Exceptional Drought Observed in Southeast

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Clint Thompson Drought conditions remain a concern across the Southeast, according to the Nov. 27 release of the U.S. Drought Monitor. Conditions have worsened across South Georgia and North Florida. Exceptional drought conditions are observed in the southern halves of Decatur, Grady, Thomas and Brooks counties. They are also seen in the northern halves of Gadsden, Leon, Jefferson and …

La Niña Looms: Dry Conditions Could Worsen

Clint ThompsonAlabama, Florida, Georgia

By Clint Thompson A looming La Niña weather pattern means the current dry conditions across the Southeast are likely to worsen over the next couple of months, according to, Pam Knox, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension agricultural climatologist. “We’re going into a La Niña winter, and typically a La Niña winter means we are more likely to have a warmer …

Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: Sweet Grown Alabama Helping Producers Achieve Success

Clint ThompsonAlabama

By Frank Giles  Editor’s Note: This article is part of a series featuring state marketing programs across the Southeast.  While Sweet Grown Alabama considers itself a “new kid on the block” among state marketing programs, it has garnered a considerable following since its inception in 2019. Today, more than 500 farms, markets, product makers, stores and restaurants have joined the …

Drier Than Usual: UGA Extension Ag Climatologist Discusses Current Drought

Clint ThompsonDrought, Georgia

By Clint Thompson The fall part of the year is normally a dry time for the Southeast region. This year’s conditions have been drier than normal, however, according to Pam Knox, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension agricultural climatologist. “We’re a little stymied right now because a lot of the maps we usually look at haven’t been updated by NOAA which …

Trump Administration Delivers Second Stage of Crop Disaster Assistance for Farmers

Clint ThompsonLegislative

(Washington, D.C.) – President Donald J. Trump and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins continue to put Farmers First. On Monday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) continued to support farmers and will release billions of dollars in disaster assistance for those recovering from natural disasters across the country. “President Trump continues to put Farmers First and provide relief to …

Updated Drought Conditions Across Southeast

Clint ThompsonAlabama, Florida, Georgia

The southern part of the Southeast region is experiencing the driest conditions, according to the Nov. 13 release of the U.S. Drought Monitor. Extreme drought conditions are seen across South Georgia and North Florida, while severe drought is seen in the southeastern part of Alabama. South Georgia’s driest conditions start in Seminole and Early counties, expand eastward to Brantley and …

Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: New AEWR Methodology Announced for H-2A Program

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Frank Giles The rapid pace of changes to the H-2A program continued in October when the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced a new interim final rule that modifies the methodology for calculating the adverse effect wage rate (AEWR). The interim rule was necessary because: Agricultural industry associations welcomed the announcement as a step toward greater stability in the …

Ag Groups Urge USDA to Strengthen Buy American Rules for U.S. Schools

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Clint Thompson Multiple agricultural organizations, including the Florida Farm Bureau Federation, Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association and Alabama Farmers Federation, were part of a coalition that sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), urging the USDA to halt new waivers that weaken Buy American requirements for school food purchases. “For our industries, school meals represent a …

Specialty Crop Funding Will Help South Carolina Farmers

Clint ThompsonSouth Carolina

COLUMBIA – In September, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced $648,631 in funding awarded to South Carolina through the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. Through this program, the South Carolina Department of Agriculture funds projects that strengthen South Carolina’s specialty crop industry through marketing, education and research. Specialty crops include fruits, vegetables, tree nuts and nursery crops. “Our state’s specialty …

Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: Auburn University Focused on Artificial Intelligence

Clint ThompsonAlabama

By Clint Thompson Editor’s Note: This is the third article in a series featuring land-grant universities and plans to prepare for technological advancements. Auburn University and its College of Agriculture recognize the value of artificial intelligence (AI) and its role in helping farmers be more efficient and sustainable in their crop production. This was highlighted during the university’s AI Symposium …