By Clint Thompson Extreme drought conditions are still prevalent throughout North Florida, expanding from the Panhandle all the way as far south as Citrus and Sumter counties, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. They are challenging conditions for the watermelon producers in the Suwanee Valley who are beginning to plant this year’s crop. Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of …
Georgia Hurricane Helene Block Grant Applications Open March 16
ATLANTA – Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler J Harper announced this week that Georgia farmers, ranchers and foresters in eligible counties that have suffered losses in timber, infrastructure, poultry, beef cattle, dairy cattle, milk loss, dairy feed loss, pecans, blueberries, citrus, nursery, plasticulture and bare ground practices due to Hurricane Helene may apply for assistance through Georgia’s Hurricane Helene Block Grant Program. …
GFVGA Roundtable Discussion: Pleas Made for Permanent Change to AEWR
By Clint Thompson The Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA) helped host a roundtable discussion with legislators in Washington D.C. on Feb. 24. The issue, which was discussed among members with the Ag Wage Reform Coalition, centered on the H-2A program, specifically the adverse effect wage rate (AEWR). Sam Watson, president of the GFVGA, recapped the meeting and the …
Crossover Day Looms for Georgia Legislature
By Clint Thompson One of the pivotal points in the Georgia legislative calendar happens this week with Crossover Day scheduled for Friday, March 6. It’s an important date for every legislative session where proposed bills must be passed out of their respective chambers, explains Georgia Agribusiness Council (GAC) President Will Bentley. “Crossover day is a date set by the legislature …
Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: One Pill Kills
By Frank Giles I’ve been attending the Southeast Regional Fruit & Vegetable Conference in Savannah for nearly 20 years. This year, like always, it was a great event where I learned a lot. But in all those years, I can’t recall sitting in on a presentation that was as emotionally challenging and as important as one I attended this year. …
Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: Building Tech Tools Growers Can Use
By Frank Giles Editor’s Note: This is the fourth article in a series featuring land-grant universities and plans to prepare for technological advancements. Clemson University has been a center for agricultural research since its founding in 1889. The school’s College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences and its Cooperative Extension Service actively conduct research and outreach to support farmers, agribusinesses …
Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: Can MAHA Move the Needle on Sales?
By Frank Giles When President Trump appointed Robert Kennedy Jr. to lead the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), it was a clear signal that it would not be business as usual at the agency charged with “improving the health, safety and well-being of America.” With a budget of about $2 trillion, HHS has significant sway in American …
Georgia Blueberry Growers Hoping to Dodge Late-Season Freeze
By Clint Thompson Blueberry harvests are still multiple months away for Georgia producers. But the most significant factor that could impact this year’s crop is just a couple of months away. Georgia growers are hoping to dodge a late-season freeze event that could impact what blueberries are produced this year. Zack Williams, University of Georgia Bacon County Extension Coordinator, discussed …
Dry Conditions Expected to Continue
By Clint Thompson Current dry conditions in the Southeast region are expected to stay that way for the next couple of months. This is according to Pam Knox, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension agricultural climatologist. She noted in the UGA Climate Blog that the NOAA Climate Prediction Center forecasts drier than normal conditions, especially in Georgia, Alabama and the Florida …
Drought Monitor Update: Extreme Conditions Observed Throughout Southeast Region
By Clint Thompson The Southeast region continues to observe expansion of extreme drought throughout North Florida and South Florida, along with South Georgia. This is according to the Feb. 19 release of the U.S. Drought Monitor. Florida Extreme conditions in the Florida Panhandle start as far west in Walton and Holmes counties, stretching eastward to Nassau, Duval and Saint Johns …



















