Atlanta, GA – Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper, Georgia Grown staff, and several Georgia agribusinesses visited New Delhi, India, in April on an agribusiness trade mission sponsored by the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service. The trade mission was led by USDA Under Secretary for Trade & Foreign Affairs Alexis M. Taylor and included representatives from 47 U.S.-based …
USDA Announces May 2024 Lending Rates for Agricultural Producers
WASHINGTON, May 1, 2024 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced loan interest rates for May 2024, which became effective May 1, 2024. USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) loans provide important access to capital to help farmers start or expand their farming operation, purchase equipment and storage structures or meet cash flow needs.        “I encourage our lenders and borrowers alike …
Alabama Heirs Property Alliance Helping Educate Residents, Farming Families About Key Issue
(AUBURN UNIVERSITY, AL/May 8, 2024) — Heirs property is common in Alabama. There is land in every county that is classified as heirs property, also known as family land. Whether families are attempting to develop or sell the land left by previous generations, the lack of a clear title makes it difficult for families to move forward. Adam Rabinowitz, an …
Georgia Agricultural Commodity Commissions Seek Nominations
(Atlanta, GA/May 8,2024) — Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper has announced that 12 of Georgia’s Agricultural Commodity Commissions are seeking nominations from producers to serve on their respective commissions. Nomination forms are available on the Georgia Department of Agriculture’s website and will be accepted until May 24, 2024. The Georgia Department of Agriculture administers these commissions, which oversee farmer-funded programs dedicated …
Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: More Efforts to Reform H-2A Underway
By Frank Giles There’s never a shortage of news when it comes to the H-2A visa program, which Southeastern specialty crop growers have come to rely on for labor. It is the go-to program for farmers who need larger numbers of employees to grow and harvest crops. But in an environment where inflation has pushed up the prices of just …
Drought Monitor Update: Dry Conditions Expanding Across Southeast
By Clint Thompson The latest release of the U.S. Drought Monitor reflects the lack of rainfall being felt in certain areas across the Southeast. Abnormally dry conditions are observed in Florida, Georgia and Alabama. Moderate conditions are even seen in southern Florida, starting as far north as Brevard and Osceola counties and stretching southward to Hendry and Palm Beach counties. …
Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: Big Issues Addressed at Florida Citrus Show
By Frank Giles Last year, AgNet Media took over hosting responsibilities for the Florida Citrus Show in Fort Pierce. With that change, the event moved to the neighboring facilities of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Indian River Research and Education Center and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service U.S. Horticultural Research …
Specialty Crop Industry Applauds Movement on Farm Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance (SCFBA) issued a statement following the release of two separate farm bill frameworks by the chairs of the U.S. House and Senate Agriculture Committees. “The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance commends House Agriculture Committee Chairman (Glenn) Thompson and Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman (Debbie) Stabenow for their work in moving the 2024 …
Update on Florida Ag Legislation and Budget Presented
By Maegan Beatty In mid-April, the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) hosted the 9th annual Florida Agricultural Policy Outlook Conference at the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center in Wimauma. The conference examines critical policy issues facing agribusiness leaders and provides economic insights. Participants heard from policymakers, key stakeholders and expert researchers on the farm …
Not Again: Fusarium Wilt a Recurring Concern for Florida Watermelon Producers
By Clint Thompson Fusarium wilt disease is once again rearing its ugly head in Florida watermelons this year, according to one University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) researcher. Nick Dufault, a plant pathologist with the UF/IFAS, noted in a blog that while little can be done now to manage the disease, it is still vital for …



















