SCFBA Co-Chair: Window Open to Get Farm Bill Completed

Clint ThompsonFarm Bill, Florida

By Clint Thompson The time is now for legislative leaders to strike a deal on the next farm bill. The House has already released its version. The Senate recently released its draft. The window is open for this important piece of legislation to get passed, says Kam Quarles, CEO of the National Potato Council and co-chair of the Specialty Crop …

bamboo

Bamboo Field Day Features the Evolving Industry in Florida

Dan CooperEvent, Florida

The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) hosted a bamboo field day in July at Phillip Rucks Citrus Nursery in Frostproof. Scientists at the UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC) have initiated several projects to evaluate bamboo varieties and production practices. Phillip Rucks has planted numerous bamboo varieties for evaluation and sells bamboo plants to …

Clemson Extension Agents Provide Crop Updates

Clint ThompsonSouth Carolina

Weekly Field Update Clemson Extension agents provide updates in The South Carolina Grower this week about the status of various crops being produced throughout the state. Lowcountry Report Anna Sara Hill Zack Snipes Midlands Report Rob Last Daniel Lyon Upstate Report Andy Rollins Sponsored ContentNew Syngenta Varieties Offer Grower SolutionsFebruary 1, 2026Attribute® II Technology Adds More Flexibility and Strength to …

Cost-Saving Tactic: Pecan Producers May Delay Fertilizer Applications

Clint ThompsonGeorgia, Pecan

By Clint Thompson Lenny Wells, University of Georgia Extension pecan specialist, reminds pecan producers that fertilizer applications are necessary but can be delayed. Wells noted in the UGA Extension Pecan Blog that growers who consider making a second nitrogen application, that process can be done anytime from now through August. The second application will be mostly helping the tree for …

Corteva’s Transform Insecticide an Effective Option Against Jassid

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson The cotton jassid’s impact on certain vegetable crops means Southeast growers need a management plan. Corteva’s Transform® WG Insecticide is that tool growers can count on, says Jared Walls, Corteva Technical Field Agronomist in Georgia, who also covers Alabama and Florida. “The good news is Transform is currently labeled on many of those specialty crops. When you …

Scientists Try to Limit Tomato Disease from Spreading Via Grower Spraying

Clint ThompsonFlorida

Bacterial spot disease isn’t just a nuisance for tomato growers – it’s a relentless, weather-powered villain that can ruin a field of promising fruit. When warm rains roll in and humidity hangs in the air, the pathogen behind bacterial spot comes alive, spreading fast and scarring tomatoes so they can’t be sold. Growers rely on fungicides to fight the disease, …

GFVGA Executive Director: We Have to Remain Unified Amid Potential Labor Reform

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson Additional work is required for the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA) and other specialty crop groups who want the Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act to become permanent. The recently released legislation, introduced by U.S. Representative GT Thompson, would bring much-needed reform to the H-2A system. But more week is needed to make the first reform to …

Producer Perspective: Alabama Peach Grower Discusses This Year’s Crop

Clint ThompsonAlabama

By Clint Thompson Most of Alabama’s peach farmers felt the sting of an early spring freeze event. It wiped out much of the state’s early varieties, including some on Mike Reeves’ farm in Hartselle, Alabama. “We got hurt by the freeze on our early varieties and our late varieties but most of our mid-season varieties are in pretty good shape,” …

Sweet Grown Alabama Farm to Table Dinner Scheduled for Aug. 13

Clint ThompsonAlabama

By Clint Thompson Sweet Grown Alabama’s next big event will involve specialty crop growers and industry leaders from across the state. The organization’s sixth annual Farm to Table dinner is slated for Thursday, Aug. 13 at Lazenby Farms in Auburn, Alabama. Aisling Walding, Assistant Director of Sweet Grown Alabama, discussed the event, which will be held from 6:30 p.m. to …

Fusarium Wilt, Nutsedge Still Top Challenges for North Florida Watermelon Producers

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Clint Thompson The final email sent to North Florida watermelon producers by Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, recapped this season in the Suwannee Valley. Hochmuth once again stressed the significance of fusarium wilt and nutsedge and their impacts on watermelon production in the region. …