Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: Producers Speak Out on Skyrocketing Production Costs

Clint ThompsonSpecialty Crop Grower Magazine

By Frank Giles and Clint Thompson Inflation has touched consumers and businesses across the spectrum in the United States. It has been particularly problematic for farmers trying to remain profitable in a business where margins are tight. “Inflation is a very concerning problem and has impacted all of agriculture in a significant way,” said Tony DiMare, president of DiMare Fresh. …

Industry Leader’s Belief in UGA Grand Farm: We Have to Have It

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson The opening of the University of Georgia (UGA) Grand Farm in early May provides hope to specialty crop producers that innovative technologies could one day replace costly labor expenses that are negating potential profits. One fruit grower believes in its mission and helped provide legislative support for the research site, located adjacent to the Perry Fairgrounds. “I …

Cutting Back: Cost Reductions Required for Pecan Producers

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson The main theme of University of Georgia Extension pecan meetings this winter is informing growers how to cut costs. It may be through variety selection or reducing irrigation and fertilizer inputs. Georgia growers need to reduce expenses if they are going to remain sustainable, says Lenny Wells, University of Georgia Extension pecan specialist. “I think we’ve got …

Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: The Last Word

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Kenneth Parker Committed Florida Strawberry Industry Back on Track For over a century, eastern Hillsborough County has been the cornerstone of the Florida strawberry industry. Today, the industry spans nearly 15,000 acres and contributes more than $1.5 billion to the local economy in eastern Hillsborough alone. The industry is composed of 65 farm families, many of whom have been …

Tomato Breeding: One Way to Decrease Costly Need for Labor

Clint ThompsonFlorida, Tomatoes

By Clint Thompson Labor expenses are a costly input for Florida tomato producers and serve as a significant reason the industry is emphasizing research into automated harvesters. Opinions vary on whether that dream ultimately becomes a reality, though University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) tomato breeder Jessica Chitwood-Brown insists there are alternative ways for growers to …

Wage Rate

Sens. Rick Scott and Mike Crapo Urge Freeze to Ag Wage Rate

Dan CooperAgribusiness, Labor, Legislative, Specialty Crops

Sen. Rick Scott joined Sen. Mike Crapo and 14 of their Senate colleagues in sending a letter to Senate leadership urging it include a freeze to the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) in the earliest possible legislative vehicle. Joining Senators Scott and Crapo were Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Kevin Cramer (R-North Dakota), Pete Ricketts (R-Nebraska), Tim Scott (R-South Carolina), Roger …

Labor, Trade Highlight FFVA Letter to USDA

Clint ThompsonFlorida

The Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association (FFVA) is urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to strengthen Florida’s specialty crop industry. The FFVA submitted a letter to the USDA last week, outlining recommendations on how it could better support the state’s specialty crop industry, through the USDA’s Specialty Crop Competitiveness Initiative. The recommendations stemmed from the current challenges Florida growers …

Sen. Tuberville Leads Effort to Freeze AEWR

Clint ThompsonAlabama, Labor

Count U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) as one legislator trying to use his political influence to reverse recent action on the Adverse Effect Wage Rate. Along with nine other senators, Tuberville sent a letter (dated Feb. 6) to the leadership of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees, requesting action to freeze H-2A wage rates at the January 2023 levels and …