House Committee Chairman: Currently Working on Farm Bill 2.0

Clint ThompsonFlorida

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

Dan CooperEvents, Georgia

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

Clint ThompsonFlorida

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. …

Lifetime Achievement Award

John Baxter Honored with FFAA Lifetime Achievement Award

Dan CooperEvent, Fertilizer

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 …

honeymoon phase

Honeymoon Phase for Georgia Citrus Production

Dan CooperDisease, Georgia

Georgia citrus growers are still in the honeymoon phase of production with regards to disease, said Jonathan Oliver, University of Georgia (UGA) assistant professor and small fruits pathologist. While established groves in Florida have had to deal with disease buildup for decades, disease has yet to be problematic for South Georgia citrus production. But that could be changing. “With respect …

Chairman Thompson Discusses Labor Needs for Producers

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Clint Thompson Labor continues to be a trendy topic discussed among specialty crop producers. The H-2A program remains the only reliable workforce. Fruit and vegetable farmers need it to stay reliable heading into the future. Reforming the program must be a priority, according to Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson (PA-15), chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture. He talked about labor during …

UGA Extension Sustainability Specialist: EPA is Protecting Growers’ Access to Pesticides

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is working to ensure pesticides remain a viable source of protection for farmers and their crops. That’s the message Taylor Singleton, University of Georgia assistant professor and Extension sustainability specialist, is preaching to growers at county meetings and different crop events, which included last week at the Southern Peanut Growers Conference in …

learning process

Cold-Hardy Citrus Production: A Learning Process

Dan CooperCold Hardy

Production in the cold-hardy citrus region continues to be a learning process for growers. Producers in North Florida, South Georgia and South Alabama are learning this year the price of alternate bearing for their satsuma mandarin crop. After a heavy crop load last season, production is expected to taper off quite a bit this season across the cold-hardy citrus region. …

Chairman Thompson: Really Excited for Specialty Crops

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Clint Thompson The specialty crop sector benefited from the recently passed One Big Beautiful Bill. That was a point of emphasis from Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson (PA-15), chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture, during his talk last week at the Southern Peanut Growers Conference in Panama City Beach, Florida. The legislation provided a boost to crop research, which directly impacts …

Tomato Leader: Immediate, Long-Term Impacts From Suspension Agreement Termination

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Clint Thompson The termination of the U.S.-Mexico Tomato Suspension Agreement will have immediate and long-term impacts on the tomato industry. Robert Guenther, executive vice president of the Florida Tomato Exchange, described what he envisions the ramifications will be following last week’s historic decision. “I think as we move from summer into the fall, winter season, I think what you’re …