H-2A Program Updates

Web AdminGeneral, Top Posts

When the U.S. government announced its decision to suspend visa processing in Mexico on March 18 to combat the spread of COVID-19, growers around the country immediately expressed concerns that the action could have a major impact on agriculture and the U.S. food supply. The concern, of course, was due to the vital role that foreign workers play in the …

UF Scientists Make Big Stride Toward Greening-Resistant Citrus Trees

Web AdminCitrus, Florida, Top Posts

By: Brad Buck, 813-757-2224, bradbuck@ufl.edu University of Florida scientists achieved a major milestone in their quest to develop a citrus greening-resistant tree by sequencing the genome of a fruit plant that’s a close cousin to citrus trees. You’d need to print 54,000 pages of copy paper to see the complete genome sequence. But within it, scientists believe they’ve found genes …

Weather Could be Decisive Factor in South Georgia Farmer’s Fall Vegetable Crop

Web AdminGeorgia, Top Posts, Vegetables

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

Web AdminAlabama, Hemp, Top Posts

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

Web AdminGeorgia, Top Posts

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

Web AdminFlorida, Hops, Research, Top Posts, VSCNews magazine

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

Web AdminFlorida, Top Posts

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?

Web AdminGeorgia, Pecan, Top Posts

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

Web AdminSouth Carolina, Top Posts

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 …