By Clint Thompson Florida blueberry growers should mark their calendars for various meetings scheduled this summer across the state. University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) has scheduled meetings for July 12 in Hardee County, July 14 in Lake County, July 19 in Polk County and July 21 in Alachua County. UF/IFAS scientists will address issues pertaining …
USHBC Launches Application for Second Class of Blueberry Leadership Program
The U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) has launched the application process for the second class of its Blueberry Leadership Program that elevates up-and-coming leaders in the blueberry industry. The program will accept up to 10 professionals from across the supply chain to become the second group of fellows in the program. The training, which is the first of its kind in the …
Georgia Blueberry Producer Pleads for Federal Assistance
By Clint Thompson Georgia’s blueberry farmers have their share of seasonal challenges. Some federal assistance is needed if growers are going to remain sustainable. Russ Goodman, a Georgia blueberry grower and state representative, communicated those pleas of assistance to AgNet Media prior to the recent Farm Bill listening session in Newberry, Florida. “We just need protection from unfair trade, and …
Farm Bill Session: If You’re Not at the Table, Then You’re Probably on the Menu
By Clint Thompson If you’re not at the table, then you’re probably on the menu. That is the thought process that producers and Ag leaders have when events like a Farm Bill listening session are held. If they aren’t present to voice their concerns to legislators in charge of crafting the next Farm Bill, they could find themselves and their …
Inflation Continues to Impact Organic Produce Sales
Ongoing inflation continued to impact organic fresh produce sales in the first quarter of 2023 as overall dollar sales grew by slightly less than 1%, and volume declined by 3.4% from the same per year-over-year period, according to the Q1 2023 Organic Produce Performance Report released by Organic Produce Network (OPN) and Category Partners. Overall, the total produce department gained …
Adaptation, Dedication and Fearlessness Allow Pebbledale Farms to Thrive
By Tacy Callies In a state known for Northern transplants, fifth-generation Floridians aren’t frequently found — unless you work in agriculture. Chris and Tina Connell, owners of Pebbledale Farms, are proud to call themselves fifth-generation Floridians. Tina’s grandfather grew strawberries and peppers. Chris was raised in the phosphate mining business, and his grandfather was a citrus grower and rancher. The …
Inflation Could Reset Watermelon Industry
By Clint Thompson The current agricultural landscape has one South Georgia watermelon producer in survival mode. Instead of looking ahead five to 10 years down the road, Crisp County’s Greg Leger is taking it one season at a time. “How long can we sustain what’s happening right now? They’re not challenges that we haven’t faced in agriculture before. But we …
Providing Easier Access to Big Data
By Denise Attaway The humble huckleberry may never rival the soybean in the number of acres planted, but there’s no reason it and other specialty crops can’t have the same technological benefits as row crops do — such as big data. The competitiveness and sustainability of the $36 billion specialty crop industry in the United States is threatened by declining …
UF/IFAS Receiving Favorable Comments with Blueberry Growers Guide App
By Clint Thompson The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Blueberry Growers Guide phone app has drawn rave reviews from the people who need it the most – Florida’s blueberry producers. Doug Phillips, UF/IFAS blueberry Extension coordinator at the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, discussed the app, which started a couple of years ago. “I …
Farm Groups Express Concern Over New Methodology for Determining AEWR
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) published its final rule this week publish to amend how the Adverse Effect Wage Rates (AEWR) for the H-2A program are set to improve the rates’ consistency and accuracy based on the work actually performed by the workers and to better prevent H-2A workers’ employment negatively affecting the wages of U.S. workers in similar …