By Clint Thompson Specialty crop growers prefer the current dry weather conditions when producing their crops. They want to apply the water needed which helps avert the buildup of disease pressure. It is especially true during the fall season says South Georgia vegetable farmer Sam Watson. “I grow vegetables, so I’m okay with the dry weather. We get to put …
Alabama Strawberry Producers Be Wary of Diseases
By Clint Thompson Strawberry plantings are being conducted across Alabama. Producers need to be wary of different diseases prior to planting. Ed Sikora, professor and Extension plant pathologist in the department of entomology and plant pathology at Auburn University, suggests growers apply a fungicide dip to help with Anthracnose. “This will provide some early-season protection against anthracnose and someother diseases,” …
Sweet Corn Producer: H-2A’s Regulatory Makeup is Intense
By Clint Thompson The most significant challenge to sweet corn production isn’t disease or pest pressure or water requirement, says one Georgia/Florida producer. It is finding and utilizing a labor workforce to pick the crop, says Karla Thompson with JET Farms. She and her family’s business utilize the H-2A program to find nearly 250 workers every year for their fall …
H-2A Complicated but Necessary Program
Alabama to Host Pair of Meetings for Specialty Crop Producers By Clint Thompson The H-2A program is a complicated process for the most experienced agricultural employer. It can be intimidating for those beginning users just learning how to use the program. Adam Rabinowitz, Alabama Extension economist, is helping lead a pair of meetings on Nov. 2 at Jefferson State Community …
FFVA Requests Moratorium on BMP Site Visits
The Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association (FFVA) is requesting a moratorium on Best Management Practices (BMP) site visits which would alleviate additional burdens placed on farmers impacted by Hurricane Ian. The FFVA sent a letter to Florida Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services Nikki Fried on Thursday, requesting a six-month moratorium. “In an attempt to alleviate any additional burdens on …
FDACS Suspends BMP Site Visits to Counties Heavily Impacted by Hurricane Ian
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) suspended Best Management Practice (BMP) site visits to the counties most impacted by Hurricane Ian. The emergency order was declared on Monday and will be in place through Dec. 30, 2022. The counties include Brevard, Broward, Charlotte, Collier, Desoto, Flagler, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lake, Lee, Manatee, Marion, …
Next UF/IFAS Hurricane Ian Assessment Expected in Mid-November
By Clint Thompson Hurricane Ian’s impact on seasonal crops, livestock, nursery and aquaculture will cost Florida farmers between $787 and $1.5 billion. University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences economists hope to narrow that financial impact as additional data is obtained from farmers. Christa Court, UF/IFAS assistant professor of regional economics and director of the economic impact analysis …
Inaugural Global Produce and Floral Show Hosted in Orlando
By Frank Giles The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) hosted the first Global Produce & Floral Show in Orlando this weekend. Formerly known as the Fresh Summit, the new name and event was launched after the merger of the Produce Marketing Association and Untied Fresh created IFPA. Thousands of attendees from approximately 40 countries gathered at the Orange County Convention …
Alabama H-2A Meeting Scheduled for Nov. 7
Alabama specialty crop growers are reminded that the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries, Alabama Department of Labor and Alabama Cooperative Extension will educate growers on the H-2A guest worker program during an in-person educational session on Nov. 7. It will be held from 8 a.m. to noon in the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries auditorium at 1445 Federal …
Sneak Peek: November 2022 Specialty Crop Industry Magazine
The November issue of Specialty Crop Industry Magazine provides a look at Hurricane Ian and its impact on Florida’s blueberry and strawberry crops. The storm passed through Florida in late September. It brought rains and heavy winds that flooded blueberry bushes and delayed strawberry plantings. Denise Attaway, a writer/editor for the College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences at Clemson …