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Florida’s 10% increase in the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) prompted some of the state’s agricultural organizations to send a letter to Florida’s congressional delegation imploring the need for labor reform. Florida’s AEWR increase is the largest in the country and will rise to $16.23. “While we have long advocated for significant reforms to the H-2A program, to include stabilizing …
By Clint Thompson Georgia Governor Brian Kemp pleaded for federal hurricane disaster relief assistance during this week’s Georgia Farm Bureau meeting in Jekyll Island, Georgia. He spoke specifically about block grants that would aid his state’s farmers still recovering from Hurricane Helene. “I continue to urge the current administration, the incoming administration and those in Congress to fund block grants …
By Clint Thompson Last week was a welcome sight for Alabama’s peach producers. Multiple cold days in a row allowed the state’s peach trees to catch up in accumulating chill hours. Edgar Vinson, assistant research professor and Extension specialist in the Department of Horticulture at Auburn University, provided an outlook on where chilling stands in the state. “We were quite …
By Clint Thompson This year’s Suwanee Valley Watermelon Institute meeting brought together experts and Extension agents from the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) with North Florida producers to highlight the industry and certain trends that will impact production next season. Mark Warren, UF/IFAS Extension agent in Levy County, discussed the meeting that was held on …
By Clint Thompson Following the recent elections, the messaging remains the same from agricultural groups to legislative leaders – devise a new farm bill sooner rather than later. Bob Redding, who works for the Redding Firm and serves as a lobbyist for ag groups in Washington, D.C., discussed the current outlook for the important piece of legislation that is overdue. …
By Clint Thompson The labor crisis impacting specialty crop production can only be solved one way – with Congressional assistance. That’s the belief shared by Michael Marsh, president and chief executive officer of the National Council of Agricultural Employers. Immigration reform has long been a controversial issue that needs to be resolved so fruit and vegetable producers can operate with …
All of Alabama is experiencing dry conditions. North Florida’s drought is worsening, while all of western and northern Georgia is at least abnormally dry. This is according to the most recent release of the U.S. Drought Monitor. Most of the southern and central portions of Alabama are either moderately dry or severely dry. Severe conditions start in Mobile County, expanding …
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff is working across the aisle to expand mental health resources for Georgia farmers. Ossoff launched a push to pass the bipartisan Farmers First Act, legislation he co-sponsored that aims to expand mental health resources for Georgia farmers. The bipartisan bill would reauthorize the national Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN) for Fiscal …
As we enter Florida’s strawberry-growing season, establishing young strawberry plants in the field requires substantial water. New University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) research shows that growers can save as much as 67% — or up to half a million gallons per acre per season by alternating sprinkler cycles on and off — and achieve the …
By Clint Thompson Alabama specialty crop farmers should be mindful that the early-bird registration for next year’s Alabama Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association Conference and Trade Show ends Dec. 31. The annual conference and trade show is scheduled for Feb. 5-7, 2025, at the Lodge at Gulf State Park in Gulf Shores, Alabama. Registration includes all general meal functions, breakouts …
