Many specialty crops grown in the Southeast rely on plasticulture systems to optimize production. Key components of those systems include the mulch itself and other elements such as stakes utilized in crops like tomato and pepper. Paper Mulch For years, growers and agricultural researchers have studied ways to reduce waste in these systems to lessen costs and environmental impacts. Some …
How Dry Is It? North Alabama Farmers in ‘Water Conservation Mode’
By Clint Thompson The prolonged dry conditions in Northeast Alabama has forced the region’s fruit and vegetable growers to preserve what moisture remains in the ground, according to Eric Schavey, regional Extension agent in Northeast Alabama. “For the month of August, everybody was just kind of riding it out. They hadn’t worked any ground, because they’re trying to let it …
Drying Up: Rain Needed for Vegetable Production
By Clint Thompson Prolonged periods of dry weather are not the worst thing for specialty crop growers. Most will say they prefer to apply their own water instead of having too much rainfall. It minimizes the disease pressure that producers have to manage. But there is such a scenario where a little rain would be welcomed, says Ty Torrance, University …
Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: Expo Provides Plethora of Educational Presentations
By Frank Giles, Tacy Callies and Clint Thompson This year’s Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo in Tampa provided an extensive seminar program and various opportunities for growers to network with their peers. Educational programming focused on industry issues, citrus production, specialty crops and alternative crops. General Session The event’s general session touched on various topics like the farm economy, labor …
Drought Impacting Alabama Fruit, Vegetable Production
By Clint Thompson Increased drought across Alabama means fruit and vegetable producers are more likely to treat for insects than for any potential disease buildup. The lack of rain, as evidenced by the Sept. 11 release of the U.S. Drought Monitor, means diseases lack the necessary moisture to build up. However, it poses increased risk for insect pressure, says Jacob …
Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: AEWR Ruling a Win for Agriculture
By Frank Giles There has been a lot of breaking news on the labor front lately. More came down just as we were set to send this issue to the printer. In late August, a federal court in Louisiana vacated the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) 2023 Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) Methodology rule. Opponents of the methodology applauded the …
Drought Update: Lack of Rain Leads to Worsening Conditions Across Southeast
By Clint Thompson The lack of rain in recent weeks has led to drought conditions worsening across the Southeast, according to the Sept. 11 release of the U.S. Drought Monitor. Abnormally dry conditions in Alabama start in the southwest part of the state in Mobile and Baldwin counties and expand northward to Colbert and Lauderdale counties. Severe and moderate drought …
Farm to School Grants Supporting Producers, Children
(Washington, D.C.) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is delivering on its commitment to support child health and American agriculture by opening applications for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grants. Through this grant opportunity, USDA will invest up to $18 million in farm to school projects that connect farmers to USDA’s child nutrition programs …
South Carolina Farmers, Homeowners Can Dispose of Waste Pesticides on Sept. 16
COLUMBIA – The South Carolina Department of Agriculture (SCDA) is offering the opportunity to safely dispose of outdated, unusable, or unwanted pesticides at an upcoming event. It is scheduled for: September 16, 2025 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Carolina Fresh Farms 1335 E Pine Log Rd Aiken, South Carolina 29803 The pesticide and chemical program is only open to farmers and homeowners. …
$221 Million USDA Disaster Relief Block Grant for North Carolina Announced
FLETCHER – North Carolina Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden signed a $221 million federal block grant agreement last week that targets aid to the state’s farmers who sustained losses and damages from Hurricane Helene in 2024. The signing took place at the N.C. Mountain State Fair in Fletcher. The North Carolina …



















