$314 Million Agriculture Technology Campus a Big Win for Local Food COLUMBIA – A 1,000-acre agribusiness cluster in Hampton County, South Carolina will employ 1,547 people in growing, packing and shipping tomatoes, leafy greens, blueberries and other fresh produce – using a cutting-edge approach called Controlled Environment Agriculture. The $314 million Agriculture Technology Campus is a joint venture encompassing multiple …
Auburn Economist Encouraged by Federal Agencies’ Plan of Action
One economist in the Southeast is encouraged by the plan to address the threat of increased foreign imports to U.S. producers of seasonal fruits and vegetables. Adam Rabinowitz, Auburn University Assistant Professor and Extension economist, believes the hearings held in August for Florida and Georgia producers opened communications and led to a report released by the Office of the U.S. …
Commissioner Black Pleased with Announcement from USTR
Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black is pleased farmers and agricultural leaders have a seat at the decision-making table again. The agreement to have the August hearings that focused on unfair trade practices involving foreign produce and included testimonies from farmers and industry leaders from Florida and Georgia was a “positive step,” he said. This led to a plan of action, …
Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association Commends USTR
MAITLAND, FL (Sept. 1, 2020) – The Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association commended the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Commerce on Tuesday for their plan to begin remedying the immense harm to produce growers in Florida and elsewhere caused by unfair trade practices and harmful import volumes from Mexico and other …
Federal Agencies Outline Plan to Help Farmers of Seasonal and Perishable Fruits and Vegetables
Washington, DC — The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, the Department of Agriculture, and the Department of Commerce released a report today outlining the Trump Administration’s plan to address the threat posed by increased foreign imports to American producers of seasonal and perishable fruits and vegetables. The plan follows public hearings held in August where more than 60 witnesses …
Sneak Peek: September 2020 VSCNews Magazine
The September issue of VSCNews magazine is packed with information about breeding updates and new varieties. Readers can see what’s new in strawberries, blueberries, blackberries and cucurbits. Breeding new varieties is a vital component to push agriculture forward. The University of Florida (UF) is a leader in the breeding industry. Recently, blackberries have emerged as an alternative crop in Florida. …
Mexican Exports Eroding Florida Specialty Crop Markets
By Tacy Callies Florida fruit and vegetable growers are acutely aware of the negative impacts that Mexico’s exports have had on their ability to remain competitive. In a recent virtual presentation on the subject, Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association President Mike Joyner shared some shocking statistics from a Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) report. Published in July, …
Georgia Ag Leaders Call for Healthy, Fair Trade
Georgia producers and industry leaders had their turn to testify on Thursday during a virtual hearing with the U.S. Trade Representative’s Office about unfair trade practices with Mexico. The hearings provided the U.S. Department of Commerce and Trump Administration an opportunity to hear from growers in Georgia about the urgent need for federal action regarding unfair trade. This was the …
Collins Testifies on Mexico’s Unfair Trade Practices During Virtual Hearing on Seasonal Produce
Raises concern over Mexico’s unfair trade practices and its effect on Georgia farmers ATLANTA, Ga. – Rep. Doug Collins (R-Ga.) testified today on Mexico’s unfair trade practices that are severely and negatively impacting Georgia’s seasonal and perishable produce farmers during a virtual hearing hosted by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and …
Georgia Blueberry Producer: You Don’t Have to Have a Ph.D. in Economics to See What’s happening
Russ Goodman Talks About Impact of Unfair Trade Ahead of Thursday’s Virtual Hearing A prominent blueberry producer in Southeast Georgia believes the future of the American family farm could hinge on any action taken as a result of the virtual hearing scheduled for Thursday. Russ Goodman is one of several farmers and industry leaders in Georgia who will testify in …