Potential Dry Weather Impacts on North Florida Watermelons

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Clint Thompson North Florida watermelon producers have dodged disease buildup with this year’s crop due to the lingering drought conditions present in the region. But that doesn’t mean growers should not be on high alert. Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, highlighted what producers should …

Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: Producers Seek USMCA Improvements

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Frank Giles When the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) went into effect in July 2020, specialty crop growers in the Southeast were disappointed the replacement of the North American Free Trade Agreement did little to protect their domestic interests and markets. When the agreement was crafted, it included a provision that the USMCA would undergo a joint review to assess …

Southeastern Specialty Crop Technology Conference Scheduled for May 5-6

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson A glimpse into agriculture’s future will be on display at the Southeastern Specialty Crop Technology Conference & Show on May 5-6 at the University of Georgia (UGA) Tifton Campus Conference Center in Tifton, Georgia. Registration remains open for the event which is expected to attract fruit and vegetable growers, university faculty and students, Agtech startups and robotics …

What’s Happening? Clemson Extension Agents Provide Crop Updates in Region

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 Sarah Scott Upstate Report Andy Rollins Sponsored ContentNew Syngenta Varieties Offer Grower SolutionsFebruary 1, 2026Attribute® II Technology Adds More Flexibility and Strength to Sweet Corn …

Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: Florida Citrus Show a Day of Education, Enjoyment

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By AgNet Media Staff The Florida Citrus Show marked another successful event in March in Fort Pierce. The show provided attendees with a fun, informative day to learn about citrus and specialty crops while engaging with exhibitors during the tailgate-style trade show. CRAFT Update Citrus Research and Field Trial (CRAFT) programs have been very popular with growers and have incentivized …

‘Golding’ Variety New Option for Pecan Producers

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson Southeast pecan growers will soon have a new variety at their disposal. University of Georgia pecan breeder Patrick Conner discussed the ‘Golding’ variety at the recent Georgia Pecan Growers Association Conference in Perry, Georgia. “It’s selected for having exceptional quality, good yield and good scab resistance. We think it’ll be a general use cultivar for growers who …

NCAE CEO Discusses Interim Final Rule

Clint ThompsonUncategorized

By Clint Thompson The interim final rule (IFR) revising the methodology used to determine H-2A’s adverse effect wage rate (AEWR) was a win for specialty crop growers. The industry will score an even bigger victory once the rule becomes permanent. John Hollay, president and CEO of the National Council of Agricultural Employers (NCAE), discussed the interim final rule and what …

Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: Grower Collaboration Critical for Beneficial Research

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Frank Giles In 1862, President Lincoln signed the Morrill Act into law. The legislation created the land-grant university system that was intended to teach about farming practices and serve agriculture. That mission continues to this day, and you see land-grant universities in the Southeast cited often in this magazine. Those institutions have played a vital role in the advancement …