By Clint Thompson The calendar may say Feb. 20 but for some watermelon growers in North Florida, it says it is planting time. “I believe that there are some that intend on starting around (Feb. 20) if the weather looks good during that period of time,” said Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional …
Georgia Vegetable Producer: We Can’t Give Up
By Clint Thompson Sam Watson wears multiple hats in his role as a Georgia vegetable producer. Not only does Watson farm in Colquitt County, he also serves as president of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association along with being a state senator. Watson is in position to implore legislative leaders to provide assistance against the numerous obstacles challenging the …
Weather Challenges for Strawberry Producers in North Alabama
By Clint Thompson Fluctuating temperatures have made strawberry production a challenge in North Alabama, according Eric Schavey, regional Extension agent in Northeast Alabama. “Right now, everyone is focused on strawberries. We get these days where I believe it was 71 degrees (Fahrenheit), but it was 31 that morning. It’s like you’re scraping frost in the evening and then thinking about …
UF Tomato Breeder Discuss New Role at GCREC
Jessica Chitwood-Brown is the new tomato breeder at the University of Florida Gulf Coast Research and Education Center (GCREC). Chitwood-Brown coordinates the lab where she earned Ph.D. and conducted her post-doctoral research, in the northern end of Florida tomato country. She’s taken the position of her doctoral adviser, Sam Hutton, at the GCREC. “I really admire Sam, so I have a …
Alabama Peach Trees Enjoying High Chill Hours
By Clint Thompson Alabama peach trees are off to a strong start this year thanks to high chill hours. But growers are also aware this is just the first step in establishing a crop for the upcoming spring, says Edgar Vinson, assistant research professor and Extension specialist in the Department of Horticulture at Auburn University “It’s looking pretty good as …
Georgia’s Pecan Bearing Acres at 146,000
By Clint Thompson Georgia’s bearing pecan acres in 2023 was 146,000 acres, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service. The number might continue to rise as more young orchards come online with a crop. “According to the satellite survey that the American Pecan Council did, and this has probably been four or five years ago, we …
Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: Next Generation of Ag Leaders Speak Out on Issues
By Frank Giles The Florida Ag Expo held at the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center has become a much-anticipated event every November. The Expo draws specialty crop growers from across Florida and beyond. The latest Expo featured a panel discussion of alumni from the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association’s Emerging Leader Development Program (ELDP). The program provides a year-long …
AgNet Media Set to Host Florida Citrus Show
By Clint Thompson Citrus and specialty crop producers should mark their calendars for the upcoming Florida Citrus Show, scheduled for Wednesday, April 3 in Fort Pierce, Florida. This will mark the second year that AgNet Media will host the event, which will once again feature a tailgating theme with vendors in attendance, along with general and educational breakout sessions featuring …
Georgia Peach Trees Enjoying High Chill Hours
By Clint Thompson Georgia’s peach producers have overcome one of the first obstacles of the production season – accumulating enough chill hours. Now comes the next challenge – surviving a potential late-season frost event. Jeff Cook, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension agriculture and natural resources agent for Peach and Taylor counties, provided an update on chill hours which have been …
Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: Tick Talk
By Lauri M. Baker As temperatures cool over the winter, you may be ready to breathe a sigh of relief as you enjoy a break from the summer’s constant annoyance of pests like mosquitos and ticks. But think again. An age-old belief is that ticks die off in winter months. Unfortunately, this is a myth. While your chance of tick …



















