One of AgNet Media’s award-winning journalists added another award to his collection earlier this month. Clint Thompson, a senior multimedia journalist who has worked with AgNet Media since 2020, was presented the Mass Media Award by the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension at its annual meeting of Georgia Association of County Agricultural Agents in Augusta, Georgia, on Nov. 14. “It …
AEWR Increases for Southeast Region
Florida’s new Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) for 2024 is expected to increase by 3% from $14.33 to $14.77, according to results from the most recent Farm Labor Survey that was released last week. As part of the Southeast that includes Georgia, Alabama and South Carolina, Georgia expects a 7% rise in its AEWR, increasing from $13.67 to $14.66. Georgia’s …
It’s Raining Again: Recent Rain Events Helping Drought-Stricken Southeast
By Clint Thompson Recent rain events have alleviated some of the dry conditions being observed across the Southeast. All signs point to increased rainfall this winter, due to an El Niño weather pattern, believes Pam Knox, University of Georgia Extension agricultural climatologist. “We’ve been stuck in this pattern of high pressure over us, and it’s just kept all of the …
GFVGA Leader: Farm Bill Extension Disappointing
By Clint Thompson An extension to the farm bill buys legislators extra time to devise a new bill before the elections next November. Count the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA) as one organization that was disappointed a new bill was not implemented this year. Chris Butts, executive vice president of the GFVGA, talked about the farm bill and …
South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline: Tomato Viruses on the Rise
Tomato viruses are on the rise across the southern Florida region, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. The Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Virus (TYLCV) is up to 100% in the earliest plantings across central Florida. In Southwest Florida, some locations are reporting up to 5% of TYLCV. Along the east coast, reports of a rare plant with …
Farm Bill Needed Sooner Rather Than Later
By Clint Thompson A one-year extension of the farm bill does not imply Congress can wait until September to form a new one. One legislative expert is hopeful a new farm bill is in place sooner rather than later. Bob Redding, who works for the Redding Firm and serves as a lobbyist for agricultural groups in Washington, D.C., spoke about …
Sneak Peek: December 2023 SCI Magazine
By Clint Thompson The December issue of Specialty Crop Industry (SCI) Magazine recaps the Florida Ag Expo in Wimauma, Florida. This year’s show featured a tailgate trade show and field tour that highlighted the event at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Gulf Coast Research and Education Center. There was a general seminar session, featuring a …
Stringent H-2A Program Regulations Put Pressure on Producers to Stay Compliant
By Clint Thompson Domestic labor is all but a non-existent option for specialty crop producers. Industry leaders want congressional leaders to understand that reality and the added importance of the H-2A program. Michael Marsh, president and chief executive officer of the National Council of Agricultural Employers, spoke about the current labor crisis at the Georgia Agricultural Labor Relations Forum last …
Pecan Producers Contemplating Farming Futures Amid Discouraging Season
By Clint Thompson While input expenses remain high, pecan prices are staggeringly low. That has forced some growers to contemplate their farming future, says Lenny Wells, University of Georgia Extension pecan specialist. “There’s a lot of discouragement out there right now. The costs of production have gone up. The prices have dropped. Even in the face of a short crop, …
Under the Spotlight: GFVGA Two-Day Forum Addresses Labor Concerns
By Clint Thompson Ask a specialty crop grower what their top concern is, and the likely responses are labor and trade; maybe not in that order but definitely at the top of the list. The Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA) helped alleviate some of the labor concerns by hosting its annual Georgia Agricultural Labor Relations Forum in Tifton, …



















