By Clint Thompson Hurricane Ian’s potential path through Georgia and South Carolina could impact peach trees in the region. Phil Brannen, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension fruit disease specialist, discussed what high winds associated with a hurricane could do to peach trees. “Assuming that it comes through with pretty heavy winds in the middle Georgia area, South Georgia, anywhere you …
Registration Open for Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference
Registration is now open for the Southeast (SE) Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference, the south’s premier fruit and vegetable educational conference and trade show for growers, packers, and shippers. Co-sponsored by the South Carolina Peach Council and Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA), the 2023 SE Regional Conference will return to the Savannah Convention Center in Savannah, Georgia, on …
Hurricane Ian Preparation Considerations for South Carolina Fruit and Vegetable Crops
Hurricane Ian is approaching the Southeast and is expected to bring significant amounts of rain and heavy winds to South Carolina over the weekend. The latest forecasts show Ian traveling northeast towards the Atlantic, then northward through western South Carolina. Clemson Extension agents advise specialty crop growers in The South Carolina Grower to be prepared to experience damaging winds, excessive …
Legislative Visits Valuable for GFVGA
By Clint Thompson Legislative visits can serve as a valuable message from agricultural organizations to their representatives in Washington D.C. For the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA), its message to Senator Jon Ossoff earlier this month emphasized the need for legislative help pertaining to various challenges that farmers like Aries Haygood and Bill Brim face in Georgia. “In …
Florida Tomato Specialist: Promotions, Marketing Need to Improve
By Clint Thompson Florida’s tomato industry needs to improve its promotional efforts in educating consumers about the benefits of supporting locally grown produce. That is the stance shared by Michael Schadler, manager of the Florida Tomato Committee and executivevice president of the Florida Tomato Exchange. He stressed during the Florida Tomato Conference in Labelle, Florida earlier this month that Florida …
NCDA&CS Offers Organic Certification Cost-Share Assistance
RALEIGH (N.C.) – Organic growers in North Carolina (N.C.) can apply for partial reimbursement of the cost of becoming certified or for recertification through a program offered by the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Growers who are certified or recertified between Oct. 1, 2021 and Sept. 30, 2022, can apply for assistance through the program. “Applicants can be …
Florida Agriculture Braces for Hurricane Ian
As Hurricane Ian approaches landfall this week, state agriculture associations and agencies are springing into action to prepare for the storm. Several events schedule for the week have been cancelled or postponed, including Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association’s Labor Relations Forum planned for Sept. 28-30 in Orlando. The association will provide further information on new dates for the event. Matt …
Small U-Pick Farm Expands by Adding New Products for Customers
By Frank Giles Beginning farmers face obstacles when there is no land, equipment and expertise being handed down from one generation to the next. But many multigenerational farms face similar challenges when family transitions take place. The Casey family in Hernando County has dealt with those issues as the younger generation sought to keep the farming tradition alive. Jeff Casey, …
Pecan Producers on Alert with Hurricane Ian
By Clint Thompson Hurricane Ian’s impending path through South Georgia has pecan farmers on heightened alert this week. Though Ian is expected to be downgraded by the time it leaves Florida, it is still expected to bring high wind gusts and heavy rain events later this week and into the weekend. That is not good news for pecan producers on …
What’s Next? Grape Producers Should Protect Vineyards After Harvest
By Clint Thompson The grape season has concluded or will soon end for producers in Southeast. But management continues after the final grape is harvested. University of Georgia Cooperative Extension fruit disease specialist Phil Brannen highlighted what growers should be doing this time of year and its significance heading into next season. “The biggest thing they can do and it’s …