This latest decision has been made regarding the longstanding argument between Florida and Georgia about water issues growing more complex as populations boom in these two deep southeastern states. In The Supreme Court of the United States ——————————— * ——————————— STATE OF FLORIDA, Plaintiff, v. STATE OF GEORGIA, Defendant. ——————————— * ——————————— CHAMBERS OF THE SPECIAL MASTER ——————————— * ——————————— …
Certified Seed for Hemp Explained
By Ernie Neff Many farmers looking at hemp as a potential alternative crop in Florida have been confused by the requirement that the hemp come from certified seed. Adam Elend, CEO of Florigrown, LLC, explains what certified seed is and is not. “The idea of certified seed is creating a lot of consternation among farmers,” Elend says. “I think that …
Sustainable Agriculture Systems in Organic Production
By Ayanava Majumdar Organic farming, as part of a sustainable agriculture system, emphasizes profitable farming, good stewardship of natural resources (land, air and water) and high quality of life for everyone involved from production to consumption. Today, organic food is one of the fastest growing agricultural sectors. In fact, organic food demand is currently outpacing availability of organic crops. So, …
Disaster Areas Declared in Georgia Due to Drought
Emergency Support to Producers in Surrounding Counties/Border States Also Available (USDA/FSA) — Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue designated 13 Georgia counties as primary natural disaster areas. Producers in Barrow, Clarke, Dade, Greene, Hancock, Morgan, Oconee, Oglethorpe, Putnam, Taliaferro, Walker, Walton and Warren who suffered losses due to recent drought may be eligible for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency …
Minimizing Specialty Crop Impacts From Flooding
By Kristin Woods, Achyut Adhikari, Alex Castillo, Travis Chapin, Michelle Danyluk, Audrey Gamble and T. Matthew Taylor Growers around the southern region are gearing up for a rainy fall. Preparing for and/or reacting to flooding is unfortunately part of the season. Knowing the food safety risks and regulations and having a proactive plan in place ahead of time can help …
ADAI Now Accepting Applications for the 2020 Industrial Hemp Program
The Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries (ADAI) is now accepting hemp applications from eligible growers, processors/handlers and universities. The application period began Oct. 7, and the final day to apply is Nov. 14. In 2016, the Alabama Legislature passed the Alabama Industrial Hemp Research Program Act, Section 2-8-380 Code of Alabama 1975, tasking ADAI with the development of a …
Sneak Peek: October VSCNews Magazine
The October issue of VSCNews magazine touches on a variety of topics, including post-harvest protection, dormancy induction in blueberries and a strawberry spotlight. The Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) was created in order to promote free and fair trade of U.S. agricultural commodities. Travis Hubbs, chief of the Investigative Enforcement Branch in the PACA Division of the U.S. Department of …
‘A Big Leap in the Insect-Monitoring World’
All insect management usually begins with some sort of monitoring technique. Traditionally, growers have used sticky wing traps or bucket traps. But, according to Ayanava Majumdar, entomologist with the Alabama Cooperative Extension system, there are insect-monitoring technologies that could be helpful to growers. Majumdar says that there are two automated insect traps on the market right now that he has …
Industry Responds to EPA WOTUS Announcement
(Washington, D.C. (USDA-September 12, 2019) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue praised the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for taking another step to fulfill President Trump’s pledge to repeal and replace the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule. “Repealing the WOTUS rule is a major win for American agriculture. The extreme overreach from the past Administration had government taking …
Alfa Awards Honor Researchers, Extension Specialists For Helping Farmers
Alabama Farmers Federation – The Alabama Farmers Federation honored two Auburn University (AU) and Extension professionals for work tangibly affecting farmers and agriculture with inaugural Alfa Awards, presented before hundreds of growers at the Commodity Producers Conference in Chattanooga Aug. 1. Dr. Kim Mullenix received the Alfa Award For Production Agriculture & Forestry Research, while Dr. Ayanava Majumdar earned the …