The Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association (FFVA) supports the bill introduced in the Senate on Thursday, titled the Affordable and Secure Food Act of 2022 (ASFA). The bill is similar to the Farm Workforce Modernization Act that was passed in the House in 2021. It would create a path to legal status for undocumented farmworkers and freeze the Adverse Effect …
‘LIFT AI’ Projects Show UF/IFAS’ Commitment to Using Artificial Intelligence
Faster plant breeding is one of the 11 projects collectively awarded $261,723 by the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Dean for Research Office to solve practical problems via artificial intelligence (AI). To foster research collaborations in AI for agricultural systems, natural resources and human systems, the office created a program called “Launching Innovative Faculty Teams …
HLB Resistance Is Citrus Breeding Program’s Primary Focus
Citrus breeding is conducted at different research facilities across Florida. But the objective remains the same for University of the Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) breeders: Develop HLB-resistant citrus. That is the goal for Jose Chaparro, UF/IFAS associate professor in Gainesville. His research will impact citrus produced in the North Florida and South Georgia regions. “If you look at …
Mexico Minimum Wage to Increase in 2023
One of the main points of contention regarding unfair trade with Mexico for Southeast specialty crop producers is the microscopic minimum wage Mexican employers pay their employees. That compensation will increase, according to Mexican president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (AMLO). He has announced a plan to raise the minimum wage by 20% in 2023, according to Mexico News Daily. The …
Fumigation: Pros and Cons Discussed at Annual Watermelon Meeting
By Clint Thompson Despite stringent regulatory requirements and high costs, fumigation remains a vital tool in a specialty crop producers’ toolbox when managing certain pests. “The reality is there’s just some pests and some crops where that is our most reliable tactic,” said Josh Freeman, an agronomist and regional manager with TriEst Ag Group. “Consider peppers for example. You have …
The Risk of Warmer Winters to Fruit Production
By Pam Knox Georgia is known as “The Peach State,” but the production of blueberries is a much bigger contributor to the state’s economy than peaches. However, both types of fruit have one thing in common. They are being affected by the trend toward warmer temperatures that are being seen across the world due to increases in greenhouse gases in …
Strawberry Research Essential to N.C. Production
By Clint Thompson The future of strawberry production in North Carolina lies in Gina Fernandez’s research lab at North Carolina (N.C.) State University. The strawberry breeder is responsible for developing the newest strawberry variety adaptable to the state’s environment. “California has beautiful climate, nice day length and temperatures, cool temperatures that strawberries like to grow in. Florida has a breeding …
Thinking Outside the Box: Citrus Growers Need to Diversify to Remain Sustainable
If cold-hardy citrus growers diversified their crops and not put all of their eggs in the satsuma basket, it would provide them a better chance at long-term sustainability. It would allow producers an opportunity to combat the negative national stigma concerning citrus juices, says Jude Grosser, a professor of plant cell genetics at the University of Florida Institute of Food …
Satsuma Overload: Citrus Growers Need to Diversify
By Clint Thompson Citrus harvest season is in full swing across the North Florida/South Georgia production region. One thing is certain this season: Growers need to diversify their farming operations with citrus varieties other than satsuma mandarins. Grower Kim Jones, who also owns a citrus packing facility in Monticello, Florida, and is part-owner of a similar facility in Tifton, Georgia, …
Cost of Thanksgiving Meal is Up Significantly
Spending time with family and friends at Thanksgiving remains important for many Americans, and this year the cost of the meal is also top of mind. American Farm Bureau Federation’s (AFBF) 37th annual survey provides a snapshot of the average cost of this year’s classic Thanksgiving feast for 10, which is $64.05 or less than $6.50 per person. This is …