Montgomery, Ala. – Alabamians from across the state came together on Saturday, July 26, to celebrate the bounty and beauty of locally grown products on Sweet Grown Alabama Day. From farmers markets and roadside stands to grocery stores and community events, the day was filled with pride, flavor and support for Alabama’s farmers and fishermen. Sweet Grown Alabama Day served as …
Cold-Hardy Citrus Production: A Learning Process
Production in the cold-hardy citrus region continues to be a learning process for growers. Producers in North Florida, South Georgia and South Alabama are learning this year the price of alternate bearing for their satsuma mandarin crop. After a heavy crop load last season, production is expected to taper off quite a bit this season across the cold-hardy citrus region. …
Southeast Specialty Crop Leaders Provide Overview of Production Season
By Clint Thompson Fruit and vegetable farmers have mostly concluded their summer harvests and are now preparing for the upcoming fall season. Chris Butts, executive director of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA), highlighted the challenges associated with spring production and what growers experienced this summer’s harvests. “I think it kind of depends on who you ask. In …
Alabama Peaches Not Yielding Like Expected This Year
By Clint Thompson Alabama’s peach crop this year was on par with the 2024 crop up until harvest season. Harvests did not finish that way, however, according to Edgar Vinson, assistant research professor and Extension specialist in the Department of Horticulture at Auburn University. He discussed this year’s yields as harvest season continues for producers. “It was kind of a …
Chairman Thompson: Really Excited for Specialty Crops
By Clint Thompson The specialty crop sector benefited from the recently passed One Big Beautiful Bill. That was a point of emphasis from Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson (PA-15), chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture, during his talk last week at the Southern Peanut Growers Conference in Panama City Beach, Florida. The legislation provided a boost to crop research, which directly impacts …
Poor Air Flow in Pecan Orchards Contributing to More Scab Disease
By Clint Thompson Scab disease has been more prevalent in some pecan orchards this year compared to others. A significant factor is how tight some trees are in orchards and the lack of air flow that is circulated. That has contributed to the disease being more problematic for some Southeast producers than others, says Lenny Wells, University of Georgia Extension …
Clemson Extension Agents Provide Crop Updates
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. Coastal Region Anna Sara Hill Zack Snipes Midlands Rob Last Pee Dee Brittney King Upstate Andy Rollins Sponsored ContentNuseed Carinata Covers New GroundNovember 1, 2024TriEst Ag Group: Partners in ProfitabilityApril 1, 2024SECURE FUNDING NOW …
Increased Scab Disease in Pecan Orchards Amid Rainy Summer
By Clint Thompson Scab disease’s persistence in this year’s Southeast pecans says more about the amount of rain the region has received this summer than fungicide ineffectiveness. Lenny Wells, University of Georgia Extension pecan specialist, spoke about the subject in a recent UGA Extension Pecan Blog. He emphasized that rainfall accumulation has been high during June and July, including in …
Region’s Specialty Crop Leaders Applaud National Farm Security Action Plan
By Clint Thompson Farm security is national security, and the Trump administration is ensuring both are protected with the National Farm Security Action Plan. The plan highlights agriculture as a focus of the nation’s national security, addressing threats from foreign adversaries, including China. “We feed the world. We lead the world. And we’ll never let foreign adversaries control our land, …
Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: Southeast Sweet Corn/Good Weather, Weak Prices
By Clint Thompson The absence of extreme weather during this year’s sweet corn season in Florida benefited production but negatively impacted market prices. Weather conditions cooperated, as the state’s sweet corn growers produced a strong crop that was both high in quality and quantity. However, it also led to excess supply, which led to a drop in demand. Market prices …



















