By Frank Giles One of the many ripple effects of the COVID-19 pandemic has been significant supply-chain disruptions that have impacted the global economy. Agriculture has not been immune to these delays in shipping and availability of key tools growers need to produce crops. At the same time, prices are going up nearly across the board on products and inputs …
EU Ban of Pesticides Could Impact U.S. Growers
By Frank Giles Mike Aerts, Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association’s vice president of science and regulatory affairs, recently shared an update from the European Union (EU) that could impact maximum residue limits (MRLs) allowed in the 27-member-country body. MRLs govern the amount of allowable pesticide residue on a food product in order to enter a country. Because the EU has …
Labor Crisis: Farmers Need to Vocalize Concerns for Reform to Occur
By Clint Thompson Southeast producers who have concerns over the proposed Farm Workforce Modernization Act are encouraged to voice their displeasure to members of Congress. It is the only way real change can be made with the current Ag labor system, says Bob Redding, who works for the Redding Firm and serves as a lobbyist for agricultural groups in Washington, …
Political Divide: Politics Slowing Farm Workforce Modernization Act Progress
By Clint Thompson A Senate resolution to the Farm Workforce Modernization Act is much needed for the future of vegetable and specialty crop farming in Florida. There’s just no guarantee that one will be developed in the near future. Politics are playing a role in the process being slowed, almost to a halt, says Mike Joyner, Florida Fruit and Vegetable …
Florida Ag Expo to Highlight Artificial Intelligence
By Clint Thompson A focal point of research at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) will be highlighted during the Florida Ag Expo on Nov. 18. Nathan Boyd, associate center director of the UF/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center and professor of horticulture and weed science, believes artificial intelligence (AI) to be the future …
Track the Journey From Citrus Seed To Growing Success
See how the Florida Citrus Research Foundation continues its support of A.H. Whitmore Foundation seed source block.
New Death Tax Would Squeeze the Life Out of Florida Citrus Growers
Ag industry stakeholders on alert as proposed hikes set to stymie production and progress.
Labor Crisis: Farmers Continue to Struggle to Find Workforce
By Clint Thompson The top two issues that vegetable and specialty crop workers encounter are trade and labor. The impact of imports on domestic farmers doesn’t seem to be going away anytime soon. Neither do concerns over having an adequate number of workers on the farm every year, according to Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association (FFVA) President Mike Joyner. “During …
Lingering Problem: Imports’ Impact Being Felt Across Country
By Clint Thompson Imports are no longer a Southeast issue. They are quickly becoming a national issue. Unfortunately, the rising tide of imports of fresh fruits and vegetables impacting other parts of the country may be a necessary step in resolving this growing problem. “Certainly, Georgia has been in this fight with us for a long time and have done …
Registration Continues for Upcoming Ag Labor Relations Forum
By Clint Thompson Two issues remain on the minds of Florida’s vegetable and specialty crop producers, says Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association (FFVA) President Mike Joyner. “I think depending on who you ask, you’re either going to get the answer, trade and labor, or you’re going to get the answer, labor and trade,” Joyner said. Labor will be front and …