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 …

Drought Monitor Update: Moderate Conditions Observed in Southeast Region

Clint ThompsonDrought

Intense heat and lack of rainfall have contributed to moderate dry conditions expanding across the Southeast, including in Florida, Georgia and Alabama, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Northeast Florida is mostly moderately dry. The dry area starts as far west as Jefferson and Madison counties and expands eastward to Duval, Saint Johns and Flagler counties and southward to Marion …

Drought Monitor Update: Dry Conditions Worsening Across Southeast

Clint ThompsonWeather

Drought is worsening across the Southeast, with most of Alabama, Florida and Georgia experiencing either abnormally dry or moderately dry conditions, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Florida’s worst conditions are located in the northeastern part of the state. They start as far south as Citrus and Marion counties and stretch northward to Nassau, Baker, Columbia, Hamilton, Madison and Jefferson …

Drought Monitor Update: Increased Dry Areas Being Observed in Southeast

Clint ThompsonDrought

By Clint Thompson Increased drought conditions are starting to flare up in North Georgia, while central and southern Florida remains dry, according to last week’s release of the U.S. Drought Monitor. Abnormally dry areas are being observed in the northwest part of Georgia. They start along the Georgia-Alabama state line in Troup, Heard, Carroll and Haralson counties; stretch eastward to …