By Clint Thompson The annual Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference is just days away in Savannah, Georgia. While regular registration ends Tuesday, Jan. 7, on-site registration will still be available from Jan. 9-11. The yearly conference caters to fruit and vegetable production in Florida, Georgia, Alabama and the Carolinas. The production seminars, scheduled for Thursday, Friday and Saturday, will …
$21 Billion Disaster Relief Assistance ‘Will Be Beneficial’ to Farmers
By Clint Thompson Disaster relief assistance included in the American Relief Act, 2025, will not totally compensate for the losses specialty crop producers experienced this year related to hurricane damage. But the $21 billion set aside for farmers will help, especially those in the Southeast that suffered through Hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton. Bob Redding, who works for the Redding …
Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: Bringing World’s Produce Industry Together
By Clint Thompson The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) remains committed to “fighting for fresh.” IFPA serves as a strong advocate for farmers and strives to increase consumption of specialty crops around the world. Cathy Burns, chief executive officer of IFPA, shared her organization’s message during the Global Produce and Floral Show in Atlanta in mid-October. “We’re going to fight …
Georgia Citrus Crop Outlook Following Hurricane Helene
More than a month removed from Hurricane Helene, Georgia citrus growers have a better idea of the impact the devastating storm had on this year’s crop. All things considered, Georgia growers are fortunate with the fruit that is still left to be harvested, says Lindy Savelle, executive director of the Georgia Citrus Association. “Everything we’ve heard so far is that …
FDACS Urges USDA to Issue Disaster Declaration for Hurricane Milton Agricultural Damage
Preliminary Agricultural Damage Assessment Estimates Losses at $1.5 – $2.5 Billion (FDACS/TALLAHASSEE, FL/October 17, 2024) — Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson sent a letter [ 1.1 MB ] to the United States Secretary of Agriculture formally requesting a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Disaster Declaration for Florida counties impacted by Hurricane Milton. Hurricane Milton caused catastrophic damage to Florida’s agricultural producers, compounding losses and …
Double Whammy: Georgia Pecan Producer Suffers Devastating Loss for Second Straight Year
By Clint Thompson For the second straight year, a major hurricane has devastated Georgia’s pecan crop. South Georgia pecan farmer Buck Paulk has felt the brunt of that devastation for the second year in a row. Paulk, one of the state’s largest pecan producers with 4,100 acres, is located in Ray City, Georgia. It was on the east side of …
Ag Commissioner Simpson Launches Natural Disaster Recovery Loan Program for Farmers Impacted by Hurricane Helene
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson has announced that Florida farmers and growers impacted by Hurricane Helene can now apply for interest-free loans through the Agriculture and Aquaculture Producers Natural Disaster Recovery Loan Program. Loans can be used by eligible producers to restore, repair, or replace essential physical property – including fences, equipment, greenhouses, and other buildings – …
Storm Aftermath: GFVGA Executive Director Discusses Hurricane Helene Impacts
By Clint Thompson The Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA) does not have a full scope on the damage left by Hurricane Helene last week. But it knows it was devastating and widespread. Fall crops were in the ground. Blueberry bushes were vulnerable and so were citrus and pecan trees. Chris Butts, executive director of the GFVGA, talked about …
Hurricane Debby Assessment: Florida Ag Production Losses Top $93 Million
The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Economic Impact Analysis Program (EIAP) assesses between $93.7 million and $263.2 million in agricultural production losses for Florida due to Hurricane Debby on Aug. 5. The preliminary report is based on surveys with producers. The Category 1 storm made landfall on Aug. 5 near Steinhatchee, Florida and affected more …
Impact of Hurricane Debby on North Florida Citrus
By Clint Thompson High wind speeds were prevalent when Hurricane Debby passed through the North Florida region last week. Perry, Florida, received the brunt of those winds. According to Lisa Strange, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension agent in Taylor County, wind speeds were recorded at 80 miles per hour. It led to some citrus trees …