokalee. For now, due to CDC stay-at-home guidelines, Morgan …
Blueberry Farmer Adjusts During COVID-19, Finds Success
By Clint Thompson COVID-19 struck in the middle of Denton Chapman’s U-pick blueberry season in Osceola County, Florida. Chapman had to pivot his business’ strategy on the fly and move strictly to a pre-pick operation. The customers responded favorably. “The pandemic started right when we were in the middle of our U-pick so we had to adjust,” said Chapman, with …
Strategies for Sourcing Approved Inputs
By Sarah Bostick Access to approved inputs is a challenge in states with few certified organic farms. Agricultural supply stores in these states often don’t have enough demand to keep approved products in stock. But with a little creativity, you can get your hands on all the inputs you need. WHERE TO LOOK Two independent groups determine if an input …
Florida Blueberry Farmer: USMCA Not a Good Deal For Vegetable, Specialty Crop Producers
By Clint Thompson One of the most vocal critics of Mexican imports into the U.S. is adamant that the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement will not help or protect vegetable or specialty crop producers. “No, that’s not a good deal for specialty crops. They didn’t really address our issues at all. That was not a good deal for us,” said Ryan Atwood, …
Clemson Extension Agents Provide Crop Updates
According to The South Carolina Grower, Clemson Extension agents provided updates on the status of fruits and vegetables throughout the state. In the Coastal area, Zack Snipes reports: “A week of unseasonably mild temperatures and damp conditions slowed things down a bit. The warmer weather this past weekend and this week should put things in gear again. Tomato spotted wilt …
Potential Second Wave of Pandemic Could Impact Vegetable, Specialty Crop Producers
By Clint Thompson The coronavirus pandemic struck in mid-March during harvest season for vegetable and specialty crop growers in the Southeast. Many fear a second wave of COVID-19 could strike again in October and November when temperatures start to drop. It is also when many producers have their fall crop in the ground. “The specialty crops would be where maybe …