Strength in Numbers: Specialty Crop Coalition Focusing Solely on AEWR

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson One group, one shared message. That is what makes a 38-group coalition, including the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA), stand out. It continues its unified pursuit for a fair and reasonable adverse effect wage rate (AEWR) within the H-2A. “There’s so much good work going on in this space by various groups across the industry, …

USDA Launches Final Phase of 2025 Agricultural Resource Management Survey

Clint ThompsonUSDA

WASHINGTON – Beginning in late December, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will spend several months gathering information about farm economics from farmers and ranchers throughout the United States, as the agency conducts the third and final phase of the 2025 Agricultural Resource Management Survey (ARMS). “The data will help inform decisions on local and federal …

Strawberry Update in Alabama

Clint ThompsonAlabama

By Clint Thompson Strawberry production is progressing in Alabama. Growers who received their plants and put them in the ground in a timely fashion have an advantage over those who didn’t, according to Edgar Vinson, assistant research professor and Extension specialist in the Department of Horticulture at Auburn University. “The earlier that you can get the strawberry plants in the …

Drought Monitor Update Across Southeast

Clint ThompsonFlorida

Drought conditions continue to improve across the Southeast, according to the Dec. 24 release of the U.S. Drought Monitor. The driest area in the region is still observed in South Georgia and North Florida. Extreme drought conditions in South Georgia include parts of Decatur, Grady, Thomas and Brooks counties. Extreme drought conditions in North Florida include all or parts of …

Early Watermelon Plantings the Norm in North Florida

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Clint Thompson As soon as North Florida watermelon producers can get their plants in the ground, the sooner they can harvest their crop amid a tight marketing window. So, it has been no surprise to see so many farmers start their planting seasons earlier and earlier in recent years. But that has been the case and will likely happen again …

Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: Certified South Carolina Connects Growers, Consumers

Clint ThompsonSouth Carolina

By Frank Giles Editor’s Note: This article is part of a series featuring state marketing programs in the Southeast.  South Carolina is home to a diverse array of specialty crop growers. Those growers have access to a marketing program called Certified South Carolina to help promote their products and bring exposure to their farms. The South Carolina Department of Agriculture …

Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: Optimizing Federal Food Program Spending Benefits U.S. Growers

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Frank Giles America’s farm and food policy is a complicated business. It is a constantly shifting landscape, especially under President Trump’s tariff-driven approach. To stay up to date on these matters, I recommend following the work of Daniel Munch, economist for the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF). He has spoken at a couple of AgNet Media events and always …

Drought Monitor Update: Recent Rains Erase Exceptional Drought in Southeast

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Clint Thompson Heavy rains during the Dec. 6-7 weekend reduced some of the drought being experienced across the Southeast. According to the Dec. 11 release of the U.S. Drought Monitor, there are not any exceptional drought areas across South Georgia and North Florida. Those areas are still highlighted by extreme drought designations. Georgia Extreme drought in South Georgia includes …

Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: School Cafeterias Offer New Markets for Growers

Clint ThompsonSouth Carolina

The Last WordBy Hugh E. Weathers Two areas in which specialty crop growers often tell us they want more assistance with are finding new markets and scaling up production. In South Carolina, we’re rolling out a new market opportunity called Certified SC Cafeteria. I think it will address both of these grower needs. Certified South Carolina, our state’s agricultural branding …