Farm workers harvesting green crops in rows of a vegetable field

Florida Ag Labor Relations Forum Set for Aug. 12-14

Clint ThompsonFlorida

Registration is underway for this year’s Florida Agricultural Labor Relations Forum, scheduled for Aug. 12-14 at the Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort Bonnet Creek in Orlando, Florida. This year’s 52nd annual forum is presented by the Florida Specialty Crop Foundation and educates farmers, ag employers, shippers, farm labor contractors and other employers on compliance with labor laws. It will feature multiple …

Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: Producers Seek USMCA Improvements

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Frank Giles When the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) went into effect in July 2020, specialty crop growers in the Southeast were disappointed the replacement of the North American Free Trade Agreement did little to protect their domestic interests and markets. When the agreement was crafted, it included a provision that the USMCA would undergo a joint review to assess …

Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: Breeding Berries for Flavor, Disease Resistance

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Frank Giles Vance Whitaker has led the strawberry breeding program at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Gulf Coast Research Education Center (GCREC) in Wimauma since 2009. In September, Whitaker was recognized by the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association (FFVA) with its Researcher of the Year Award. Specialty Crop Grower asked Whitaker about his breeding …

Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: The Last Word

Clint ThompsonFlorida

Priorities for 2026: Navigating Trade, Policy and Elections By Mike Joyner Florida’s specialty crop producers and the wider agricultural industry continue to encounter significant challenges. This includes unfair trade, rising input costs and issues tied to both the cost and availability of labor. However, several emerging opportunities expected in 2026 may help drive meaningful change. In last year’s column, I …

USMCA

Joyner Testifies on the Impact of USMCA on Florida’s Specialty Crops

Dan CooperFruits, Vegetables

Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association President Mike Joyner expressed concerns about the impact of produce imports from Mexico under the current U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) during a public hearing held on Dec. 3. He reported significant losses in sales, market share and jobs within Florida’s produce industry due to unfairly priced imports from Mexico. The testimony was delivered as part of …

Ag Groups Urge USDA to Strengthen Buy American Rules for U.S. Schools

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Clint Thompson Multiple agricultural organizations, including the Florida Farm Bureau Federation, Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association and Alabama Farmers Federation, were part of a coalition that sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), urging the USDA to halt new waivers that weaken Buy American requirements for school food purchases. “For our industries, school meals represent a …

H-2A Application Processing Resumes Amid Government Shutdown

Clint ThompsonFlorida, Georgia

The U.S. Department of Labor’s resumption of the processing of H-2A applications amid the government shutdown is a win for domestic growers who utilize the system for a reliable labor force. Last week’s decision was welcomed by Southeast fruit and vegetable organizations who advocate for their respective growers, including the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association (FFVA) and Georgia Fruit and …

Fussell

Fussell Succeeds Tighe in Florida Ag Roles

Dan CooperAgriculture, Florida, Industry News Release

The Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association (FFVA) has named Bryn Fussell director of membership as well as executive director of the Florida Specialty Crop Foundation. She succeeds Sonia Tighe, who retired in September. Fussell will manage FFVA’s membership recruitment, retention and administration efforts. The Florida Specialty Crop Foundation, which she will direct, oversees several scholarship initiatives and the Emerging Leader …

Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: A Tip of the Hat to Sonia Tighe

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Frank Giles In agricultural circles, we often lament about “preaching to the choir.” We have a lot of issues, but a relatively small universe of peers to air our opinions about the problem and possible solutions. It’s not easy breaking through to influence the non-agricultural world, but that doesn’t stop us from trying. Preachers to the choir are not …