By Frank Giles On Dec. 22, the U.S. Senate passed the omnibus appropriations bill. The $1.7 trillion measure would fund the federal government through the remainder of 2023. The measure now moves to the U.S. House of Representatives for a vote to avoid a government shutdown on the evening of Dec. 23. Much to the dismay of farm groups nationwide, …
Vidalia Onion Farmers Wary of Impact from Frigid Weekend
By Clint Thompson A frigid weekend in the forecast for Southeast Georgia could impact the Vidalia onion plants in the ground. Chris Tyson, UGA Extension area onion agent, talked about what producers can expect with the looming sub-freezing temperatures. “Friday night is like the coldest it looks like. Right now, for Reidsville (Georgia), they’re calling for 18 degrees (Fahrenheit) and …
Alabama Extension to Host Annual Hemp Production Meetings
Alabama hemp producers should mark their calendars for 2023, as Alabama Extension will host a series of five industrial hemp meetings for new and seasoned growers in January. Growers should plan to attend just one meeting since all meetings will follow the same agenda. All new producers are strongly encouraged to attend. The meeting will cover the 2023 hemp season …
UF/IFAS to Host South Florida Vegetable Meeting
Vegetable producers should mark their calendars for the next South Florida Vegetable Growers meeting, scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023, at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Southwest Florida Research and Education Center in Immokalee, Florida. The meeting will last from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will cover vegetable production with an emphasis on …
GFVGA Frustrated by Ag Labor’s Lack of Inclusion in Omnibus Spending Bill
The Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA) expressed disappointment following the news that agriculture labor reform was left out of the Omnibus spending package being finalized in Congress. Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO) introduced the Affordable Secure Food Act last week. It was a counterpart to the Farm Worker Modernization Act that was passed by the House in 2021. The …
Florida Sweet Corn Volume Back to Normal
By Clint Thompson Hurricane Ian did more than just flood parts of Florida and spark damage with its high winds when it moved across the state on Sept. 28. It also delayed plantings of multiple crops, including strawberries. Sweet corn was another crop impacted, according to Tori Rumenik, commodity services and supply chain manager for the Florida Fruit and Vegetable …
Hurricane Ian Impact: Sweet Corn Production Back to Normal Volumes Following Planting Gap
By Clint Thompson Hurricane Ian did more than just flood parts of Florida and spark damage with its high winds when it moved across the state on Sept. 28. It also delayed plantings of multiple crops, including strawberries. Sweet corn was another crop impacted, according to Tori Rumenik, commodity services and supply chain manager for the Florida Fruit and Vegetable …
Upcoming Sub-Freezing Temperatures Should Impact Southeast Vegetables
By Clint Thompson Sub-freezing temperatures in the forecast for this weekend could impact winter vegetable crops in the Southeast. Tim Coolong, associate professor in the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, discusses the impact that growers in Alabama and Georgia could see beginning Friday night. “If it stays below freezing for a whole day, that’s going to …
Whitefly Numbers Increasing Across South Florida
Vegetable producers should be wary that whitefly populations are increasing in South Florida, according to the most recent release of the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. Population numbers have reached high levels in some locations in the southwestern part of the state, though levels are low in other areas. Whiteflies are present in squash, cucumbers and watermelons in Homestead, …
GFVGA Supports Senate Bill
By Clint Thompson The Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA) supports the bill introduced in the Senate last week, titled the Affordable and Secure Food Act of 2022 (ASFA). The organization is also calling for members to contact Georgia’s two U.S. Senators this week to express support for the bill. Senator Michael Bennett (D-CO) introduced the Senate version of …