Edward “Gilly” Evans, a longtime agricultural economist at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), has been named director of the UF/IFAS Tropical Research and Education Center in Homestead. Evans, who served as interim director for almost two years, has overseen the hiring of five new faculty members. The new hires bring expertise in everything from …
White House Backs Everglades Reservoir
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 …
Citrus Expo Welcomes Vegetable and Specialty Crop Growers!
This year, AgNet Media is excited to invite vegetable and specialty crop growers to Citrus Expo, which is set to take place August 15–16 at the Lee Civic Center in North Fort Myers, Florida. AgNet Media Founder and President Gary Cooper believes this industry will feel right at home at one of the largest grower events in Florida. Since Citrus …
UF/IFAS Hopes to Grow Vanilla, Meet Consumer Demand
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 …
Suwanee Valley Watermelon Institute Panel Highlights Grafting’s Importance During Fusarium Wilt Discussion
By Clint Thompson Fusarium wilt remains a challenge for watermelon producers in North Florida and South Georgia. Grafting is a way for growers to navigate its challenge, says Josh Freeman, regional sales manager with TriEst Ag Group. “If you take markets aside, markets come and go, but fusarium, that’s not going to change. In my opinion, varietal resistance is not …
Second Freeze This Season Hits Cold-Hardy Citrus Region
The second major freeze event of the season occurred this week in the cold-hardy citrus region. It is still too early to gauge the long-term impact of temperatures dropping to the mid-20s in the early morning hours on Monday and Tuesday. However, if growers did not implement freeze-protection measures, this event could be more serious than the first freeze that …
Dry Conditions Prompt Pecan Producers to Consider Irrigation Applications
By Clint Thompson A prolonged dry spell across the Southeast during the fall has prompted pecan producers to consider applying irrigation to their trees at a time when it is usually not required. Lenny Wells, University of Georgia Extension pecan specialist, explains the reasoning. “I’ve had a lot of growers call over the last couple of weeks. Normally this time …


















