By Clint Thompson Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) payments are already starting to be issued across the country to farmers impacted by COVID-19. Some specialty crop growers in the Southeast have already started receiving funds. As of June 8, in Florida, 95 specialty crop applications have been submitted with $11.5 million in payments issued by the USDA. In Georgia, 91 …
Powdery Mildew Alert!
According to UGA Extension Viticulture blog, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Fruit Disease Specialist Phil Brannen says powdery mildew is just starting to show up on untreated plants in the research grape vineyard at Blairsville, Georgia. “I hope you will not see it yet in well managed vineyards, but recent rains and other difficulties may have hampered spray programs,” Brannen …
Secretary Perdue Discusses CFAP
Farmers are currently submitting applications for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP). In some instances, checks have already been issued to producers impacted by COVID-19. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue talked about CFAP with Clint Thompson, multimedia journalist with AgNet Media. In particular, he discussed the cap placed on the payments issued to each eligible grower. For more information …
Georgia: Ag bills still in play when session paused
By Will Bentley It’s a surreal moment in Georgia politics as two years of policy work hangs in the balance after lawmakers pressed the pause button on the 2020 legislative session due to the coronavirus pandemic. Before turning our full attention to working with state and federal leaders to navigate through the heath crisis, the Georgia Agribusiness Council (GAC) was …
Alabama Hemp Planting Under Way, Just Not Fast Enough
By Clint Thompson Less than half of hemp producers in Alabama have the go-ahead from the Alabama Department of Agriculture to plant this year’s crop, according to Auburn University Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist Katelyn Kesheimer. “A lot of people are still waiting on, can’t even get your seeds or your clones until you get approval from the Department of …
UF/IFAS to Host Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training
The University of Florida/IFAS will host a Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training on July 21 through July 23 via Zoom. The trainings will be held from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. each day. The cost to attend is $25. Those interested can click here to register. Per the Food Service Modernization Act, every farm must have at least one Produce …
Secretary Perdue: Farmers to Families Food Box Program a Win For All Involved
United States Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue was in Lakeland, Fla. on Monday. He attended a farmers to families food box event. It’s a new program that the United States Department of Agriculture launched to purchase $3 billion in excess food from farmers and distribute to families in need. He talked about the program with Clint Thompson, multimedia journalist with …
Chinese Citrus Imports a Sour Pill for Florida Growers
With tensions high during the coronavirus crisis, move to allow fruit into U.S. raises alarm. See what some are saying about it.
Japanese Beetles Active in Georgia Vineyards
According to the UGA Extension Viticulture Blog, Japanese beetles are starting to become more widespread in west Georgia vineyards. University of Georgia entomologist Brett Blaauw says the pests are only beginning to emerge but expects the populations to increase exponentially over the next few weeks. “In large enough numbers, Japanese beetles can be a severe pest of grapes during the …
Pepper Weevils a Problem for Vegetable Growers Again
By Clint Thompson Pepper weevils are once again a problem for pepper growers in the Southeast. Weevils are a problem wherever present, whether it is in high populations or low populations. “Anytime you have pepper weevil it’s a problem and in very low populations because of the contamination. High populations can cause fruit abscission. It can hurt your yields considerably. …