Alabama Peach Grower: We’re Lucky to Have Anything At All

Clint ThompsonAlabama

By Clint Thompson Alabama’s peach crop is far below what some growers are accustomed to. But many producers are thankful just to have a crop, says Alabama farmer Jeremy Calvert. A mid-March freeze event froze out some of the state’s peaches. “Peaches, I think, can be safely said for the state of Alabama, they’re pretty good. There’s probably something like …

June drop

June Drop Underway in Cold-Hardy Citrus Region

Dan CooperCold Hardy, Production

It may not be June, but growers in the cold-hardy citrus region are experiencing June drop, a natural thinning process in which trees lose a lot of their fruit. Growers should not be alarmed about excess pieces of fruit that may be on the ground, says Mary Sutton, University of Georgia (UGA) assistant professor and citrus Extension specialist. “We are …

US Capitol building with farm fields, dirt road, tractor, and farmhouse in foreground

SCFBA Stresses Farm Bill’s Importance Amid ‘Farm Crisis’

Clint ThompsonFarm Bill, Florida

By Clint Thompson The specialty crop industry scored a recent victory when the House of Representatives approved H.R. 7567, the Farm, Food and National Security Act of 2026. The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance (SCFBA) is now putting the full-court press on the Senate to pass the farm bill as well. Kam Quarles, CEO of the National Potato Council and …

Cost Prohibitive? AI Adoption in Agriculture May Be Limited

Clint ThompsonFruit Drop, Georgia

By Clint Thompson Adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in agriculture is not a foregone conclusion. Despite the technology’s perceived effectiveness in making crop production more efficient, the associated costs are still too high for farmers. “Right now, a lot of these technologies come with huge price tags for just the cost of purchasing the equipment,” said Lynn Sosnoskie, assistant professor …

Watermelon Harvests Beginning Across North Florida

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Clint Thompson Watermelon harvests have started across the Suwanee Valley Region of North Florida. Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, pointed out in his weekly email that harvesting has begun across multiple farms. “I think by the time we get to the end of the …

Sen. Ossoff Introducing Legislation to Cut Taxes for Farmers

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff is introducing legislation to cut taxes for Georgia farmers. Sen. Ossoff introduced the Farm Disaster Tax Cut Act this week to provide eligible farmers with a tax cut after natural disasters, revenue losses or pest outbreaks. The bill would exclude crop insurance indemnity payments, which are made to farmers after they face qualified …

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 Pee Dee Report Brad Fowler Upstate Report Andy Rollins Sponsored ContentNew Syngenta Varieties Offer Grower SolutionsFebruary 1, 2026Attribute® II Technology Adds …

Active Pathogens in North Florida’s Watermelon Region

Clint ThompsonFlorida

Watermelon growers in the Suwanee Valley Region of North Florida must be mindful of potential pathogens that could spark devastating diseases and prematurely end production seasons. Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, noted several disease pathogens in his weekly email. It is important to monitor your …

Rep. Austin Scott Leads House Letter Urging Action on Mexican Specialty Crop Imports

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

Washington, D.C— U.S. Representative Austin Scott (GA-08) led a bipartisan group of 79 members of the U.S. House of Representatives in sending a letter to United States Trade Representative (USTR) Ambassador Jamieson Greer this week to emphasize the importance of fair trade measures for the U.S. specialty crop industry. “America’s growers and producers are the best in the world. Current …