FAE General Session Covers Wide Range of Topics

Clint ThompsonFlorida Ag Expo

By Frank Giles The Florida Ag Expo (FAE) kicked off its educational program with a welcome from Rob Gilbert, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) dean of research and interim head. Gilbert said the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center (GCREC), where the Expo is held, embodies the university’s commitment toward investing in technological advancements. GCREC …

Trade’s Impact: Joyner Testifies to Florida Senate Agriculture Committee

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Clint Thompson Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association (FFVA) President Mike Joyner continues to do his part in ensuring specialty crop producers in his state have a sustainable future. Part of that is educating legislative leaders about the dangers of relying on other countries for fresh fruits and vegetables. At least one Florida senator agrees. It’s become a national security …

Ag Workforce Solutions Remain Elusive

Web AdminAgri-business, Labor

By Frank Giles Southeastern specialty crop growers have been seeking reform in farm labor policy for many years. Because of its nexus with immigration policy, meaningful solutions have been hard to come by. Proposals have been put forth, but partisan politics see those efforts stall. That has forced many growers to utilize the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) H-2A visa …

‘Positive’ Start for Florida Tomato Harvests

Web AdminFlorida, Tomatoes

By Clint Thompson Tomato harvests are well under way across Florida. One industry expert likes the quality and quantity of this year’s fall crop. Bob Spencer, president of West Coast Tomato in Palmetto, Florida, discussed the outlook facing Florida growers. “We started up about a week and a half, two weeks ago. We’ve had decent yields for the fall; I …

Minor Crop Farmer Alliance Issues Letter to EPA

Web AdminHerbicides

The Minor Crop Farmer Alliance (MCFA), an alliance of national and regional organizations, is concerned about the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) draft Herbicide Strategy Framework (HSF). The alliance recently expressed its concerns in a letter to the EPA. “If finalized as proposed, the approach reflected in the draft HSF will likely result in significant burdens for growers throughout the …

Sneak Peek: November 2023 Specialty Crop Industry Magazine

Clint ThompsonSneak peek

By Will Jordan The November 2023 Specialty Crop Industry Magazine will be hitting mailboxes and inboxes soon! Elias Eldayrie, University of Florida Vice President of Information Technology and Chief Information Officer, shares how the hot technology of Artificial Intelligence is set to “supercharge” ag research, improve learning and benefit the specialty crop industry. Rebeckah Adcock, International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) …

Seminar Sessions Scheduled for Upcoming Florida Ag Expo

Web AdminEvents, Florida Ag Expo

By Clint Thompson Seminar sessions are scheduled for the upcoming Florida Ag Expo, slated for Thursday, Nov. 9, at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Gulf Coast Research and Education Center in Wimauma, Florida. Josh McGill, show director for AgNet Media, highlights what attendees can expect with the general session in the morning and breakout …

Citrus Display Season Is Here

Web AdminCitrus

By Peter Chaires Each year, the citrus breeding teams provide opportunities for interested parties to sample fruit from new and recent selections. This is a great opportunity to keep current on the results of this research. Some of these events also include field tours and opportunities to see the trees. A significant effort is being made to accelerate the identification …

U.S. Specialty Crop Coalition Endorses Legislation Addressing Research, Nutrition and Trade 

Web AdminLegislative, Research

The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance (SCFBA), a national coalition of more than 200 specialty crop organizations representing growers of fruits, vegetables, dried fruit, tree nuts, nursery plants and other products, endorsed legislation that would address major priorities tied to research, nutrition and trade laid out in the group’s 2023 Farm Bill recommendations:  “The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance has …

Commerce Department Investigation Could Impact Tomato Trade Pact

Web AdminTomatoes

The U.S. Department of Commerce opened an investigation by the request of the Florida Tomato Exchange (FTE) that could result in anti-dumping duties on Mexican tomatoes. In June of 2023, FTE filed a request to eliminate the 2019 Tomato Suspension Agreement. The purpose behind this request was to end the unfair trading pattern between the U.S. tomato industry and the …