(Washington, D.C., May 4, 2020) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced today details of $470 million in Section 32 food purchases to occur in the third quarter of fiscal year 2020, in addition to purchases previously announced, which will enable USDA to purchase surplus food for distribution to communities nationwide. These Section 32 purchases will provide additional support …
Clemson Extension, SCDA Schedule Two Remote Grower Trainings
Clemson Extension and the South Carolina Department of Agriculture (SCDA) have scheduled two Produce Safety Rule Grower Trainings. They will be provided remotely for growers in May. They will be held over two days; May 19 and 20, and during May 27 and 28. The in-person training in Sumter on June 23 has been canceled. If these trainings are successful, …
N.C. Hemp Meeting Yields Updated Number of Growers
The North Carolina Industrial Hemp Commission met on Friday. According to Paul Adams, with the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, there are 1,481 licensed hemp growers, 17,167.3 licensed acres, 7.2 million licensed square feet of greenhouse space and 1,061 registered processors. For full story, see North Carolina State story.
Florida Produce Farmer Concerned Over Lack of Fair Trade
By Clint Thompson A Florida produce farmer is the latest to voice his concern over the impact Mexican imports are having on American farmers. Will Hyatt, who farms bell peppers and cantaloupes in Lake Wales, Florida, said there are multiple reasons consumers should buy domestic. He also believes the idea of fair trade is a fantasy and not reality. “I …
Still Time to Get Boxed Produce
By Clint Thompson There’s still time for fruit and vegetable lovers in South Georgia to order their boxed produce from Lewis Taylor Farms. There are still boxes available for purchase, according to the Lewis Taylor Farms Facebook page, The boxes are $20 each and include sweet potatoes, cucumbers, bell pepper, onion, cantaloupe, green beans and collards. Boxes can be picked …
Whiteflies Already a Concern for Georgia Farmers
By Clint Thompson University of Georgia Cooperative Extension vegetable entomologist Stormy Sparks said whiteflies are present in Georgia vegetables. This is not good since cotton farmers have begun planting their crop, and whiteflies like to feed on cotton plants as well. “There’s some. I don’t know if it’s worse or better or whatever compared to other years. Apurba’s been running …
How the Future of Florida Citrus is Being Crafted
Learn ways the Citrus Research and Field Trial program is making progress to formulate smart growing strategies in the face of HLB and other challenges.
Blueberry Farmer Reflects on Lost Crop Following Hailstorm
By Clint Thompson A devastating hailstorm on Thursday, April 23 wiped out production for one of the largest blueberry farming operations in the Southeast, says blueberry farmer Phillip Mixon. The former owner of Mixon Farms, who now serves as manager, reflects on what might have been with this year’s crop. “We had the best crop we had since about 2016,” …
Boxed Produce Leads to Sweet Results
By Clint Thompson Thinking inside the box helped Brill Brim sell fruit and vegetables while providing an outlet for consumers to buy local produce. Brim, a Tifton, Georgia farmer, was overwhelmed with the positive response his produce boxes generated in the South Georgia area this week. The co-owner of Lewis Taylor Farms said they sold between 1,300 and 1,400 produce …
Cabbage, Broccoli and Other Cole Crop Diseases
Clemson Cooperative Extension released some diseases that cole crop growers need to be on the look out for this spring. Cole crops, such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage and cauliflower, are easily grown in South Carolina. Tips for growing healthy cole crops in the garden are available in HGIC 1301, Broccoli, HGIC 1326, Cauliflower and HGIC 1303, Cabbage & Chinese …