Contact: Judy Clayton Sanchez The People of U.S. Sugar Provide More than 120,000 Servings of Fresh, Locally-Grown Green Beans to Employees, South Florida Churches, Healthcare Providers and Food Banks Clewiston, FL – As part of its ongoing local response to the global COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. Sugar announced on Wednesday it is contributing nearly 1,000 crates, or the equivalent of 120,000 …
List of Farms Selling Produce Directly to Consumers Found on FFVA Website
The Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association (FFVA) is trying to help consumers who are still interested in buying fresh, nutritious produce. The FFVA has compiled information about farms in Florida that have opened to selling their produce directly to consumers. A list of farms can be found on the FFVA website. Support for farmers and farming operations is essential during …
Florida Producers Still Concerned with Foreign Produce in Stores
During the Florida Farm Bureau Federation (FFBF) and Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) Town Hall last week concerning COVID-19 and its effects on Florida agriculture, one issued discussed was how fresh produce growers were having difficultly moving their products. But foreign produce continues to be prevalent in stores. Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried said this is something …
North Florida Watermelon Farmers Bracing for Unpredictable Season
By Clint Thompson The watermelon season in Florida has already soured and a huge chunk of the state’s crop has yet to be harvested. Prices for South Florida watermelons started at a robust 40 cents per pound but have since dropped to 12 cents amidst a deflated market during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, according to Mark Warren, University of Florida/IFAS …
COVID-19 Keeps Georgia Produce Farmers From Hiring Labor, Exporting Crops
By Sharon Dowdy, University of Georgia, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Georgia produce farmers are used to fighting plant diseases on their crops, but planting resistant varieties or spraying pesticides won’t keep Coronavirus (COVID-19) away. This disease has shut down borders and reduced access to the markets where farmers sell their crops, is keeping essential farm labor out of …
Using Control Release Fertilizer in Vidalia Onion Production
By Ashley Robinson Appropriated timing of fertilizer application during crop development ensures soil nutrient availability thorough the onion growing season. Typically, fertilizer is applied five times for Vidalia onion production in Georgia. However, researchers have found that control release fertilizer applications can significantly reduce the number of fertilizer applications while maintaining crop yield. RESEARCH RECOMMENDATIONS During the 2018-19 Vidalia onion …
UF/IFAS Seeking Partners for Hemp On-Farm Trials
The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) hemp program is seeking 20 qualified partners across Florida for on-farm trials. Zack Brym, agronomist at the Tropical Research and Education Center in Homestead and research coordinator of the UF/IFAS Industrial Hemp Pilot Project, says partner farms will conduct a coordinated field planting on 2 acres with variations in land …
The Day South Florida Agriculture Changed
Submitted by Gene McAvoy, Regional Vegetable Extension Agent IV Emeritus with UF/IFAS “Up to the end of Feb our growers were having a banner year and it looked like this season would be one of those homeruns that come around every 5-6 years.” Here is a report that I prepared on the state of S Florida ag and shared with …
UGA Specialist not Concerned About Oversupply of Hemp in Georgia
By Clint Thompson Tim Coolong, associate professor in the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, said oversupply of hemp at the national level remains a concern. He’s not as worried with Georgia, however, due to rules and regulations in place. “I think on the bulk wholesale market, I’m still worried about oversupply. In Georgia, I think we’re in a …
Digital Resources Available for Specialty Crop Producers, Gardeners and Consumers
By Dr. Ayanava Majumdar, Extension Professor, Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Auburn University The Alabama Extension Commercial Horticulture Team is comprised of 27 members in the horticulture and food production industry. Amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, we have to remember that food production or farming doesn’t stop; therefore, we have started some educational activities that …