Annual Conference Highlights Impact of Alabama Extension Master Gardener Volunteers

Clint ThompsonAlabama

AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala.—The Alabama Cooperative Extension System and the Alabama Master Gardeners Association recently welcomed hundreds of volunteers and horticulture educators to Huntsville, Ala., for the 2026 Alabama Master Gardeners Association Annual Conference. Hosted by the Master Gardener associations of Limestone, Madison and Morgan counties, the event highlighted the important role of Extension Master Gardener volunteers as Extension educators. Kerry …

Extreme Drought Conditions Challenging Southeast Alabama

Clint ThompsonAlabama

By Clint Thompson Scattered rains last weekend in Southeast Alabama were a welcomed sight for producers. But considering the drought’s impact in the region, growers need those rains to continue. “Right along the Houston-Geneva County, the southern parts of the county along the state line, it’s mighty dry,” said Neil Kelly, Alabama regional Extension agent in Southeast Alabama. Almost all …

Dry Weather Preferred: Alabama Tomato Grower Discusses Current Drought

Clint ThompsonAlabama

By Clint Thompson What a difference a year makes for one Alabama tomato producer. Chad Smith, who grows tomatoes in St. Clair County in the central part of the state, is preparing this year’s crop amid unusually dry conditions. It has created a challenging environment to plant tomato plants, though it’s still much better than 2025. “Take last year, it …

Alabama Extension Agent: It’s Been a Good Strawberry Season So Far

Clint ThompsonAlabama

By Clint Thompson Count Alabama’s strawberry growers as one ag group benefiting from the current hot and dry weather conditions. David Lawrence, regional Extension agent in central Alabama, explains why. “It’s good for the strawberries. The strawberry guys are loving it,” Lawrence said. “Not a lot of berries are going to waste being as dry as it is.” Extreme drought …

Alabama Extension Agent Discusses Strawberry Harvests in U-Pick Fields

Clint ThompsonAlabama

By Clint Thompson Strawberry harvests are underway in North Alabama. Most strawberry farmers own a U-pick operation where customers come to the fields and pick their own berries. But growers should be cautious in how they operate their U-pick farms, says Eric Schavey, regional Extension agent in Northeast Alabama. “What I told the young guy that was getting into it, …

Alabama Extension Specialist Cautions Growers About Potential Insect Concerns

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By Clint Thompson The prolonged dry weather conditions in parts of Alabama have been conducive for insect populations to build up. One insect pest is a concern this time of year, especially for tomato growers, explains Paulo Gimenez Cremonez, Auburn Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist. “Right now, we are looking for some thrips,” Cremonez said. “They’re starting to show up …

Alabama Extension Agent Voices Concern for State of Agriculture

Clint ThompsonAlabama

By Clint Thompson It is not breaking news to say that times are tough in agriculture. Even before missiles were launched into Iran on Feb. 28, specialty crop growers were feeling the pinch of an unfavorable economy. Crop prices were not ideal. Input costs, especially with labor, were high. Seasonal imports continued to flow into the country. The war in …

Strawberry Update: Sclerotinia Present in North Alabama Crop

Clint ThompsonAlabama

By Clint Thompson North Alabama’s strawberry season continues to progress. Growers should be aware that one disease is noticeably present, according to Eric Schavey, regional Extension agent in Northeast Alabama. “We’re seeing a little sclerotinia. That’s soilborne and you rotate away from that. It was actually in some new ground. You treat it like you do gray mold, botrytis or …

Southeast Alabama Strawberry Producers ‘Cautiously Optimistic’

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By Clint Thompson Strawberries are nearing harvest season in Southeast Alabama. Neil Kelly, Alabama regional Extension agent in Southeast Alabama, provided an update on the current season and what growers are doing now in preparations for harvest time. “What we’re trying to do right now is stick all of our blooms from this point forward. We start at the middle …

Drought Impacting Southeast Alabama’s Spring Plantings

Clint ThompsonAlabama

By Clint Thompson Alabama’s drought-like conditions are the driest in the southeast part of the state. It’s created challenging conditions for vegetable growers who have started the planting process for this season’s crops. Neil Kelly, Alabama regional Extension agent in Southeast Alabama, talked about the current drought. “It’s dry. If you’re on hard, stiff dirt, no we haven’t gotten that …