RALEIGH – The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services announced that 16 specialty crop projects have received more than $2.9 million in USDA grants in 2021. Projects included new research on reusing old greenhouse structures for strawberry production, how to limit insecticide usage that can harm pollinators, addressing health and safety concerns for farm workers, and consumer awareness campaigns …
DOL Extends Comment Period for Rulemaking to Protect Workers from Heat
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration is extending the period for submitting comments on the Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Outdoor and Indoor Work Settings. Comments on the ANPRM must now be submitted by Jan. 26, 2022. The 30-day extension provides stakeholders more time to review the …
Labor Crisis: Farmers Need to Vocalize Concerns for Reform to Occur
By Clint Thompson Southeast producers who have concerns over the proposed Farm Workforce Modernization Act are encouraged to voice their displeasure to members of Congress. It is the only way real change can be made with the current Ag labor system, says Bob Redding, who works for the Redding Firm and serves as a lobbyist for agricultural groups in Washington, …
DOL Extends Comment Period for COVID Vaccination, Testing ETS
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Occupational Safety and Health Administration has extended the comment period for the COVID-19 vaccination and testing emergency temporary standard (ETS) to Jan. 19, 2022. OSHA extended the comment period by 45 days to allow stakeholders additional time to review the ETS and collect information and data necessary for comment. Submit comments identified …
AgNet Media Magazine Gets New Name
Beginning in January 2022, Vegetable and Specialty Crops News (VSCNews) will have a new name. The monthly trade magazine that debuted from AgNet Media four years ago will become Specialty Crop Industry. Not only is the new name more concise, but it also more accurately reflects the scope of the magazine’s content and audience. Although AgNet Media is dropping the …
UF Faculty Part of National Team Awarded $7.5 Million USDA-NIFA Grant
HOMESTEAD, Fla. – A University of Florida plant pathologist is part of a national team studying ambrosia beetles in fruit trees and woody ornamental crops, thanks to a $7.5 million federal grant. University of Florida (UF) plant pathologist Romina Gazis, who studies fungal-associated diseases affecting many types of tropical and subtropical crops, and her colleagues received a grant from the …
New Species: UGA Researchers Discover ‘Onion Devourer’ Bacteria
University of Georgia researchers have identified a new species of bacteria, which they have named Pseudomonas alliivorans — from “allium vorans,” which translates as onion devourer or eater. As part of a multistate, four-year project, UGA Cooperative Extension vegetable disease specialist Bhabesh Dutta and his team surveyed onions at every stage of production — from seedling to mature bulb and …
USDA RMA Hosting Listening Sessions for Fresh Market Sweet Corn Producers
Fresh market sweet corn producers are invited to participated in listening sessions with Agralytica, who is working under contract for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Risk Management Agency. The sessions are for fresh market sweet corn producers in areas covered by the Fresh Market Sweet Corn Dollar Plan of Insurance, as well as industry members and regional insurance representatives. Feedback …
Florida, Georgia Remain Top Users of H-2A Program
Florida and Georgia remained the top two users of the H-2A program, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, as of Sept. 30, 2021. For the fiscal year (FY) 2021, the number of certified positions for Florida numbered 44,706, or 14.1% of the total certified in FY 2021. Georgia was second with 35,205 positions or 11.1%. The other top states …
Fresh Vegetable Imports Continue to Increase
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service, fresh vegetable imports continued to increase in 2021, compared to the previous three years. Tomatoes’ import value in 2021 was approximately $2.1 billion, compared to $1.8 billion in 2018. Tomato imports were estimated at 3.2 billion pounds in 2021, compared to 3.1 billion in 2018. Cucumbers’ value was $0.7 billion …