COLUMBIA — From the field to the table, food distribution in South Carolina was strengthened in 2020. It was due in large part to the South Carolina Food Hub Network. It assisted food distributors in the Palmetto State buy and distribute more than $1.3 million of food grown in South Carolina. This strengthened local food systems and aided farmers during …
Wacky Weather: Alabama Planting Season Nears Amid Excessive Rainfall, Drought
Planting season nears for Alabama vegetable producers. Once again, weather will play a key role as farmers prepare to plant this spring’s crops. Joe Kemble, Alabama Extension vegetable specialist, implores producers to wait until soil temperatures increase above a certain level and stay that way for several days straight. That will be a better environment for seed to germinate and …
Looming Deadline: GFVGA Survey Due Friday
The Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA) wants Ag workers protected during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. As vaccinations continue to be administered across the country, the GFVGA is emphasizing the importance of essential Ag workers. This includes family, full-time employees and seasonal employees comprised of domestic, migrant and H-2A employees. GFVGA is administering a survey that will help inform …
Pecan Promotions: USDA Seeks Nominees for Board
Southeast pecan producers interested in serving on the American Pecan Promotion Board can submit a nomination no later than March 26. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is seeking nominations for the board under the Pecan Promotion, Research, and Information Order. The board will be comprised of 17 members; 10 producers and seven importers. The producers …
‘Protect Your Peach’: GDA Launches New Campaign
Georgia Department of Agriculture ATLANTA – The Georgia Department of Agriculture wants Georgians to ‘Protect the Peach.’ The new campaign is implemented to help inform rural Georgians about the best ways to protect their communities amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. GDA’s Georgia Grown program has partnered with Georgia Farm Bureau, the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service and state commodity …
Using Pesticides Wisely: UGA, GDA Offering Program in March, April
For the second straight year, the Using Pesticides Wisely program will be offered in a virtual format amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The training, which is offered by the University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension and Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA), will be offered on 11 different dates in March and April. University of Georgia Extension weed specialist Stanley Culpepper …
United Fresh Releases 2020 Fourth Quarter Report
Fresh produce continues its steady growth at retail, with increased sales for fruits and vegetables during the fourth quarter of 2020. That’s according to a new report from United Fresh, detailing the fourth quarter of last year and the 2020 year-end report. Among the fourth quarter highlights, both fruits and vegetables continued to grow as sales surged across categories driven …
Onion Disease Management in Georgia
By Bhabesh Dutta The climate prevalent in the Vidalia onion zone (southeastern Georgia) is conducive to many diseases. Among the diseases, those that are caused by bacteria and fungi are the prominent ones. Some of the diseases caused by water molds or oomycetes (Pythium damping-off and downy mildew) can also be seen periodically. Based on my experience as a vegetable …
Need to Know: Alabama Hemp Production Facts
Alabama producers who plan to produce hemp in the future need to have a clue about what their production is intended for, says Gail Ellis, hemp program manager at the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI). “What I’ve tried to tell everybody that gets in hemp, the more you know about what you want to do in hemp is …
Frozen: Peach Producers Have Limited Options Against Late Freeze
Some things are inevitable every year for Southeast peach producers. That late-season frost event that could damage peach production for the upcoming season unfortunately tops the list. Even though chill hours are no longer a concern, peach farmers are worried that if temperatures warm up in the next several weeks their crop would be vulnerable to a late freeze. “Unfortunately, …