By Clint Thompson Next year’s increases of the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) is further evidence transparency is needed from the Department of Labor about how it justifies substantial pay increases for H-2A workers. Georgia and Alabama are experiencing 9% increases to $16.08, while Florida’s new AEWR is estimated to be $16.23, a 10% increase from the $14.77 rate in …
Farm Service Agency: MASC Program Applications Accepted Through Jan. 8, 2025
Specialty crop producers should be mindful that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is now accepting applications for the Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops (MASC) program. Sign-up started on Dec. 10. Applications are due to the USDA’s Farm Service Agency through Jan. 8, 2025. MASC provides financial assistance to specialty crop growers to help them expand domestic markets or develop …
Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: Diversification is Name of Game for Southern Hill Farms
By Frank Giles Life can come at you fast in farming. Growers in it for the long term learn to adapt with the times and overcome the many challenges that come their way. That is the case with the Hill family, who has been farming in Central Florida for generations. The family operation has its roots in Lake County. But …
Helene Impact: Georgia Vidalia Onion Farmers Suffered Plant Loss
By Clint Thompson Georgia’s Vidalia onion industry was not immune to the damage inflicted by Hurricane Helene when it moved through the region in late September. Chris Tyson, University of Georgia Extension area onion agent at the Vidalia Onion & Vegetable Research Center in Lyons, Georgia, said plant stands were impacted; especially those planted right before the storm’s arrival on …
CUPS Success Rate a Relief for Researcher
The success of citrus under protective screen (CUPS) in protecting Florida citrus from citrus greening, also known as huanglongbing or HLB, was not surprising to Arnold Schumann. The professor of soil fertility and water quality at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus Research and Education Center is thankful research had yielded a temporary solution …
Florida Ag Organizations Send Letter to Congressional Delegation About AEWR Increases
Florida’s 10% increase in the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) prompted some of the state’s agricultural organizations to send a letter to Florida’s congressional delegation imploring the need for labor reform. Florida’s AEWR increase is the largest in the country and will rise to $16.23. “While we have long advocated for significant reforms to the H-2A program, to include stabilizing …
Chill Effect: Recent Cold Weather Benefits Alabama Peach Trees
By Clint Thompson Last week was a welcome sight for Alabama’s peach producers. Multiple cold days in a row allowed the state’s peach trees to catch up in accumulating chill hours. Edgar Vinson, assistant research professor and Extension specialist in the Department of Horticulture at Auburn University, provided an outlook on where chilling stands in the state. “We were quite …
Farm Bill Message: Sooner Rather Than Later
By Clint Thompson Following the recent elections, the messaging remains the same from agricultural groups to legislative leaders – devise a new farm bill sooner rather than later. Bob Redding, who works for the Redding Firm and serves as a lobbyist for ag groups in Washington, D.C., discussed the current outlook for the important piece of legislation that is overdue. …
AFVGA Conference Early-Bird Registration Deadline is Dec. 31
By Clint Thompson Alabama specialty crop farmers should be mindful that the early-bird registration for next year’s Alabama Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association Conference and Trade Show ends Dec. 31. The annual conference and trade show is scheduled for Feb. 5-7, 2025, at the Lodge at Gulf State Park in Gulf Shores, Alabama. Registration includes all general meal functions, breakouts …
NWA Congratulates Brooke Rollins on Nomination for Ag Secretary
Lakeland, FL — The National Watermelon Association (NWA) extends its congratulations to Brooke Rollins on her nomination by President-elect Donald Trump to serve as the next Secretary of Agriculture. “As an organization deeply rooted in serving the interests of American farmers, we are encouraged by Ms. Rollins’ stated commitment to championing the needs of rural communities and agriculture producers,” said George …



















