Sneak Peek: November 2025 Specialty Crop Grower Magazine

Clint ThompsonFlorida

The November issue of Specialty Crop Grower Magazine highlights Cultiva and its high tunnel vegetable production. With approximately 865 high tunnels, covering a farmable area of about 150 acres, it is an impressive sight to behold in North Florida. But hurricanes in recent years, notably Idalia in 2023 and Helene in 2024, have challenged production. Federico Boscolo with Cultiva discusses …

bed system

Bed System Benefits Citrus Production

Dan CooperCold Hardy, Productionj

A bed system used in citrus groves is still under research at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) North Florida Research and Education Center (NFREC) in Quincy. But one researcher is already convinced that the system, which includes fabric mulch, is beneficial for growers. “This system is better for them. It’s already being used in …

FFVA Issues Letter for H-2A Processing Amid Government Shutdown

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Clint Thompson The Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association (FFVA) recently submitted a letter to the U.S. Office of Management and Budget regarding the ongoing government shutdown and subsequent pause in H-2A labor certification processing. Florida is the largest user of the H-2A program with approximately 50,000 certified positions every year. Timely processing is important to avoid disruption for Florida …

Fungicides’ Importance in Southeast Pecan Production

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson Fungicide applications are an essential management tool for pecan growers in Georgia and Alabama. Weather conditions are conducive to scab disease development in the region that, over time, can cause resistant trees to lose some of their resistance. Case in point: ‘Avalon’ was a variety researched by the University of Georgia (UGA) breeding program and provided excellent …

Mark Your Calendar: UF/IFAS to Host Master Irrigator Drip Irrigation Short Course

Clint ThompsonFlorida

The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) will host a Master Irrigator Drip Irrigation Short Course on Nov. 13, from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Bell Community Center in Bell, Florida. The program is targeted towards watermelon producers in the Suwanee Valley region but is open to growers of any crop interested in learning …

Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: Global Blueberry Production Challenges Domestic Market

Clint ThompsonFlorida, Uncategorized

By Frank Giles The global blueberry market has been evolving over the past 20 years. The fruit has grown in popularity with consumers worldwide. This is a good thing, but it has presented challenges for growers in the Southeast as increased production across the globe competes to supply the demand. Zhengfei Guan, associate professor of economics with the University of …

Strawberry Planting Season: Management Strategy with Neopestalotiopsis Disease

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson How Southeast strawberry growers manage their crops for Neopestalotiopsis (Neo) this year will largely depend on the cleanliness of the plants being brought into the region and the history of the disease in their fields. Phil Brannen, University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension fruit disease specialist, highlighted the disease and current management strategies in the UGA Extension …

NWA Executive Director Encouraged Following Congressional Talks Concerning Ag Labor Reform

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Clint Thompson The National Watermelon Association’s (NWA) visit with Congressional leaders in early September allowed industry leadership to continue to stress the importance of ag labor reform. George Szczepanski, NWA executive director, is more encouraged than he’s ever been that reform is not just a dream but can be a reality. “I’m more optimistic than I have been the …

pruning

Pruning Young Citrus Trees

Dan CooperCold Hardy, Pruning

Pruning is an important management tactic that cold-hardy citrus growers need to implement, especially during the early stages of tree development. Fernando Alferez, a University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) citrus horticulturist, discussed pruning during the Cold-Hardy Citrus Field Day and Workshop in Quincy on Oct. 1. “Pruning is important because it will give the tree …

Registration Open for Southeast Regional

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson It is never too early for fruit and vegetable growers in the Southeast to start thinking about next year’s Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference. Registration is currently under way for the three-day event, scheduled for Jan. 8-10, 2026 at the Savannah Convention Center in Savannah, Georgia. Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA) Director of Membership …