Support for Young, Beginning and Small Growers

Web AdminAgri-business

By Frank Giles Last month, we celebrated National Farmers’ Day. The day was recognized with the expected expressions of gratitude on social media and other platforms. But I also noted that a few used the day to raise the topic of the aging population of growers. The graying of the audience (myself included) doesn’t go unnoticed at the farm meetings …

USDA AFRI Grant to Allow Researchers to Help Southern Blueberry Growers in States Like Alabama

Web AdminAlabama, Blueberries

A nearly half-a-million-dollar grant will allow Auburn University professors and Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station researchers to help blueberry growers in states like Alabama where growing the fruit has its challenges. Funded by a $497,827 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI), the project is titled, “Expanding Southern highbush blueberries to underserved regions of the …

Let the Plantings Begin: Vidalia Onion Growers Benefit from Lack of Tropical System

Web AdminGeorgia, Onion, Vidalia Onions

By Clint Thompson Georgia Vidalia onion producers dodged Hurricane Idalia went it passed through the Southeast on Aug. 30. That, so far, has turned out to be the area’s only threat of a tropical system this fall. It has been a positive development for growers who are on the verge of transplanting this year’s crop, says Chris Tyson, University of …

Cold-Hardy Citrus Growers Gather for Field Day

Web AdminCitrus, Events

Production in the cold-hardy citrus region was under the spotlight during a recent field day in Quincy, Florida. Growers and industry leaders visited the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) North Florida Research and Education Center (NFREC) to learn about various facets of citrus production. Topics like controlled-release fertilizers, crop diversification and implementation of artificial intelligence …

Wage Rate

GFVGA Advises Growers to Carefully Consider FLSP Program

Web AdminLabor, USDA

By Clint Thompson The Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA) cautions its specialty crop producers about participating in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Labor Stabilization and Protection Pilot Program (FLSP Program). The GFVGA wants growers to carefully consider what is required of their farming operations to participate in the grant program that will use up to $65 million …

selective focus photo of deer

Survey Says: Georgia Growers Asked About Impact of Deer

Web AdminGeorgia, Pests

Deer can be a destructive pest across all growers of the agricultural industry in Georgia. The Georgia Farm Bureau, Georgia Department of Agriculture and University of Georgia Cooperative Extension want to know how destructive. The three organizations are collaborating on a deer impact survey to help determine the financial losses due to deer in Georgia over the past five years. …

Season in Review: Blueberry Growers Can Learn More About Last Year During Annual Conference

Web AdminEvents, Florida

By Clint Thompson One of the featured presentations at the upcoming Florida Blueberry Growers Association Fall Conference and Trade Show will be a recap of the past season as well as what producers can look forward to next year with regards to pest and disease management and labor concerns. Doug Phillips, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences …

Florida Blueberry Growers Hope for a Better Season in 2024

Web AdminBlueberries

By Leonard Park The Florida blueberry season that began in the summer of 2022 culminated in one of the smallest spring harvests in years. The main culprit was Hurricane Ian. However, the lack of chill hours in December, followed by two harsh cold snaps over the holidays, affected other regions with damaged flower buds and crop delays. For most growers, …

Florida Strawberry Growers Experience Ideal Planting Conditions

Web AdminStrawberries

By Clint Thompson Strawberry planting has commenced across southern Florida. Growers have been met with ideal conditions so far, according to one producer. “It’s been great. We’ve had overcast days. It’s great planting weather over here,” said Matt Parke, farm manager of Parkesdale Farms in Plant City, Florida. “We’ve had some misty rains early on, a little bit of rain …