For dessert, how about a scoop of ice cream flavored with vanilla from Florida’s farmers? Because so many consumers enjoy vanilla, University of Florida (UF) scientists hope to help Florida farmers grow the bean. Consumers have an appetite for vanilla. The United States leads the world in imported vanilla beans, said Alan Chambers, an assistant professor of horticultural sciences at …
Celebrate Sweet Corn Harvest Season with Local Farmers
WEST PALM BEACH, FLA – Sweet corn season is in full swing in Palm Beach County’s Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA), with farmers projected to harvest 430 million ears of locally grown sweet corn by the end of May. Almost as many ears will be listening for the starting bell that inaugurates the International Federation of Competitive Eaters Corn Eating Contest at …
On Tour in the Everglades Agricultural Area
The Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) is a unique region with a long, rich history. Last week, members of the AgNet Media team had the privilege to visit the EAA and surrounding farm areas to meet with some of the area’s key players. During the three-day tour, the team explored agricultural production systems, ranging from sugar to citrus.  ROTH FARMS …
Target Spot Getting Tougher to Control
Alarming levels of fungicide resistance have been detected among isolates of the pathogen that causes target spot on tomato in Florida. By Gary E. Vallad and Samuel Hutton Fresh-market tomatoes are a valuable crop for Florida and are vulnerable to a number of fungal diseases. However, few fungal diseases have caused as much grower concern over the last six years …
Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: Now Is a Good Time to Give Food-Safety Plan a Checkup
By Frank Giles Recent salmonella outbreaks and recalls in the Southeast are a good reminder for all specialty crop growers to evaluate their food-safety protocols and practices. That’s the message from Michelle Danyluk, a professor of food biology and safety with the University of Florida Institute of Food Agricultural Sciences. “It has been a busy year on the food Danyluk …
Blueberry Management Options for August
The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences has provided guidance for Florida blueberry growers to consider during August. Disease Management Disease management remains important. Growers should be scouting for algal stem blotch as well as other leaf diseases. For producers managing bacterial wilt, they should monitor through irrigation or banded bed applications of a phosphorous acid product. …
House Committee Chairman: Currently Working on Farm Bill 2.0
By Clint Thompson A legislative leader said farm bill 1.0 was part of the Big Beautiful Bill that was recently passed by Congress and signed into law by President Trump. The second part is currently being worked on, according to Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson (PA-15), chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture. He spoke about the farm bill at the Southern Peanut …
Summer Update Informs Growers on Impactful Issues
The annual Citrus Grower’s Summer Update meeting on Aug. 14 in Valdosta, Georgia, provided cold-hardy growers with updates on several factors impacting the industry. Information on topics ranging from snails to phytophthora to Asian citrus psyllid trapping were presented to growers who are on the cusp of harvesting another season’s crop. Jake Price, University of Georgia (UGA) area citrus agent …
Preregistration Deadline for Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo is Aug. 15
By Clint Thompson Southeast specialty crop producers are reminded that Friday, Aug. 15 is the deadline to preregister for the Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo, scheduled for Aug. 20-21 at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa, Florida. Those interested can click here for the conference agenda. The trade show will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Aug. …
John Baxter Honored with FFAA Lifetime Achievement Award
The Florida Fertilizer & Agrichemical Association (FFAA) presented its highest honor, the Lifetime Achievement Award, to longtime industry leader John Baxter during the association’s Annual Meeting in July. The award was presented by FFAA Chairman Eric Johnson, recognizing Baxter’s enduring contributions to Florida agriculture and the agrichemical industry. A Florida native, Baxter’s agchem journey began in 1989 and reached new …