By Frank Giles Despite the myriad challenges thrown at Florida growers, when asked what their biggest challenge on the farm is, most reply sourcing labor. This long-time problem was worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic. Various efforts to ease farm labor pains have been attempted over the years with limited success. A new push is underway to pass the Farm Workforce …
Getting the Most Mileage out of Marathon Mandarin
By Peter Chaires Based on the performance of a single mother tree, the University of Florida’s Marathon mandarin was released and licensed into a revised version of the FAST TRACK model in 2019. Having learned from the growing pains of earlier FAST TRACK variety launches, the Marathon model (Suite IV) was designed to be more user friendly and flexible. Rather …
Emerging Leader Development Program Class 12 Announced
The Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association (FFVA) has announced the selection of 14 up-and-coming agriculture industry leaders for Class 12 of its Emerging Leader Development Program. Administered by the Florida Specialty Crop Foundation, the creation of the Emerging Leader Development Program back in 2011 has provided 128 young leaders with an immersive experience on the many issues facing the industry …
Florida Ag Groups Praise Bipartisan Filing of Petition to Combat Unfair Trade Practices
Florida’s specialty crop organizations praised the bipartisan filing of petition to combat unfair trade practices. Mike Joyner, president of the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association, was among those praising the congressional leaders that were part of the petition. “For too long, specialty crop growers across the U.S. have faced the devastating effects of unfair imports from Mexico,” said Joyner. “The …
Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance Lays Out Priorities
The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance (SCFBA), a national coalition of more than 200 specialty crop organizations representing growers of fruits, vegetables, dried fruit, tree nuts, nursery plants and other products, has released its statement of principles for consideration of the 2023 farm bill. The SCFBA was established to advocate for broad-based farm bill policy initiatives to address the unique …
Sweet Corn Challenges in Florida
By Clint Thompson Florida’s sweet corn producers are feeling the pinch of various factors affecting consumer demand this season; most notably, the inflationary prices and colder spring weather up north. Both contributed to suppressed prices for the state’s growers, says Tori Rumenik, commodity service and supply chain manager for the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association. “Our product goes to retail. …
Specialty Crop Farmer: Make Sure You have Orderly Marketing
By Clint Thompson One Florida specialty crop industry leader believes there has been no letup in the spike in input costs. That’s why Aaron Troyer, Florida potato farmer and chairman of the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association, insists growers ensure that what is being grown matches the demand for it. “Make sure your budget is in order and make sure …
Specialty Crop Farmer: Make Sure You Have Orderly Marketing
By Clint Thompson One Florida specialty crop industry leader believes there has been no letup in the spike in input costs. That’s why Aaron Troyer, Florida potato farmer and chairman of the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association, insists growers ensure that what is being grown matches the demand for it. “Make sure your budget is in order and make sure …
New Death Tax Would Squeeze the Life Out of Florida Citrus Growers
No industry is more synonymous with the great state of Florida than the citrus industry. Florida’s citrus growers, packers, and processors contribute more than $6.762 billion to our state’s economy, and we support more than 33,000 jobs. We have endured countless hurricanes, droughts, pests, and diseases, and we continue in the fight of our lives against citrus greening. But there …
Track the Journey From Citrus Seed To Growing Success
The Florida Citrus Research Foundation (FCRF) provides oversight and support for the A.H. Whitmore Foundation Farm near Leesburg. The foundation and farm were initiated in 1959 as a means of supporting the Florida citrus industry through citrus field research, trial plantings, and cropping new citru ]]>