WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today an investment of more than $243 million in grants to support specialty crops, including fruits, vegetables, tree nuts and nursery crops through two USDA programs – the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program and the Specialty Crop Research Initiative grants program. USDA is investing $169.9 million through the Specialty Crop Block …
Political Divide: Politics Slowing Farm Workforce Modernization Act Progress
By Clint Thompson A Senate resolution to the Farm Workforce Modernization Act is much needed for the future of vegetable and specialty crop farming in Florida. There’s just no guarantee that one will be developed in the near future. Politics are playing a role in the process being slowed, almost to a halt, says Mike Joyner, Florida Fruit and Vegetable …
Watermelon Producer: Unknowns a Real Problem for Growers
By Clint Thompson The supply chain crisis that is gripping the U.S. is leaving watermelon farmers in a state of flux on how to proceed with the upcoming season. Florida growers are two months away from planting this year’s crop. Input costs and availability are on top of producers’ minds, says Lara Land, watermelon producer and executive council member of …
Chlorpyrifos Ban: Tolerances Don’t Expire Until Feb. 28
By Clint Thompson The final rule regarding the ban of chlorpyrifos by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) goes into effect on Friday, Oct. 29. However, Stormy Sparks, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension vegetable entomologist, reminds vegetable and specialty crop producers that the tolerances do not expire until Feb. 28. “(Feb. 28) is the date you lose the tolerance, but if …
Increased Blueberry Demand Helping Florida Growers
By Clint Thompson The increased marketing and promotion effort from the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) has helped offset some of the lost market share by Florida growers due to increased trade from Mexico. “The Florida blueberry industry has been through the ups and downs that the rest of agriculture in the U.S. has been through. One of the most …
UF Research: Bags on Peaches Help Keep Pests, Diseases Away
Peaches are popular, especially in the Southeast, with annual national production of about 806,000 tons. Growers can help keep pests and diseases from damaging the fruit by placing bags around individual peaches, University of Florida researchers say. David Campbell, a UF/IFAS post-doctoral researcher, led new research, funded by a U.S. Department of Agriculture Organic Research and Extension Initiative grant. UF/IFAS …
GFVGA Executive Director: Can’t Depend on Input Costs Dropping
By Clint Thompson Input costs are high right now for Georgia’s vegetable and specialty crop producers. Charles Hall, executive director of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA), says his farmers can’t bank on prices for freight, fertilizer, diesel and labor to decrease for the foreseeable future. “I don’t think you can depend on it going away. You’ve just …
Alabama Hemp Applications for 2022 Offered for Interested Growers
AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala. — Alabama specialty crop producers interested in growing hemp in 2022 can now apply during the enrollment period. Hemp applications are available through Nov. 29 for those wishing to become a grower or a processor/handler for the 2022 growing season. Applications will be accepted online through the Kelly Registration System (KRS). The application is available through the …
Elsa Aftermath: FDACS Responds to Secretarial Disaster Designation
Tallahassee, Fla. — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has informed Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) that it has granted a Secretarial disaster designation in several counties in Georgia and Florida due to losses caused by Tropical Storm Elsa, excessive wind, and excessive rainfall that occurred on July 7, 2021. …
NASS Conducting First Hemp Acreage and Production Survey
USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) sent out its first Hemp Acreage and Production Survey this week. Going to nearly 2,000 producers across Alabama, Florida, Georgia and South Carolina, this survey is designed to collect information on the total planted and harvested area, yield, production, and value of hemp in the U.S. “The Hemp Acreage and Production Survey will provide …