By Clint Thompson Florida blueberry growers should mark their calendars for various meetings scheduled this summer across the state. University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) has scheduled meetings for July 12 in Hardee County, July 14 in Lake County, July 19 in Polk County and July 21 in Alachua County. UF/IFAS scientists will address issues pertaining …
What’s Happening? Clemson Extension Agents Provide Crop Updates
Weekly Field Update Clemson Extension agents provide updates in The South Carolina Grower this week about the status of various crops being produced throughout the state. Statewide Tom Bilbo – Vegetable Entomologist Midlands Phillip Carnley Rob Last Pee Dee Bruce McLean Upstate Andy Rollins Sponsored ContentNew Syngenta Varieties Offer Grower SolutionsFebruary 1, 2026Attribute® II Technology Adds More Flexibility and Strength …
Spring Rains Impact N.C. Strawberry Crop
By Clint Thompson Persistent rainfall this spring put a damper on strawberry production in North Carolina (N.C.). It impacted the quality of the fruit and some patrons willing to come out to U-pick farms throughout the state, according to Austin Wrenn, president of the North Carolina Strawberry Association. “The worst was for our pick-your-own growers that were mostly direct to …
Clemson Extension Agents Provide Crop Updates
Weekly Field Update Clemson Extension agents provide updates in The South Carolina Grower this week about the status of various crops being produced throughout the state. Midlands Rob Last Sarah Scott Upstate Andy Rollins Sponsored ContentNew Syngenta Varieties Offer Grower SolutionsFebruary 1, 2026Attribute® II Technology Adds More Flexibility and Strength to Sweet Corn Pest ManagementJanuary 1, 2026Nuseed Carinata Covers New …
Specialty Crop’s Importance to Georgia
By Clint Thompson Georgia’s specialty crop sector remains vital to the state’s economy. Its value continues to grow in importance, according to Ben Campbell, associate professor in the University of Georgia (UGA) College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Ag and Applied Economics Department. “Specialty crops are a big player in the Ag industry. You think of greenhouses, you think of …
Out of Business: Gloomy Future for Florida Blueberry Farmers
By Clint Thompson Florida’s recent lack of success in profiting from its blueberry crop has prompted some farmers to leave the business altogether. “I already know of three farms for sale. I think you’re going to see a couple of people go out of business,” said Ryan Atwood, who lives in Mount Dora, Florida and farms 56 acres of blueberries, …
Sweet Grown Alabama Hosts State Legislators
To celebrate locally grown products and Alabama farmers, Sweet Grown Alabama, the state’s non-profit agricultural branding program, hosted a legislative luncheon on May 17. Members of the Alabama Legislature attended the luncheon at the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association in downtown Montgomery. Chef Preston Williams has built relationships with local farmers to highlight fresh produce and enjoys cooking with local products. “It’s …
Florida Blueberry Grower: “Wasn’t a Good Year for Florida”
By Clint Thompson Blueberry season has all but ended in Florida. Growers are taking stock of the season, which was impacted by the Christmas freeze event and a couple of freezes in March. One producer believes it wasn’t a good year for Florida. “We were down on our yield. We were a little late because of some of those freezes. …
Robotic Harvesters Could Be Challenge in Vegetable Production
By Clint Thompson Precision Ag innovations are needed for specialty crop producers to remain sustainable now and into the future. The only problem with that reality may be vegetable’s sensitivity. A robotic harvester may not be feasible for some of those crops because they could get damaged during harvest, believes Jessica Kirk, director of food safety and marketing at Lewis …
Don’t Miss the Deadline: Blueberry Commodity Commission Nominations Due by May 26
Any blueberry producer interested or knows someone that is interested in serving on the Georgia Agriculture Commodity Commission for Blueberries need to remember that nominations are due by Friday, May 26. Nomination forms can be found at – agr.georgia.gov/cpf, under the nomination form tab or by emailing andy.harrison@agr.georgia.gov. Nominations will be accepted through email or by mail at Andy Harrison, …