florida

N.C. State Specialist: Best Strawberry Season Ever

Web AdminNorth Carolina, Strawberry, Top Posts

By Clint Thompson Mark Hoffmann, North Carolina State small fruits Extension specialist, had high praise for this year’s strawberry crop. “This is the best strawberry season ever in North Carolina. I’ve only been here for three years but that’s what all people are telling me; they’ve never had such a good strawberry season,” Hoffmann said. It appears a relatively mild …

UF/IFAS Faculty to Host Webinar Series for Agriculture and Natural Resource Professionals

Web AdminFlorida, Top Posts

By: Jarred Shellhouse, 352-273-2599, jshellhouse@ufl.edu GAINESVILLE, Fla. — A new webinar series, focused on professional development for agriculture and natural resources professionals during a global pandemic, is set to take place this summer. Megan Stein, agricultural education and communication lecturer at the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, will lead the series. “Our industry groups in agriculture …

UF/IFAS sees success

Web AdminFlorida, Legislative, Top Posts, VSCNews magazine

By Mary Ann Hooks After several disappointing budget years, the 2020 legislative session will go on record as one of the most successful for the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). The UF/IFAS priority this year was to increase our base budget. We submitted an appropriation request for a workload increase to make up for losses …

Georgia Farmers Want Additional Commodities added to CFAP

Web AdminFruit, Georgia, Produce, Top Posts, Vegetables

By Clint Thompson The Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) excludes 90% of Georgia’s specialty crop growers with its timeline restrictions of January 1 to April 15. Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Association Executive Director Charles Hall hopes additional commodities added to the list covered under CFAP will aid Georgia growers. “We are looking at commodities in Georgia that didn’t get into …

Clemson Extension Agents Provide Updates on Various Crops

Web AdminFruit, Produce, South Carolina, Top Posts, Vegetables

According to this week’s edition of The South Carolina Grower, Clemson Extension agents responded how different crops are progressing this production season. Coastal Zack Snipes reports, “It’s the time of year when crops are starting to look ugly. We are in the middle of tomato harvest and it seems to be a pretty good crop this year. Bacterial spot is …

USDA Proposes Changes in Handling Requirements for Florida Tomatoes

Web AdminFlorida, Tomatoes, Top Posts

USDA AMS ProduceJune 15, 2020 The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is proposing changes to the handling requirements under the federal marketing order for tomatoes grown in Florida. The Florida Tomato Committee recommended the changes to bring previously exempt Roma tomatoes under the marketing order’s handling regulations. The committee also recommended developing exemption language for greenhouse and hydroponic tomatoes by …

UGA Pecan Team Emphasizes Scab Disease Management

Web AdminAlabama, Florida, Georgia, Nuts, Pecan, Top Posts

By Clint Thompson The University of Georgia (UGA) pecan team is emphasizing scab disease management, since June and July are critical times for disease control. According to UGA Extension pecan blog, plant pathologist Jason Brock’s recommendations are based on Extension plant pathologist Tim Brenneman’s research regarding scab disease: With Desirable or any variety with similar scab susceptibility, a rotation of …

Blueberry Farmer: It Was Really Like Salt in the Wound

Web AdminAlabama, Berries, Florida, General, North Carolina, South Carolina, Top Posts

Florida Producer Sounds Off on Lack of Category 1 Status in CFAP By Clint Thompson While the blueberry industry was surprised as to how it was not eligible for Category 1 status in the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP), one Florida grower remains equally as dumbfounded. “I was shocked when it came out. I was literally like, jaw on the …

N.C. Peach Season Kicks off Summer Season

Web AdminNorth Carolina, Peaches, Top Posts

North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services RALEIGH – The first day of summer may be right around the corner, but fresh North Carolina peaches are already available at farmers markets and roadside stands across the state. While not a bumper crop, local growers do expect to have plenty of peaches through Labor Day. “North Carolina grows more than …