By Clint Thompson Georgia peach production has been strong this season. One North Georgia producer is still enjoying the fruits of his labor. Drew Echols, owner of Jaemor Farms in Alto, Georgia, and past president of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA), estimated on July 22 that production would continue for another month to six weeks. That is …
Southeast Specialty Crop Leaders Provide Overview of Production Season
By Clint Thompson Fruit and vegetable farmers have mostly concluded their summer harvests and are now preparing for the upcoming fall season. Chris Butts, executive director of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA), highlighted the challenges associated with spring production and what growers experienced this summer’s harvests. “I think it kind of depends on who you ask. In …
Specialty Crop Leader: SDRP Funds Coming At Good Time
By Clint Thompson Financial relief is available for specialty crop producers who suffered eligible crop losses due to natural disasters in 2023 and 2024, through the Supplemental Disaster Relief Program (SDRP). That means much needed assistance for growers in Alabama and Georgia who have dealt with their share of hurricanes, freeze events and prolonged drought over the last couple of …
Legislative Victory: One Big Beautiful Win for Specialty Crops
By Clint Thompson The One Big Beautiful Bill is a one big beautiful win for specialty crops. Chris Butts, executive director of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA), highlighted the recently passed legislation, which will impact fruit and vegetable growers across the Southeast. “I think there are some very good provisions included in the bill for important initiatives, …
Precision Ag Conference: We’ve Got to Do More With Less
By Clint Thompson Technological innovations in agriculture were the focus of this year’s Integrative Precision Agricultural Conference. It is likely the key to survival for most farmers, but especially specialty crop producers, explains Chris Butts, executive director of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA). “Technology has the potential to be the solution to level the playing field for …
Missed Opportunity: Tariffs Fail to Level Playing Field for Southeastern Growers
By Clint Thompson Tariffs imposed by the Trump Administration last week did not include products covered under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). That’s a missed opportunity to help Southeast specialty crop growers impacted by seasonal imports, says Chris Butts, executive director of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA). “Our greater concern is just disappointment that we felt like the …
Necessary Evil: Tariffs Help Protect From Overdependence on Foreign Food Supply
By Clint Thompson The threat and subsequent implementation of tariffs on China, Canada and Mexico by the Trump Administration triggered hard feelings and retaliatory tariffs. But it’s a necessary evil so support can be rallied for American businesses, including specialty crop farmers in Florida and Georgia. Chris Butts, executive vice president of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA), …
Leveling the Playing Field: Tariffs Good for Georgia Fruits and Vegetables
By Clint Thompson Tuesday’s tariffs implemented by the Trump Administration is helping level the playing field for Georgia’s fruit and vegetable industries. Chris Butts, executive vice president of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA), discussed the trade war which resulted in tariffs levied on China, Mexico and Canada. “We have tried everything we know to level the playing …
Southeast Regional Coverage: One Voice Approach Benefits Specialty Crops
By Clint Thompson It is better for fruit and vegetable organizations to implement a “one voice” mentality in advocating for specialty crop producers to legislative leaders. One of the by-products of the recent Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference is that it allowed members from multiple organizations, like the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, to come together and formulate …
Specialty Crops Showcased, Celebrated at Southeast Regional Conference
By Clint Thompson Last week’s Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference served as a celebration of what’s right with specialty crop production in the region, explains Chris Butts, executive director of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA). “It’s been such an eventful year, everything from the hurricane to our continued struggles with imports, this is really a chance …
















