White House Backs Everglades Reservoir

Web AdminIndustry News Release, Top Posts, Water

The White House on Tuesday backed Florida’s effort to secure federal funding for a reservoir intended to move water away from Lake Okeechobee and reduce discharges that residents blame for repeated toxic algae outbreaks spreading on both coasts. The request by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to include funding for the roughly $1.6 billion Everglades Agricultural Area Reservoir, approved …

UF/IFAS Hopes to Grow Vanilla, Meet Consumer Demand

Web AdminIndustry News Release, Research, Top Posts

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

Web AdminCorn, Industry News Release, Top Posts

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

Web AdminSugar, Top Posts, Vegetables

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

Web AdminProduce, Research, Tomatoes, Top Posts

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 …

How Long Can We Wait? Timeliness Essential When Consuming Leftovers

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Clint Thompson Thanksgiving Day feasts across the Southeast this week means people are consuming plenty of delicious foods like turkey, ham, fruits and vegetables. While food safety is essential Thanksgiving Day, it is also important for those leftovers and how long people can wait before consuming them. Keith Schneider, a food safety professor in the University of Florida Institute …

Georgia growers

Georgia Growers Tour Brazil’s Citrus Industry

Dan CooperBrazil, Georgia

A recent tour of Brazilian citrus provided Georgia growers with valuable information on how to capitalize on production amid huanglongbing (HLB) disease. Lindy Savelle, executive director of the Georgia Citrus Association and owner of JoNina Farm, was one of seven producers who attended the week-long tour this fall. One of the main observations was Brazil’s strong production despite the prevalence …

La Niña Looms: Dry Conditions Could Worsen

Clint ThompsonAlabama, Florida, Georgia

By Clint Thompson A looming La Niña weather pattern means the current dry conditions across the Southeast are likely to worsen over the next couple of months, according to, Pam Knox, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension agricultural climatologist. “We’re going into a La Niña winter, and typically a La Niña winter means we are more likely to have a warmer …

Upon Further Review: Freeze Protection Methods Work Well for Cold-Hardy Citrus Producers

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson Upon further review, citrus trees in the cold-hardy citrus region of South Georgia, North Florida and South Alabama appeared to have fared well following the Nov. 10-11 freeze event. Mary Sutton, University of Georgia (UGA) assistant professor and citrus Extension specialist, needed a few extra days to look over some of the trees in her area following …