By Josh Paine for UGA CAES News An online tool developed by the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences is helping produce growers assess their water quality and prepare for increased testing requirements. Uttam Saha, a program coordinator at the UGA Agricultural and Environmental Services Labs, developed an online calculator and simulator to help educate farmers and …
Clemson Vegetable Pathologist Cautions Growers About Potential Diseases
By Clint Thompson One Clemson Extension vegetable pathologist has observed downy mildew disease and fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveneum disease on his research plots and cautions vegetable growers in South Carolina to be on the lookout for both. “This is strictly based on observations from my research plots here in Charleston. I have not been out to any commercial fields,” …
Georgia Pecan Growers Voting on One-Cent Assessment
By Clint Thompson Georgia pecan growers are voting this month to renew a one-cent per pound assessment on pecans for the Georgia Agriculture Commodity Commission for Pecans. According to Andy Harrison, commodity commissions manager for the Georgia Department of Agriculture, ballots have been sent to Georgia growers of 30 acres or more. They will vote on the assessment, which is …
Sweet Grown Alabama Connects Growers to Consumers
By Clint Thompson Alabama fruit and vegetable farmers have an outlet to market their produce statewide. Thanks to Sweet Grown Alabama, a non-profit foundation that connects farmers in the state to retailers and consumers, growers can market their produce anywhere in the state. “This database launch is the culmination of many months of work,” said Ellie Watson, Sweet Grown Alabama …
Presence of Powdery Mildew a Concern for Southeast Vegetable Growers
By Clint Thompson Powdery mildew disease is present on older squash in various vegetable fields across South Florida. According to the South Florida Vegetable Pest and Disease Hotline, respondents report that the disease has also started to show up on watermelon crops across the region as well. It’s also reported that powdery mildew is showing up on squash and cantaloupe …
Downy Mildew Disease a Problem for Florida Growers
By Clint Thompson Downy mildew disease is present in cucurbits like squash and cucumber around South Florida and is getting worse. According to the South Florida Vegetable Pest and Disease Hotline, respondents report that the disease is showing up in most watermelons and infections have increased in areas hit hard by rainfall. “Around Manatee County, respondents report that downy mildew …
N.C. Hemp Meeting Yields Updated Number of Growers
The North Carolina Industrial Hemp Commission met on Friday. According to Paul Adams, with the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, there are 1,481 licensed hemp growers, 17,167.3 licensed acres, 7.2 million licensed square feet of greenhouse space and 1,061 registered processors. For full story, see North Carolina State story. Sponsored ContentNew Syngenta Varieties Offer Grower SolutionsFebruary 1, …
North Carolina Growers Await Decision on Hemp Licensing
By Ashley Robinson North Carolina is still operating under the state’s pilot program, just as it has since 2017 when the program started. If you want to grow hemp, you will need to apply for a license from the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (NCDA&CS). However, that will all change soon. “Something is going to have to …
Why Some Florida Growers Aren’t Breaking Soil
By Ashley Robinson When you think of Florida agriculture, hydroponic production in greenhouses or high tunnels probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. While the majority of the Sunshine State’s vegetable crops are produced outdoors, there is increasing interest in the use of protective structures for producing crops. Although the number of protected agriculture operations in Florida remain …
Georgia Blueberry Growers Work to Overcome Challenges
By Ashley Robinson University of Georgia area Extension blueberry agent Renee Holland is confident about this year’s crop despite a challenging season. “This season, we have a beautiful blueberry crop load in Georgia,” Holland siad. “The berry quality is excellent, and thankfully, we’ve had very little disease or pest issues this year.” Challenges Facing Growers Georgia blueberry growers are no …