By Clint Thompson Fruit rots are an annual concern for Georgia blueberry producers. But fungicide resistance is gaining traction as a worry for farmers moving forward. Blueberry farmers have the fungicides needed to manage fruit rots every year. But they need to be mindful of not putting all their effort into one specific mode of action, explains Jonathan Oliver, University …
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 …
Fusarium Wilt a Lingering Concern for North Florida Watermelon Producers
By Clint Thompson North Florida watermelon producers are on the brink of planting this year’s crop. One lingering problem that still concerns growers is fusarium wilt, says Mark Warren, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension agent in Levy County. “I think one of the things that scares our guys the most is this topic of …
AFVGA Conference and Trade Show Registration Ends Jan. 19
Regular registration remains open for those interested in attending this year’s Alabama Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (AFVGA) Annual Conference and Trade Show. This year’s event will be held on Feb. 5-7 at The Lodge at Gulf State Park in Gulf Shores, Alabama. Early bird registration ended on Jan. 1, but regular registration is currently underway and will continue until …
Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: Spotted Lanternfly Confirmation
In November, the Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) announced confirmation from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) of the first detection in the state of spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula). The pest is an invasive planthopper that poses a serious risk to Georgia agriculture. Where is it? The spotted lanternfly was found in Fulton County, Georgia, in October and sent to …
Specialty Crops Secure $650 Million in Additional Funding for USDA MASC Initiative
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance (SCFBA) issued the following statement in response to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s updates to the Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops (MASC) initiative, which included an additional $650 million investment. “Specialty crop growers across the U.S. are facing severe and unique challenges. As we wrote in December, the USDA’s MASC program …
Southeast Regional Conference Scheduled for Jan. 9-11
By Clint Thompson The annual Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference is just days away in Savannah, Georgia. While regular registration ends Tuesday, Jan. 7, on-site registration will still be available from Jan. 9-11. The yearly conference caters to fruit and vegetable production in Florida, Georgia, Alabama and the Carolinas. The production seminars, scheduled for Thursday, Friday and Saturday, will …
Troxler Announces More Than $6.6 Million in Grants to N.C. Food Manufacturers, Processors
RALEIGH – Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler announced the second round of awards from the North Carolina Agricultural Manufacturing and Processing Initiative (NCAMPI). These $6.6 million in awards focus on the expansion of current operations to use more North Carolina farm products and reduce costs and burdens for North Carolina farmers and growers. These six projects benefit peanut, rice, barley, and …
$21 Billion Disaster Relief Assistance ‘Will Be Beneficial’ to Farmers
By Clint Thompson Disaster relief assistance included in the American Relief Act, 2025, will not totally compensate for the losses specialty crop producers experienced this year related to hurricane damage. But the $21 billion set aside for farmers will help, especially those in the Southeast that suffered through Hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton. Bob Redding, who works for the Redding …
Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: Heat Mitigation Plans Protect Farms, Workers
By Frank Giles This past summer, the Biden administration released a proposed rule from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) to protect indoor and outdoor workers from excessive heat. The proposed rule would require employers to develop an injury and illness prevention plan to control heat hazards in workplaces affected by excessive heat. Among other things, the plan would require …



















