Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) introduced the Protecting America’s Orchardists and Nursery Tree Growers Act, which would reform the Tree Assistance Program (TAP), a critical farm safety net program. The legislation would expand eligibility for TAP by lowering the mortality threshold and allowing farmers to use TAP funding to replant alternative breeds of trees or bushes. In a June Agriculture committee hearing, …
Whitefly Populations Remain Low
By Clint Thompson Whitefly populations remain low across the Southeast. Fall vegetable growers have the Christmas freeze event last December to thank for that, believes Stormy Sparks, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension vegetable entomologist. “I think that’s a lot of it. We’ve had some wet weather, too, but I think that’s a lot of it. It knocked them way back. …
Biggest Need for Georgia Citrus is Research
The Georgia Citrus Commission members have been selected to serve the state’s up-and-coming industry. Now it is time for those five individuals to determine the pathway for the industry to be successful for the foreseeable future. Commission member Lindy Savelle believes research is the key component in advancing the state’s citrus industry. She said that is why the Georgia Citrus …
ADA is part of the DNA of UF/IFAS
Through a project called Florida AgrAbility, Serap Gorucu tries to ensure that everyone – even those with functional limitations — can operate the technology and machinery on the farm where they work. “Agricultural producers must be able to work their farms,” said Gorucu, a University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) assistant professor of agricultural and biological …
U.S. Congressman Scott Addresses China Concerns During Conference
By Clint Thompson U.S. Congressman Austin Scott (R-GA-08) believes China to be an adversary, no longer an aggressive competitor. So, naturally when China controls certain agricultural inputs, most notably seed, it concerns the legislator. “I don’t blame the Chinese for being smart, I blame us for being naïve about what they were doing and not paying enough attention to it …
Blueberry Meeting Road Show Addressed Leaf Rust
By Frank Giles The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) blueberry team took to the road in July for their summer educational seminars. Meetings were held in four locations in blueberry production areas. Doug Phillips, UF/IFAS blueberry Extension coordinator, help planned the meeting. He said the meetings went well and touched on local concerns. “The genesis …
AgNet Media Announces Launch of Specialty Crop Grower Magazine
AgNet Media has announced the merger of two of its print brands to create a new magazine — Specialty Crop Grower. The magazine will serve growers of fruit and vegetable crops in the Southeast. Last year, AgNet Media purchased Florida Grower, a 116-year-old magazine with a loyal following among the state’s specialty crop producers. Florida Grower joined AgNet Media’s other …
AgNet Media Announces Launch of Specialty Crop Grower Magazine
AgNet Media has announced the merger of two of its print brands to create a new magazine — Specialty Crop Grower. The magazine will serve growers of fruit and vegetable crops in the Southeast. Last year, AgNet Media purchased Florida Grower, a 116-year-old magazine with a loyal following among the state’s specialty crop producers. Florida Grower joined AgNet Media’s other …
What’s Happening? Clemson Extension Agents Provide Crop Updates
Weekly Field Update Clemson Extension agents provide updates in The South Carolina Grower this week about the status of various crops being produced throughout the state. Coastal Region Zack Snipes Midlands Rob Last Sarah Scott Upstate Andy Rollins Sponsored ContentNew Syngenta Varieties Offer Grower SolutionsFebruary 1, 2026Attribute® II Technology Adds More Flexibility and Strength to Sweet Corn Pest ManagementJanuary 1, …
SCFBA Co-Chair Discusses Support for Recent Legislation
By Clint Thompson The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance (SCFBA) applauds recent legislation that addresses multiple priorities in the upcoming Farm Bill. Kam Quarles, CEO of the National Potato Council and co-chair of the SCFBA, discussed the provisions that highlight various needs of the specialty crop industry. These include producers’ access to conservation programs, the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program …