WASHINGTON, D.C. (November 16, 2020) – The American organic produce sector is big and complex. It accounts for more sales than any other organic sector, and its production regions stretch across the United States reaping a dizzying array of fruits and vegetables. The issues facing organic produce growers, processors and distributors are equally wide-ranging: food safety, labor issues, labeling/packaging issues and …
Clemson Extension Agents Provide Crop Updates
Clemson Extension agents provided updates in The South Carolina Grower this week about the status of various crops being produced throughout the state. Weekly Field Update – 11/9/20 Coastal Zack Snipes reports, “It seems like we experience fall and summer in the same day this time of year. I visited a few farms and saw residual damage from whiteflies (silver leaves, virus, and …
CFAP 2 Application Deadline is Dec. 11
Producers impacted by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and qualify for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) 2 still have time to submit their applications. The deadline is Dec. 11. It is open to growers of specialty crops, including fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, honey, horticulture and maple sap. The United States Department of Agriculture implemented this program to provide producers financial …
U.S. Looking for Trade Action Against Fresh Produce Imports
Fresh produce coming into the United States is receiving increased scrutiny from the Trump Administration. Imported strawberries are now on the list of imported items that the administration wants investigated for possibly harming U.S. fruit and vegetable growers. Strawberry imports, mainly from Mexico, represent about 16% of the U.S. market, valued at approximately $2.5 billion every year. Gro-Intelligence Dot Com …
Mulch Improves Water Conservation in Vegetable Production
By Juan Carlos DÃaz-Pérez For centuries, horticulturists have modified the crop microenvironment to extend the production season and enhance crop growth, yield and quality. Some of the techniques to achieve environmental modification include the use of mulches, high tunnels, greenhouses, etc. Mulches are widely used in both conventional and organic vegetable production. According to Wikipedia, “a mulch is a layer …
Plethora of Plant Diseases Following Rainy Season for Alabama Producers
A wet 2020 has had Alabama vegetable and specialty crop producers fending off plant diseases. Even before the state encountered a couple of hurricanes, including Sally in mid-September and Zeta in late October, it had already received its share of rainfall. Not surprisingly, the excess moisture led to numerous plant diseases, according to Ed Sikora, professor and Extension plant pathologist …
UGA Researcher Part of Grant Studying Efficacy of Essential Oils in Organic Fruit Production
Organic agricultural production is increasing in Georgia. Jonathan Oliver, University of Georgia (UGA) assistant professor and small fruits pathologist, wants to help producers be more efficient by researching ways to protect organic blueberries from diseases. According to UGA Extension, the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture awarded a $2 million grant to the team of 15 …
Hurricane Eta Soaks Already Saturated South Florida
An already saturated South Florida was inundated with rainfall from Hurricane Eta this week. The result were fruit that were either lost or will suffer from expected disease pressure, according to Gene McAvoy, University of Florida Regional Vegetable Extension Agent IV Emeritus. “We did have quite a lot of rain. We didn’t really need it. I’m sure we’ll see more …
Remember to Plant Fruit Trees During Dormancy
Soon it will be time for homeowners and commercial growers to plant their fruit trees in Alabama. Edgar Vinson, assistant research professor and Extension specialist in the Department of Horticulture at Auburn University, reminds producers, whether they’re planting peach trees or apple trees, the time to do so is during the late fall or winter when the plants are dormant. …
Pecan Prices Remain Low
Rain and wind this week have made it a challenge for Georgia pecan producers harvesting this year’s crop. Farmers still can’t find a ray of sunshine amid declining prices. According to the USDA Pecan Report that was released on Tuesday, prices are lower than a week ago and most farmers with export quality pecans are holding them in storage until …