Freeze Event Dooms North Florida’s Remaining Fall Vegetable Crop

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Clint Thompson Back-to-back nights of sub-freezing temperatures this week ended North Florida’s fall vegetable season for all practical purposes. While some growers may scavenge their fields for any surviving fruit, most of the remaining crop was devastated by plummeting temperatures. “The temperature on Tuesday morning was probably in the range of 31 (degrees Fahrenheit), plus or minus. There was …

‘Unusual’ Lack of Tropical System Impact on Southeast Region

Clint ThompsonFlorida, Georgia, Weather

By Clint Thompson One month remains in this year’s tropical season. The Southeast is one month away from not having a tropical system impact the region this year. It would be an unusual development, says Pam Knox, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension agricultural climatologist. “Certainly, in most years we get some impact from tropical storms. It’s not unprecedented. We’ve had …

Drought Monitor Update: Extreme Conditions Spreading Across Southeast Region

Clint ThompsonAlabama, Florida, Georgia

Drought conditions are worsening and expanding across most of the Southeast region. According to the Oct. 23 release of the U.S. Drought Monitor, extreme drought is present in western Alabama, southern Georgia and northern Florida. While most of Alabama is experiencing some level of drought conditions, the driest part of the state is in the western part of the state. …

Registration Open for Southeast Regional

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson It is never too early for fruit and vegetable growers in the Southeast to start thinking about next year’s Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference. Registration is currently under way for the three-day event, scheduled for Jan. 8-10, 2026 at the Savannah Convention Center in Savannah, Georgia. Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA) Director of Membership …

Drought Monitor Update: Extreme Dry Conditions Spreading Across Southeast

Clint ThompsonAlabama

By Clint Thompson Another week, another period of prolonged dry weather across the Southeast. According to the Oct. 16 release of the U.S. Drought Monitor, extreme drought is being observed in West Alabama, Southwest Georgia and North Florida. Extreme drought in Alabama is seen in all or parts of Marengo, Wilcox, Dallas, Perry, Hale, Greene, Sumter, Pickens, Tuscaloosa and Bibb …

Drought Monitor Update: Dry Conditions Worsening Across Southeast Region

Clint ThompsonAlabama

By Clint Thompson The most recent release of the U.S. Drought Monitor reflects worsening drought conditions across Alabama, Georgia and Florida. The driest conditions in Alabama are in the western part of the state. Extreme conditions are seen in Marengo, Dallas, Perry, Hale, Greene, Pickens, Tuscaloosa and Bibb counties. Severe conditions are seen in other areas of those counties as …

Florida Farmer of Year Honored to Represent State at Sunbelt Expo

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Clint Thompson Florida Farmer of the Year Jim Alderman was humbled and thrilled to represent Florida at this year’s Sunbelt Ag Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year luncheon on Tuesday in Moultrie, Georgia. While Alderman did not win the award – it was presented to Georgia farmer Kent Hamilton – he expressed gratitude for being able to represent Florida …

Winner, Winner: Georgia Farmer Named Southeastern Farmer of the Year

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson South Georgia vegetable farmer Kent Hamilton was named the Sunbelt Ag Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year at the annual luncheon on Tuesday, the first day of the three-day Expo event in Moultrie, Georgia. Hamilton, chief executive officer of Southern Valley Fruit and Vegetable, Inc. in Norman Park, highlighted the attributes that have helped him succeed over …

Florida Strawberry Planting Season Under Way

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Clint Thompson Strawberry planting season is under way across South Florida. Matt Parke, farm manager of Parkesdale Farms in Plant City, Florida, started planting his crop last Thursday. He outlined his list of concerns heading into this production season. “Making sure we’ve got the right (plant) stock, no diseases, make sure those H-words (hurricanes) stay away from us until …

Florida Mango Interest Continues to Grow

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Clint Thompson Florida’s mango industry has rebounded following a drastic production decrease following Hurricane Andrew in 1992. According to Jonathan Crane, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) professor and tropical fruit crop specialist, the industry hit its lowest point at about 1,000 acres but has more than tripled since. Fresh Florida-grown mangoes are producing high …