The Georgia Agribusiness Council (GAC) invites those interested to attend the 2018 Ag Issues Summit, which will be held Aug. 23 in Perry. While the meeting is free, registration is required as space is limited. While the meeting is free, registration is required as space is limited. Georgia’s two Agriculture Committee Chairmen, Senator John Wilkinson and Representative Tom McCall, are hosting this year’s event. The agenda includes …
Gummy Stem Blight Tops Georgia Watermelon Diseases
By Breanna Kendrick With the heavy rains during the 2018 watermelon season, Georgia growers in the Colquitt County area have seen an increase in gummy stem blight in their melons. Jenna Kicklighter, a University of Georgia vegetable agent in Colquitt County, spoke with many growers this year about their season. “Gummy stem blight is the number-one disease growers had the …
Black Rot: Ongoing Threat for Georgia Cabbage Growers
By Breanna Kendrick Cabbage is inflicted with numerous insect pests and plant diseases, but black rot has been the leading threat to the Georgia cabbage industry for years. Black rot is caused by the bacterium Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris. Bhabesh Dutta, vegetable Extension pathologist at the University of Georgia, has been focusing his research on this disease. One reason for …
Georgia Farmers Enjoying Improved Peach Crop
Last year, the peach crop in Georgia really suffered. But according to Jeff Cook, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources agent for Taylor and Peach counties, this year’s crop has rebounded following colder temperatures this past December and January. In an article written by Clint Thompson, news editor with the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and …
Georgia Blueberry Growers Suffer Second Consecutive Year of Loss
Commissioner Gary W. Black hosted a conference call to connect Georgia blueberry growers and agricultural industry representatives with U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary Bill Northey to discuss recent loss assessments for the 2018 blueberry crop. According to University of Georgia Extension, overall losses of both highbush and rabbiteye varieties could exceed 60 percent. This would mark the second consecutive …
Blueberry Growers from Florida, Georgia Support NAFTA Renegotiations
The Florida Blueberry Growers Association (FBGA) and the Georgia Blueberry Growers Association (GBGA) teamed up to write a letter about the need for modernization of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Blueberries, among other specialty crops, from Florida and Georgia have been facing heavy competition from Mexican imports, making it difficult to keep up with their production. Renegotiation of …
Florida & Georgia Blueberry Growers Call On To Be Considered in NAFTA Negotiations
Brooksville, FL – Today, the Florida Blueberry Growers Association (FBGA) and Georgia Blueberry Growers Association (GBGA) sent a joint letter to their Congressmen asking that provisions to protect the blueberry industry of Florida and Georiga be included in North American Free Trade Agreement negotiations (NAFTA). “The Florida & Georgia Blueberry industries have experienced growth and stability in the recent past, however …
Concern Looms Over Georgia Blueberries
Despite some crop loss due to frost damage, it looks like Georgia blueberries will have a good season. However, Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Gary Black says there is something else to be concerned about regarding Georgia’s blueberry crop. “I’ve learned that blueberry has a real problem with pollination,” he says. According to Black, Georgia experienced some spotty weather this blueberry …
Promoting Georgia Grown Products Nationwide
The Georgia Department of Agriculture is beginning a new marketing campaign to promote Georgia fruits and vegetables around the United States. Matthew Kulinski, deputy director of marketing with the Georgia Department of Agriculture, says this marketing program coincides with Georgia Grown’s new slogan: Nature’s Favorite State. According to Kulinski, the goal of the program is to have Georgia be known …
Georgia Department of Ag Promotes Signage Program
Georgia is hoping to spread the word about a piece of legislation that was passed almost 10 years ago. Cindy Norton, agritourism director for the Georgia Department of Agriculture, says farm signage legislation was enacted in 2009. The department makes the public more aware of the farms around the state by placing signs on busy roadways that point toward the …















