What would it look and feel like for the United States to be totally dependent on foreign countries for food? While it’s a scenario that might seem unfathomable for some, it’s a proposition that keeps inching closer to reality. “If things don’t change and they keep going the course they’re going, people are going to look up one day and …
Another Challenging Season for Florida’s Blueberry Producers
A late crop, a topsy-turvy market and a consistent influx of produce coming in from Mexico – just another challenging year for Florida’s blueberry growers. Chuck Allison, blueberry farmer and owner of Wild Goose Farms in Umatilla, Florida, said the cooler winter has delayed harvests this year. “We’re getting started. We picked last week a couple of times. We’re getting …
Expanding Production: U.S. Sugar to Better Serve Customers
Acquisition of Imperial Sugar provides U.S. Sugar’s and Imperial Sugar’s customers with increased production and distribution, a full suite of sugar products, and a more secure sugar supply CLEWISTON, FLORIDA — An acquisition on Wednesday by U.S. Sugar returns Imperial Sugar to All-American owernship. U.S. Sugar announced on Wednesday it has reached an agreement with Louis Dreyfus Company to acquire …
Sneak Peek: April 2021 VSCNews Magazine
The April issue of VSCNews magazine explores biodiversity, conservation funding, watermelons and a variety of other topics. First up, an article by University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) professor Oscar Liburd and postdoctoral research associate Lorena Lopez, discusses how to control sweetpotato whiteflies with biological control agents like predatory mites in squash production. Conservation funding from the …
Pecan Producers Be Wary of Phylloxera
There’s beginning to be budbreak in pecan orchards throughout the Southeast. As trees start to break dormancy, producers need to begin protecting their crop from one pest who impacts trees this time of year, says Lenny Wells, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension pecan specialist. “We’re just starting to see it now. This is the time they need to (spray), if …
War of Deception: Consumer Awareness Key in Support of American Farmers
In the ongoing war between supporting local farmers against the influx of imports, American farmers need consumers to fight back. The significance of where food originates may never be more important than it is right now. With imports continuing to flood markets for various commodities, the end result is farmers contemplating selling their land. Others are wondering what else can …
Warmer and Drier Winter? Not So Much
What was expected to be warm and dry turned out to be cold and wet for most of the Southeast. Don’t blame La Nina, says Pam Knox, University of Georgia Extension Agricultural Climatologist. “It’s unusual, but it’s not unprecedented. I think the last time it happened was early in the 21st Century, close to 20 years now. We did have …
Farm Workforce Modernization Act: GFVGA Pushing for Changes
The Farm Workforce Modernization Act is in the hands of the Senate. Charles Hall, executive director of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA), is hopeful changes will be made to several provisions in the bill that would impact Georgia producers; specifically the one regarding Certified Ag Workers. “One of the things that is concerning is how the Certified …
Interested in Calabaza? UF/IFAS Scientists Laying Groundwork for Chefs, Growers
By: Lourdes Rodriguez, 954-577-6363 office, 954-242-8439 mobile, rodriguezl@ufl.edu HOMESTEAD, Fla. – A specialty pumpkin traditionally used in Caribbean, South and Central American dishes, has caught the eye of University of Florida scientist Geoffrey Meru. Meru, a vegetable geneticist at the UF/IFAS Tropical Research and Education Center, is leading a multi-institutional project aimed at adding value to the calabaza commodity chain …
Alabama Peaches Progressing Following Recent Freeze
Alabama peaches are progressing but there was some damage from a freeze in February, said Doug Chapman, Alabama Extension agent for Commercial Horticulture in North Alabama. “We’re in full bloom right now, maybe in central and south Alabama, a little post bloom. I doubt there’s any shucks split just yet in central Alabama,” Chapman said. “The freeze hurt us to …