North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services RALEIGH – The first day of summer may be right around the corner, but fresh North Carolina peaches are already available at farmers markets and roadside stands across the state. While not a bumper crop, local growers do expect to have plenty of peaches through Labor Day. “North Carolina grows more than …
Palm Beach County Vegetable Grower Named Florida Farmer of the Year
Florida Farm Bureau Federation Gainesville, Fla. – Florida Farm Bureau Federation has named Rick Roth of Palm Beach County as the 2020 Florida Farmer of the Year. A vegetable, herb, rice, sugarcane and sod producer, Roth is also a member of the Florida House of Representatives. This prestigious honor is awarded to a recipient by a panel of judges based …
UGA, Georgia Department of Agriculture to Offer Digital Marketing Webinar for Agribusinesses
By Kelly Simmons for UGA CAES News The University of Georgia is partnering with the Georgia Department of Agriculture to present a free digital marketing webinar for agribusiness owners looking for alternate ways to sell their products. The webinar will be held on Wednesday June 17 at 10 a.m. by the UGA Small Business Development Center (SBDC), the Department of …
Are Tiny Bugs Hiding Inside Your Strawberries?
By Ashley Robinson A few weeks ago, a viral TikTok video took the internet by storm, showing what appeared to be little worm-like bugs crawling out of fresh strawberries soaked in salt water. Since that video surfaced, many consumers have recreated the video showing similar results. Now, some consumers are panicking. Is this safe? Have we unknowingly been enjoying bugs …
Rapid and Sensitive Method for Detection of Phytophthora Capsici in Irrigation Water Sources
Emran Ali, Owen Hudson, Justin Hand, and Sumyya Waliullah Georgia ranks among the top three states in the nation in vegetable production. One of the most serious diseases in vegetable production in Georgia is Phytophthora blight, caused by the oomycete pathogen Phytophthora capsici. It is a water mold that attacks the roots, foliage, and fruit, causing root rot, crown rot, …
Recent Rains Could Lead to Spike in Pecan Scab Disease
By Clint Thompson Scab disease of pecans has been light so far this year. But could soon change with the recent rain events in the Southeast, says Lenny Wells, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension pecan specialist. “Scab so far has been light, but we’ve had some pretty scabby weather the last week or so. We’ll see, but I think everybody …
UGA Entomologist: Potential Is There for Whitefly Outbreak
By Clint Thompson It is too early to say if this year’s whitefly impact on vegetables and cotton will rival 2017. But University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension vegetable entomologist Stormy Sparks insists the potential is there. Sparks estimates that the whitefly population is about the same as a month ago. There have been some reports of populations existing primarily …
UF/IFAS Remaining Resilient
The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) hosted a virtual statewide discussion for stakeholders on June 8 to provide an update on its initiatives. The emphasis was on efforts and issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic. During the webinar, Nick Place, UF/IFAS Extension dean and director, highlighted Extension’s efforts to address the COVID-19 challenges. “This has …
Perdue Comments on Farmers Competing With Mexican Produce
By Clint Thompson Today’s talk with U.S. Secretary of Ag Sonny Perdue focuses on imports of Mexican produce. It’s been a concern for farmers who are trying to compete against Mexico. It was especially concerning this year as growers, especially in the Southeast, also had to overcome challenges with the coronavirus pandemic. For other testimonials of unfair competition with Mexico, …
CFAP Payments Already Being Issued
By Clint Thompson Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) payments are already starting to be issued across the country to farmers impacted by COVID-19. Some specialty crop growers in the Southeast have already started receiving funds. As of June 8, in Florida, 95 specialty crop applications have been submitted with $11.5 million in payments issued by the USDA. In Georgia, 91 …