specialty crop

Undersecretary Keys in on Specialty Crop Trade

Dan CooperExports/Imports, Specialty Crops, Trade

While meeting with reporters at the National Association of Farm Broadcasting annual convention, USDA Undersecretary for Trade, Alexis Taylor, keyed in on trade missions that could be particularly beneficial to the nation’s specialty crop industries. Taylor said funding from the USDA will also help the industry with trade challenges. “In addition to some market development work, we’re doing a hundred …

Pecan Producers Contemplating Farming Futures Amid Discouraging Season

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson While input expenses remain high, pecan prices are staggeringly low. That has forced some growers to contemplate their farming future, says Lenny Wells, University of Georgia Extension pecan specialist. “There’s a lot of discouragement out there right now. The costs of production have gone up. The prices have dropped. Even in the face of a short crop, …

Trade’s Impact: Joyner Testifies to Florida Senate Agriculture Committee

Clint ThompsonFlorida

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

Clint ThompsonFlorida, Florida Ag Expo

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

Web AdminCitrus, Fruits, Vegetables

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

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

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

Web AdminSouth Carolina

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

Web AdminAgri-business, Labor

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

Web AdminAlabama, Fruit, Leafy Vegetables, Vegetables

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

Web AdminAgriculture Research, Georgia, Pecan

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 …