By Clint Thompson Most of Alabama has experienced sufficient rainfall in recent weeks. That’s provided much of the state with adequate moisture. However, one area could use some rain showers, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Abnormally dry weather conditions are being observed across most of southern Alabama. Neil Kelly, Alabama regional Extension agent in Southeast Alabama talked about the …
Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: Building a Stronger Future for Georgia’s Specialty Crop Industry
By Tyler J Harper Georgia’s specialty crop growers are the backbone of a diverse and resilient agricultural economy. From fruits and tree nuts to vegetables, specialty crops play a critical role in feeding families, supporting rural communities and strengthening Georgia’s position as a national leader in agriculture. In 2024 alone, specialty crops contributed a massive $1.5 billion farm-gate value and …
Post Watermelon Season: Sanitation Key in Reducing Whitefly Populations
By Clint Thompson Harvest season has come and gone for most watermelon growers in the Southeast. While producers are done producing this year’s crop, they are not done with its management. Growers are encouraged to disk any unwanted melons in the field once the season has ended, according to Tim Coolong, associate professor in the University of Georgia College of …
NCAE CEO: H-2A Program Needs To Be Streamlined
By Clint Thompson The H-2A program can be a complicated process for fruit and vegetable growers who are trying to remain in compliance. John Hollay, president and CEO of the National Council of Agricultural Employers (NCAE), believes the Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act will help with making the process more streamlined. “We’ve got folks who have done everything right. All of …
Biocontrol Technologies Enters Distribution Agreement with Wilbur-Ellis
Biocontrol Technologies, a specialist company in biological crop protection solutions, has announced that it has entered into a distribution agreement with Wilbur-Ellis Agribusiness, one of the largest agricultural retailers in the United States. The agreement is intended to support the commercialization of T34 Biocontrol® in the U.S. market. Under the terms of the agreement, Wilbur-Ellis Agribusiness will distribute T34 Biocontrol …
Pathologist Provides Update on HLB Spread in Georgia
Citrus greening disease continues to loom over the cold-hardy citrus region. While the industry expands in South Georgia and North Florida, the threat of the disease (also known as huanglongbing, or HLB) remains a focal point of citrus meetings, including on July 28 at the Southeast Georgia Citrus Update in Lyons. Jonathan Oliver, University of Georgia (UGA) assistant professor and …
SCFBA Remains Optimistic Despite Senate’s Failure to Advance Farm Bill Out of Committee
By Clint Thompson The Senate Agriculture Committee’s failure to advance the farm bill on Thursday was mostly due to disagreements over Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). That’s an unfortunate development for members of the specialty crops community, including Kam Quarles, CEO of the National Potato Council and co-chair of the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance (SCFBA). “Sadly, those things are …
Clemson Extension Agents Provide Crop Updates
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 Zack Snipes Midlands Report Rob Last Daniel Lyon Sponsored ContentNew Syngenta Varieties Offer Grower SolutionsFebruary 1, 2026Attribute® II Technology Adds More Flexibility and Strength to Sweet Corn Pest ManagementJanuary 1, 2026Nuseed Carinata Covers New GroundNovember …
Freeze Protection Discussed at Southeast Georgia Citrus Update
Freeze protection is a vital part of university research in the cold-hardy citrus region. Growers in South Georgia, South Alabama and North Florida only have to look back to last season to see temperatures that dropped to dangerously low levels for citrus production. Mary Sutton, University of Georgia (UGA) assistant professor and citrus Extension specialist, discussed freeze-protection measures at the …
Numbers Don’t Lie: Minimal Interest from Domestic Workers in Agriculture
By Clint Thompson A domestic workforce for specialty crop producers is all but nonexistent. It is why growers, specialty crop organizations and industry specialists support reform to the current H-2A system. Reform is needed to ensure farmers have a reliable workforce for years to come. John Hollay, president and CEO of the National Council of Agricultural Employers praised U.S. Representative …


















