By Clint Thompson Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association (FFVA) President Mike Joyner continues to do his part in ensuring specialty crop producers in his state have a sustainable future. Part of that is educating legislative leaders about the dangers of relying on other countries for fresh fruits and vegetables. At least one Florida senator agrees. It’s become a national security …
Harvest Window a Potential Limiting Factor for Artichoke Production in Florida
By Clint Thompson Artichoke production can be accomplished in Florida. The only concern Shinsuke Agehara has is capitalizing on a harvest window that is not very long. He discussed the current outlook concerning artichokes during the recent Florida Ag Expo event at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Gulf Coast Research and Education Center in …
Florida Ag Community Continues Work to Enhance Water Quality Management
By Frank Giles Water quality and quantity are issues that cross all political and economic boundaries in Florida. When blue-green algae and red tides occur, they make front-page news and keep these challenges top-of-mind for all Floridians. Agriculture and the water-quality debate have been closely intertwined over the years. As a large user of water for irrigation and the need …
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, …
What’s Happening? Clemson Extension Agents Provide Crop Updates
Weekly Field Updates Clemson Extension agents provide updates in The South Carolina Grower this week about the status of various crops being produced throughout the state. Midlands Rob Last Pee Dee Brittney King Upstate Briana Naumuk Andy Rollins Sponsored ContentNew Syngenta Varieties Offer Grower SolutionsFebruary 1, 2026Attribute® II Technology Adds More Flexibility and Strength to Sweet Corn Pest ManagementJanuary 1, …
Ag Workforce Solutions Remain Elusive
By Frank Giles Southeastern specialty crop growers have been seeking reform in farm labor policy for many years. Because of its nexus with immigration policy, meaningful solutions have been hard to come by. Proposals have been put forth, but partisan politics see those efforts stall. That has forced many growers to utilize the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) H-2A visa …
AFVGA Tour Visits Sites in Georgia, Florida
By Clint Thompson The Alabama Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (AFVGA) toured farming operations in Georgia and Florida last week. It allowed its attendees, young and experienced, to build camaraderie while learning from fellow growers in the Southeast. Blake Thaxton, executive director of the AFVGA, discussed the importance of the week-long tour, which included stops at Lewis Taylor Farms, a …
Reality Setting In: Pecan Crop Much Shorter Than Expected
By Clint Thompson Georgia pecan growers must realize this year’s crop might not be all it was cracked up to be heading into the season. Even after Hurricane Idalia impacted acreage in Southeast Georgia, growers were hopeful to still produce a bountiful harvest this season. Most believed the crop was later than expected, but that is not the case this …
Commissioner Wilton Simpson Applauds Florida Legislature for Prioritizing Hurricane Idalia Recovery Efforts for Agriculture
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson applauded the efforts of the Florida Legislature last week following the conclusion of a special session that prioritized Hurricane Idalia recovery relief for Florida’s agriculture industry: “Florida’s agriculture industry sustained widespread damage from Hurricane Idalia, with an estimated loss of over $447 million in crops, livestock and infrastructure. Our state’s farmers, ranchers, and growers …
Specialty Crop Priorities for the Farm Bill
By Sabrina Halvorson Since the beginning of the year, the big question about the farm bill has been when it will get done. But specialty crop growers have said all along that there is no question about what needs to be done. AIMING FOR FAIR SHARE“We want to be treated equally,” said Rebeckah Adcock, International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) vice …



















