The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) released key findings from a vegetable survey it conducted with growers in Florida, Georgia and South Carolina. Florida tomato production in 2024 totaled 638 million pounds, a decrease of 27% from 2023. The value of utilized production for tomatoes was $331 million, down 32% from last year. Sweet corn …
Thrips Populations Increasing in Southern Florida
Thrips populations are increasing across multiple areas in southern Florida. This is according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. Scouts reported moderate levels of chili thrips and low levels of flower thrips in strawberry fields in central Florida. Population levels are increasing in Southwest Florida. Levels have increased from low to moderate for flower thrips and melon thrips. …
Georgia Connections at Federal Level a Boost for State’s Specialty Crop Producers
By Clint Thompson Georgia’s connections to the Trump administration provides hope to one Georgia vegetable producer that legislative leaders will provide solutions to their plethora of problems. Doug Collins was recently confirmed as Trump’s Veterans Affairs secretary. He is a Georgia native and previously served in the Georgia and U.S. House of Representatives. Kelly Loeffler was Trump’s nominee to lead …
Commissioner Wilton Simpsom Highlights Florida Farm Bill
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson is highlighting the Florida Farm Bill and its proposal to protect Florida’s farmers and ranchers from environmental, social and governance (ESG) lending discrimination from financial institutions. The proposal will prohibit financial institutions from using ESG scoring to restrict services and capital to farmers. Traditional lending determination options, such as the evaluation of …
Vidalia Onion Crop ‘Looks Good’ Amid Numerous Weather Challenges
By Clint Thompson Chris Tyson, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension area onion agent, is optimistic about this year’s Vidalia onion crop halfway through the season. That optimism speaks volumes considering the weather challenges that have threatened production this year. “We’ve had several obstacles in our way this year. First was Hurricane Helene which caused some plant losses and stand losses …
AI Technology Uses Less Herbicide to Kill Weeds
Vegetable growers use herbicides to kill weeds to prevent crop loss. A University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) researcher is using artificial intelligence (AI) to reduce herbicide sprayed on crops. “We are building multiple AI-powered herbicide application units, each of which works in different ways,” said Nathan Boyd a UF/IFAS weed scientist and horticultural sciences professor …
Sweet Grown Alabama Continues to Be Valuable Resource for State’s Farmers
By Clint Thompson The Sweet Grown Alabama branding program continues to be a valuable resource for the state’s agriculture industry to connect with consumers. Founded in 2019, the program allows specialty crop producers and their farming operations to be included in a database that serves consumers who want to support locally grown produce. They could be searching for strawberries, peaches, …
UGA Research: New Planting Approach in Vidalia Onions
By Clint Thompson University of Georgia research in Vidalia onions has yielded a new approach to planting the crop. Ted McAvoy, University of Georgia Extension vegetable specialist, wants growers to maximize their area to produce more plants per acre. Because of the threshold of the recommended spacing between plants, McAvoy offered an alternative method. “Most all of the work that’s …
Alabama Producer: We Need to Continue to Tell Our Story
By Clint Thompson Alabama’s fruit and vegetable industry has room for growth. But how does it get there? It was a point of emphasis during a panel discussion at the recent Alabama Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association Conference and Trade Show in Gulf Shores, Alabama. Industry leaders like producer Taylor Hatchett discussed specialty crops and how the industry can grow …
U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council Seeks Nominees for State Member Positions
FOLSOM, Calif. – Members of the highbush (cultivated) blueberry industry are now seeking nominees to fill U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) state member and alternate positions for the 2026 to 2028 term. The nomination period will begin on March 21, 2025. Eight USHBC state member and alternate seats need to be filled for the term of office beginning Jan. 1, …



















