The Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson and legislative leaders announced the launch of two agricultural disaster recovery programs with more than $112 million in funding to assist Florida farmers in rebuilding and recovering from Hurricane Idalia. Impacted agricultural producers can now apply for the Agriculture and Aquaculture Producers Natural Disaster Recovery Loan Program and the Silviculture Recovery Program. In …
Sweet Strawberry Season So Far in Florida
By Clint Thompson The Florida strawberry season has already been deemed successful with its sensational quality. That sweet success is likely to continue as the market continues to support strong supply. “Beautiful, absolutely beautiful,” said Kenneth Parker, executive director of the Florida Strawberry Growers Association (FSGA_, regarding this year’s crop. “I would suggest that the cooler temperatures have definitely been …
South Florida’s Top Weeds in Sweet Corn
By Calvin Odero Weed management is essential in sweet corn production to maximize yield and quality. Effective weed management practices minimize competition for nutrients, water and sunlight and help prevent diseases and pests that often thrive in weed-infested fields. Sweet corn weed management programs in South Florida are mainly comprised of chemical weed control, which includes pre-emergent herbicides applied after …
Legislation Filed to Support, Grow Florida Ag
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson, Senator Jay Collins, and Representative Danny Alvarez announced the filing of legislation last December to support Florida agriculture and Florida’s farmers, ranchers, and growers. Commissioner Wilton Simpson said, “This legislation reflects our continued commitment to supporting and protecting Florida’s farmers, ranchers, and growers, enhancing consumer protection and transparency, and building upon …
Powdery Mildew Disease Resistance Concerning for Florida Watermelon Producers
By Clint Thompson North Florida watermelon growers should be cautious about powdery mildew disease heading into the upcoming season. Its potential resistance to fungicide applications has industry experts like Nick Dufalt wary with the start of the season just a couple of months away. Dufalt, a plant pathologist with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, talked …
Florida Farmers Can Join the TEAM Soon
Florida farmers can apply for the Farm Tax Exempt Agricultural Materials (TEAM) Card beginning Jan. 1, 2024, to use for sales-tax-exempt purchases of agricultural materials. The plastic wallet-sized Florida Farm TEAM Card is a physical alternative to the paper exemption certificates. “I am pleased to make this exciting announcement that will help to alleviate administrative burdens felt by farmers and …
Florida Farmer Resorts to Processing Due to Recent Rains
By Clint Thompson Florida strawberry growers are still feeling the impact of inclement weather last weekend. Dustin Grooms with Fancy Farms in Plant City, Florida, confirmed on Wednesday that he is processing strawberries this week that were damaged by rainfall. The damage was restricted to one variety, but that still involves a lot of acreage. “Going back and checking the …
Anxious Season Ahead for North Florida Watermelon Growers
By Clint Thompson An exciting but anxious season awaits watermelon farmers in the Suwanee Valley region of North Florida. That is the mindset shared by one industry expert who is concerned about what a potential increase in acres will mean for the market in the spring. Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized …
Adverse Weather Conditions Challenging Florida Strawberry Producers
By Clint Thompson Wet weather in recent weeks has challenged strawberry production in South Florida. One grower is forced to throw away a substantial amount of one variety because of rain damage. “We’re picking (Monday). We’re definitely a little bit wetter,” said Dustin Grooms with Fancy Farms in Plant City, Florida. “We took a lot of rain damage. Going around …
Florida Bamboo Growers Association Hosts Second Annual Meeting
The Florida Bamboo Growers Association (FBGA) recently held its second annual meeting at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Gulf Coast Research and Education Center in Wimauma. The meeting was well attended and provided educational content for its burgeoning membership. The association is growing quickly, expanding its membership by 63% from the first year. FBGA …