By Clint Thompson According to the latest release of the U.S. Drought Monitor, almost all of the Southeast is experiencing some level of dry conditions. All of Florida is either abnormally dry or moderately dry. The worst conditions are observed in the Florida Panhandle and Northeast Florida. Moderate conditions start in Escambia County and stretch eastward to Gadsden, Liberty and …
AEWR Increases Renews Pleas for Transparency
By Clint Thompson Next year’s increases of the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) is further evidence transparency is needed from the Department of Labor about how it justifies substantial pay increases for H-2A workers. Georgia and Alabama are experiencing 9% increases to $16.08, while Florida’s new AEWR is estimated to be $16.23, a 10% increase from the $14.77 rate in …
Farm Service Agency: MASC Program Applications Accepted Through Jan. 8, 2025
Specialty crop producers should be mindful that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is now accepting applications for the Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops (MASC) program. Sign-up started on Dec. 10. Applications are due to the USDA’s Farm Service Agency through Jan. 8, 2025. MASC provides financial assistance to specialty crop growers to help them expand domestic markets or develop …
Chill Effect: Recent Cold Weather Benefits Alabama Peach Trees
By Clint Thompson Last week was a welcome sight for Alabama’s peach producers. Multiple cold days in a row allowed the state’s peach trees to catch up in accumulating chill hours. Edgar Vinson, assistant research professor and Extension specialist in the Department of Horticulture at Auburn University, provided an outlook on where chilling stands in the state. “We were quite …
Helene Aftermath: Georgia Gov. Kemp Pleads for Federal Assistance As Soon As Possible
By Clint Thompson Georgia Governor Brian Kemp pleaded for federal hurricane disaster relief assistance during this week’s Georgia Farm Bureau meeting in Jekyll Island, Georgia. He spoke specifically about block grants that would aid his state’s farmers still recovering from Hurricane Helene. “I continue to urge the current administration, the incoming administration and those in Congress to fund block grants …
Drought Update Across Southeast Region
All of Alabama is experiencing dry conditions. North Florida’s drought is worsening, while all of western and northern Georgia is at least abnormally dry. This is according to the most recent release of the U.S. Drought Monitor. Most of the southern and central portions of Alabama are either moderately dry or severely dry. Severe conditions start in Mobile County, expanding …
Sen. Ossoff Pushing to Expand Mental Health Resources for Farmers
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff is working across the aisle to expand mental health resources for Georgia farmers. Ossoff launched a push to pass the bipartisan Farmers First Act, legislation he co-sponsored that aims to expand mental health resources for Georgia farmers. The bipartisan bill would reauthorize the national Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN) for Fiscal …
NWA Congratulates Brooke Rollins on Nomination for Ag Secretary
Lakeland, FL — The National Watermelon Association (NWA) extends its congratulations to Brooke Rollins on her nomination by President-elect Donald Trump to serve as the next Secretary of Agriculture. “As an organization deeply rooted in serving the interests of American farmers, we are encouraged by Ms. Rollins’ stated commitment to championing the needs of rural communities and agriculture producers,” said George …
Growth in Mexico’s Horticultural Exports to U.S. Increasing Amid Food Safety Laws
Horticultural imports from Mexico increased from $3.9 billion to $19.7 billion, from 2000 to 2023, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service. It equates to an annual growth rate of 7.3% and speaks to the concerns Southeast specialty crop producers have about increased imports from other countries. Mexico’s horticultural exports were mostly bound for the U.S., accounting …
Mass Deportation Would Impact Available Workforce for Specialty Crop Producers
By Clint Thompson President-elect Donald Trump’s plan to deport illegal immigrants will have ramifications for the country’s specialty crop producers. The fruit and vegetable sector utilizes more labor than most and is more reliant on an international work force. If Trump follows through on one of his campaign promises, it would mean fewer workers for Ag employers across the country, …



















