By Kevin Folta Two decades ago, we were waking up and celebrating that our computers didn’t melt down on New Year’s Day. We could still tote a bottle of iced tea through an airport security line, and we were on the front side of a stock market bubble bloated with tech stocks and ready to burst. At the same time, …
Georgia Submits Revised Industrial Hemp Plan and Rules
In response to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) promulgation of the interim final rule governing the production of hemp under the 2018 farm bill on Oct. 31, 2019, the Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) has submitted an updated “Georgia Hemp Plan” to comply with USDA’s requirements. View the plan here. Pursuant to the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, O.C.G.A. …
Light Bulb Moments in the Improvement of Greenhouse Growing
By Aaron Hale (UGA/CAES) — The illuminated light bulb. It’s the symbol of a great idea come to life. Erico Mattos’ big idea doesn’t reinvent that iconic bulb exactly but reimagines how it can be used. Around the globe, greenhouses grow fruits and vegetables to provide a healthy food supply year-round. But as reliable as the sun is for providing light …
Managing Fusarium Wilt and Whiteflies in Watermelon
By Ashley Robinson Fusarium wilt is one of the most serious and difficult diseases to manage in watermelons and occurs in most production regions worldwide. The fungal disease can be seedborne and has great longevity in the soil, allowing the infested soil to also serve as a source of infection. FUSARIUM WILT Fusarium wilt has been a recurring issue for …
Growers Discuss BMPs
By Ernie Neff Two growers participating in a Dec. 16 program about local agricultural issues shared some of the best management practices (BMPs) their companies employ. The event was hosted by the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Southwest Florida Research and Education Center (SWFREC) in Immokalee. Danny Sutton, president and general manager of Alico Citrus, …
New Hemp Rules in Effect for Florida
(FDACS) — On Jan. 1, 2020, food safety and animal feed rules for the new state hemp program under the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) went into effect. Regulations on hemp extract used in food and dairy products and animal feed have been incorporated into existing FCACS programs, hemp food establishment permits are available, and the department’s food safety inspectors are ready to conduct inspections. “We’re …
Taters No More! This Florida Farm is Now Growing Sweet on Citrus
Tater Farms has worked to diversify its crop mix and is finding new tangerine plantings are progressing well in more northern climes of the Sunshine State.
Seeking Profits With Hemp
By Ernie Neff The fact that growers will be able to legally grow industrial hemp in Florida doesn’t necessarily mean the crop can be grown successfully, a University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) official says. “There is a huge interest in industrial hemp in the state of Florida,” says Jerry Fankhauser, assistant director of the UF/IFAS …
Muscadine Grapes Are Susceptible to Nematode Damage
By Ashley Robinson Muscadine grapes were once thought to be immune to nematode damage, but researchers have discovered this is not true. Native to the deep southeastern United States, muscadine grapes are often recognized for their disease and insect resistance due to their tough skin. However, recent research has proven that these grapes may not be as hearty as they …
Disease Management Update for Georgia Blueberries
By Jonathan Oliver In 2019, Georgia blueberry production rebounded from the effects of the devastating late freezes in 2017 and 2018. Nonetheless, blueberry producers in the southeastern United States must contend annually with environmental factors such as heat and humidity that can provide an ideal climate for the development of disease issues. The University of Georgia (UGA)-Tifton fruit pathology program …