The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced an investment of more than $33 million to support capacity-building efforts at 1890 Land-grant Universities. This investment, administered through USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), will support 82 research, Extension, and education projects across the nation’s 19 Historically Black Colleges and Universities designated as 1890 Land-grant Universities. These projects are part …
And the Survey Says: Vegetable Producers Sound Off on Pesticide, Fertilizer Use
The U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS)-Agricultural Chemical Use Survey collected date about pesticide and fertilizer use from vegetable producers in 2022. NASS administered the survey among growers in 17 states, and three vegetables were highlighted. These include snap beans, squash and sweet corn. Nitrogen was the most widely used nutrient for all the three featured crops, …
FDACS Seeking Feedback on Farm to School Program
Attention Florida fruit and vegetable farmers! The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) hopes to get your feedback regarding the Farm to School Initiative. As part of an effort to further develop the existing Farm to School Initiative, FDACS is conducting a survey to better understand how farmers and schools are currently working together and identify opportunities for more effective …
UF/IFAS Research: Ammoniacal Nitrogen Preferred in Blueberries
By Clint Thompson Nitrogen is an element that blueberry plants require most. One University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) researcher believes there is room for improvement in how growers distribute that essential element. Gerardo Nunez, assistant professor in the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department, discusses nutrient research in blueberries. “It is an element where we believe there …
FDACS Seeks Input from Producers on Farm to School Program
Attention Florida fruit and vegetable farmers! The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) hopes to get your input regarding the Farm to School Initiative. As part of an effort to further develop the existing Farm to School Initiative, FDACS is conducting a survey to better understand how farmers and schools are currently working together and identify opportunities for …
Mathews Paret to Lead UF Plant Pathology
Mathews Paret, professor in the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) plant pathology department, will step into the role of department chair starting Sept. 15, 2023. Paret will lead the department of more than 30 faculty members based on the University of Florida’s Gainesville campus and at research and education centers around the state. Plant pathologists work …
Chlorpyrifos Clarification: Insecticide Can Be Applied to Non-Bearing Peach Trees
By Clint Thompson Chlorpyrifos can legally be used to manage peachtree borers in late variety orchards that are not being harvested or were harvested early. Brett Blaauw, assistant professor at the University of Georgia (UGA) College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, confirmed the news in the UGA Extension Peach Blog. “As long as they don’t expect to harvest fruits within …
New Chair: Mathews Paret to Lead UF Plant Pathology
Mathews Paret, professor in the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) plant pathology department, will step into the role of department chair starting Sept. 15, 2023. Paret will lead the department of more than 30 faculty members based on the University of Florida’s Gainesville campus and at research and education centers around the state. Plant pathologists …
Sen. Ossoff: I’m a Big Believer in Precision Ag
By Clint Thompson Precision agriculture will be of vital importance in specialty crop producers remaining sustainable for the foreseeable future. U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff (D-GA) understands that fact after discussing with Georgia producers what their most significant needs are. It is why he partnered with U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Raphael Warnock (D-GA) to introduce bipartisan legislation that authorized …
Drought Monitor Update: Decreased Dry Conditions Across Southeast
Drought conditions remain minimal across the Southeast. The only dry areas are located along the west coast of Florida and in northern Alabama, according to the most recent release of the U.S. Drought Monitor. The only part of Florida that is experiencing dry conditions is located along the west coast in the southern part of the state. It starts as …