NASS Results: Average Farmer Age Continues to Increase Across Southeast

Clint ThompsonFlorida

The average age for farmers continues to increase, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service Census of Agriculture. The census is published every five years and shows the average age of farmers increased from 2017 to 2022. Mississippi and Florida had the highest average ages of producers at 59.6 and 59.5 years old respectively. Georgia, Kentucky …

Florida Blueberries ‘Dodged a Bullet’ with Hurricane Debby

Clint ThompsonBlueberries, Florida

By Clint Thompson Florida’s blueberry crop emerged unscathed following Hurricane Debby’s trek through the region on Aug. 5, according to Doug Phillips, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) blueberry Extension coordinator. “Things are looking good. I talked to guys in each of the three regions; north, central and south. Very few plants were blown over, a …

Drought Monitor: Dry Conditions Expanding, Worsening Across Southeast

Clint ThompsonAlabama, Drought, Florida, Georgia

Drought is expanding and worsening across the Southeast, especially in Florida, Georgia and Alabama, according to the most recent release of the U.S. Drought Monitor. All of Alabama is suffering from dry conditions, ranging from abnormally dry to severe drought conditions. The driest part of the state is located in the northwest part of the state. Severe conditions are located …

Spotty Showers, Heat Trending Across Southeast

Clint ThompsonWeather

By Clint Thompson The current dry weather with occasional spotty rainfall is trending across the Southeast. According to Pam Knox, University of Georgia Extension agricultural climatologist, it’s likely to continue through the week. “I’m looking at the rainfall forecasts for the next couple of weeks. It does look like there’s going to be some periods of rain across different parts …

What’s Next? Florida Blueberry Farmer Concerned About Future Tropical Systems Following Hurricane Debby

Clint ThompsonBlueberries, Florida

By Clint Thompson Hurricane Debby was bad enough for Florida’s specialty crop producers, especially with its excessive rains. One blueberry grower is concerned about what may follow, as some of his blueberry bushes remain under water. “The problem you get with these things is what happens next week? They’re showing more tropical activity. They’re saying over the next couple of …

Drought Conditions Linger Across Southeast

Clint ThompsonDrought

Drought-like conditions continue to persist across parts of the Southeast. But they have also decreased since a couple of weeks ago, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Florida’s dry conditions are mostly isolated to the northern region of the state. Abnormally dry conditions are observed in an area containing Dixie, Levy, Gilchrist, Columbia, Union, Alachua, Marion and Citrus counties. Polk …

Persistent Rains Expected Across Southeast

Clint ThompsonWeather

By Clint Thompson Rainfall has been more persistent in recent days across the Southeast. According to Pam Knox, University of Georgia Extension agricultural climatologist, that current trend should continue over the next few weeks in Georgia, Alabama and Florida. “It’s look like we’ve switched into a much wetter pattern. We were under this high pressure that lasted for most of …

USDA Expands Fresh Market Beans Insurance Program to Florida

Clint ThompsonUSDA

VALDOSTA, GA – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is expanding the fresh market beans insurance program to two southern Florida counties: Hendry and Palm Beach. USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) currently offers coverage in New York, North Carolina and Virginia. “Fresh market bean growers in Florida and stakeholders have asked for crop insurance,” said Davina Lee, director of RMA’s …

Most of Southeast Observing Drought-Like Conditions

Clint ThompsonDrought

Dry conditions continue to persist across the Southeast with certain areas intensifying in North Florida, Georgia and Alabama. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, abnormally dry conditions concentrate most of Northeast Florida. The drought starts as far west as Jackson, Calhoun, Liberty and Franklin counties and extends eastward to Duval, Saint Johns and Flagler counties and southward to Volusia, Marion …