TAMPA, Fla. – The Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame, which honors producers, commodity leaders, educators, scientists and others who have contributed to agriculture in the Sunshine State, is accepting nominations for its class of 2024 inductees. There are two ways to nominate: Nominations and supporting materials must be submitted electronically no later than Sept. 1. “The Hall of Fame celebrates …
Clemson Extension Agents Provide Crop Updates
Weekly Field Update Clemson Extension agents provide updates in The South Carolina Grower this week about the status of various crops being produced throughout the state. Coastal Region Zack Snipes Midlands Phillip Carnley Rob Last Pee Dee Bruce McLean
UF/IFAS Benefits From Record-Setting Session
By Mary Ann Hooks and Christopher Hodge This year, the total Florida state budget climbed to $116.5 billion, the largest in the state’s history. There are historic investments in Florida’s higher education system, environment, healthcare, rainy day funds, and just about every other silo as we shine bright into the future. Here are some of the highlights of how the …
Fungicide Resistance Testing Available for Georgia Grape Producers
By Clint Thompson Georgia grape producers should be aware that the University of Georgia has resources to test for fungicide resistance of multiple pathogens in wine grapes. These pathogens include powdery mildew, downy mildew, ripe rot and Botrytis. But only in certain instances should growers send samples to the Plant Molecular Diagnostic Lab in Tifton, Georgia. Phil Brannen, University of …
Hurricane Development a Concern with Current Hot Ocean Waters
By Clint Thompson Hot ocean waters in the Gulf of Mexico are concerning for the Southeast. Parts of the Gulf have temperatures above 90 degrees Fahrenheit. They could spark hurricane development very quickly, and unfortunately, there is not much preparation time for specialty crop growers in Florida, Georgia and Alabama. Pam Knox, University of Georgia Extension agricultural climatologist, says people …
Rubio, Colleagues Introduce Land Grant Research Prioritization Act
U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL), Jon Ossoff (D-GA), and Raphael Warnock (D-GA) introduced bipartisan legislation last week to authorize the U.S. Department of Agriculture to make priority research grants available for land-grant universities to research and develop agricultural applications of artificial intelligence (AI), advanced mechanized harvester technologies, invasive species control and aquaculture. “Florida’s land-grant universities are constantly innovating to address …
Sweet Grown Alabama Hosts Farm to Table Event
PRATTVILLE, Ala. – Sweet Grown Alabama hosted its third annual farm to table dinner at The Barn at Twin Valley in Prattville on Thursday, July 13. More than 250 attendees enjoyed a dinner full of locally grown products, live music from local band Shackelford Lane and beautiful Alabama farm views. Farmers and ranchers, Sweet Grown Alabama sponsors and supporters, local legislators and community …
A Preview of Florida Citrus Breeding Projects
By Peter Chaires The New Varieties Development & Management Corp. (NVDMC) board of directors has completed its 2023-24 budgeting process. Like other citrus industry organizations and private companies, the NVDMC board sought to address the need for immediate and short-term benefits, without abandoning a necessary focus on the future. Most of the funding will be directed to near-term benefit, with …
Florida Watermelon Growers Lead in Total Production
While many enjoy sweet, cool watermelon as a treat or snack this summer, remember where it comes from. Some Florida growers claim they had their best season ever. Florida continues to lead the nation in watermelon production. From 2010 to 2021, Florida growers ranked No. 1 in the United States with an average of 22,616 acres of watermelon harvested per …
Take Precautions When the Heat Is On
By Ashley McLeod-Morin Due to the nature of their work during the extreme heat of summer, those who work on farms are at a higher risk for heat-related illnesses than the general population. The Southeastern Coastal Center for Agricultural Health and Safety, led by the University of Florida, has compiled heat illness educational resources (see tinyurl.com/2u5mh642) for farmers and farmworkers …