Georgia Watermelon Growers Hope Prices Stabilize

Clint ThompsonUncategorized

By Clint Thompson Watermelon prices have not cooperated for Southeast growers looking to capitalize on their crop this summer. That’s a disheartening scenario for Georgia producers who are in the middle of their harvest season and will continue to be for a couple of more weeks. Tim Coolong, associate professor in the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental …

Field Day

Field Day Touts Vegetable Research

Dan CooperVegetables

In June, the Southwest Florida Research and Education Center (SWFREC) hosted a spring vegetable production field day to highlight research being conducted at the center. As field day attendees disembarked from the tractor-pulled trolleys, SWFREC master’s graduate student Bryan Merlos Osorio grabbed a microphone and quickly began describing the vegetable horticulture research trial in front of them.  Among many things, …

July 1 Important Date Surrounding AEWR

Clint ThompsonLabor

By Clint Thompson Southeast specialty crop growers should circle July 1 on their calendars. It could serve as a pivotal date in producers’ fight against the continued spike of the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR). The National Council of Agricultural Employers (NCAE) and Michael Marsh, president and chief executive officer of the NCAE, challenged the legality of the AEWR. July …

Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: Termination of Tomato Suspension Agreement a Victory

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Clint Thompson The termination of the United States-Mexico Tomato Suspension Agreement is a win for the domestic industry and should increase domestic production across the country. That’s the hope shared by Robert Guenther, executive vice president of the Florida Tomato Exchange. It was announced on April 14 that the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) terminated the 2019 United States-Mexico …

Disease Resistance in Watermelons Under the Research Spotlight

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Clint Thompson Watermelons encounter their share of diseases in the Southeast. BASF/Nunhems is hoping to help producers overcome some of those diseases, especially fusarium wilt. In conjunction with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, BASF/Nunhems hosted its North Florida Watermelon Variety Showcase in Lake Butler, Florida, last week. Ruhiyyih Dyrdahl-Young, Nunhems area sales manager for …

UGA Extension Citrus Specialist Discusses Rust Mites

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson Citrus producers in the Cold-Hardy Citrus Region must be mindful of citrus rust mites (CRM) amid the warm, humid climate in the region. Mary Sutton, University of Georgia (UGA) assistant professor and citrus Extension specialist, implores growers in North Florida, South Georgia and South Alabama to be proactive in managing the populations which are currently high. “They …

Registration Open for Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Clint Thompson Citrus and specialty crop producers from across the Southeast can register for the upcoming Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo, scheduled for Aug. 20-21 at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa, Florida. The two-day event especially appeals to growers and industry leaders in Florida, South Georgia and South Alabama. Morgan Cole, Expo show organizer for AgNet Media, talked …

citrus

Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo Power Panel to Address the Big Ag Issues

Dan CooperCitrus, Citrus and Specialty Crop Expo, Event

There is a lot happening in the world of specialty crops that impact growers’ business operations. The Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo will host a panel discussion with the leaders of three associations to tackle those topics. The panel will include Mike Joyner, Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association; Chris Butts, Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Association and Matt Joyner, Florida Citrus …

Mind Your Melon

Mind Your Melon Event Provides Sneak Peek of Survey Data

Dan CooperAgriculture, As Seen On Instagram, Events, Survey

Mind Your Melon recently hosted an event at Southern Hill Farms in Clermont, Florida, to share some insights on a mental health survey and to inform attendees about future plans for the program. Marshal and Taylor Sewell founded Mind Your Melon to raise awareness of mental health issues among farmers and others involved in agriculture. Marshal’s father took his life …

Sneak Peek: June 2025 Specialty Crop Grower Magazine

Clint ThompsonSpecialty Crop Grower Magazine

The June issue of Specialty Crop Grower Magazine highlights peach production throughout the Southeast. Research plots at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Plant Science Research and Education Unit in Citra, Florida, focus on peach production in high-density orchards. The research includes increased trees per acre, higher yields and automation to handle more of the manual …