By Clint Thompson Powdery mildew disease is present on older squash in various vegetable fields across South Florida. According to the South Florida Vegetable Pest and Disease Hotline, respondents report that the disease has also started to show up on watermelon crops across the region as well. It’s also reported that powdery mildew is showing up on squash and cantaloupe …
Let the Peach Harvest Season Begin
By Clint Thompson Those peach lovers ready for a ripe, juicy peach won’t have to wait too much longer. Peach harvest season is just a few days away, says Jeff Cook, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources agent for Peach and Taylor counties. “If they’re not picking any by Friday, they’ll be picking some by Monday,” Cook …
Sulfur Applications Help Protect Grapes Against Powdery Mildew
By Clint Thompson University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Fruit Disease Specialist Phil Brannen believes grape producers can better protect their crop against powdery mildew disease and preserve essential fungicides with sulfur applications. Brannen believes sulfur is a viable alternative that growers need to utilize, especially since resistance has developed in two different classes of chemicals. Those classes are the quinone …
Drought Still a Problem for Florida
By Clint Thompson Even with much-needed rainfall this week and more expected this weekend, Florida remains in a drought; severe in some cases. The southern portions of the state and along the peninsula will remain drier than normal for the foreseeable future, according to Pam Knox, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension state climatologist, . “I’ve been watching the drought in …
Farmers Markets Still Option for Produce Growers
By Clint Thompson Produce farmers in the Southeast are struggling with markets that have disappeared because of the loss of restaurants and closure of schools amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. But Max Runge, Extension specialist in agricultural economics and rural sociology at Auburn University, believes farmers markets remain a viable option for fruit and vegetable growers, especially those who operate …
Digital Resources Available for Specialty Crop Producers, Gardeners and Consumers
By Dr. Ayanava Majumdar, Extension Professor, Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Auburn University The Alabama Extension Commercial Horticulture Team is comprised of 27 members in the horticulture and food production industry. Amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, we have to remember that food production or farming doesn’t stop; therefore, we have started some educational activities that …
U-Pick Farms Feeling Impact of Coronavirus Pandemic
By Clint Thompson Agribusinesses that offer U-pick farms are not immune to the devastating impact of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Cassie Young and sister Allie Logan own Backyard Orchards in Eufaula, Alabama. Backyard Orchards has closed the U-pick part of its operation but continues to sell strawberries via social media, mainly Facebook. It also has a store with a commercial …
Fruits and Vegetables Next Stop on AFF’s Virtual Field Trip
By Clint Thompson Children quarantined at home because of the coronavirus pandemic have a unique opportunity to learn about fruits and vegetables via social media. Alabama farmers, including Allie Logan and sister Cassie Young, will teach about fruits and vegetables as part of an ongoing virtual field trip offered through the Alabama Farmers Federation Facebook page, on Friday, April 10. …
Heroes in our Food System COVID-19 Pandemic
By Kristin Woods, Alabama Extension With Alabama’s production season getting into full swing, it is important to know that our growers and industry leaders are making sure that safety is not affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Because COVID-19 is a respiratory disease, there is no indication that it is infectious through food or food packaging. The highly trained food system …
Fruit and Vegetables Are Still Safe to Eat
By Clint Thompson Even during times of global fear of the current coronavirus pandemic, fruit and vegetables are safe to eat, says Kristin Woods, Alabama Regional Extension agent, who specializes in food safety. That’s the message she is trying to convey to consumers who are fearful of the produce being sold in supermarkets and grocery stores. “The kind of information …