Dry weather is expanding and worsening across the Southeast, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. The driest areas are located along the Southwest Alabama-Northwest Florida region. Extreme drought is observed in parts of Mobile, Escambia, Monrore and Conecuh counties in Alabama. Severe drought is seen in other parts of Mobile, Baldwin, Washington, Clarke, Escambia, Monrore and Conecuh counties. Abnormal drought …
Wait and See: Florida Tomato Industry Unsure How New Law Will Impact Labor Force
By Clint Thompson Florida’s controversial immigration law could affect the labor force available for the state’s specialty crop producers this year. That includes the tomato industry. Michael Schadler, manager of the Florida Tomato Committee and executive vice president of the Florida Tomato Exchange, spoke during Wednesday’s Tomato Conference in Labelle. He highlighted the law and how growers could be impacted. …
Wait and See: Florida Tomato Industry Unsure How New Law Will Impact Labor Force
By Clint Thompson Florida’s controversial immigration law could affect the labor force available for the state’s specialty crop producers this year. That includes the tomato industry. Michael Schadler, manager of the Florida Tomato Committee and executivevice president of the Florida Tomato Exchange, spoke during Wednesday’s Tomato Conference in Labelle. He highlighted the law and how growers could be impacted. “As …
UF/IFAS Encourages Florida Growers to Share Hurricane Impacts
Hurricane Idalia made landfall the morning of Aug. 30 near Keaton Beach, Florida, but the Category 3 storm’s northeastern route brought rain and high winds to coastal regions along the western peninsula and inland agricultural counties. The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Economic Impact Analysis Program (EIAP) uses surveys after natural disasters, seeking information on …
Survey Says: Florida Producers Encouraged to Share Hurricane Idalia Impacts
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Hurricane Idalia made landfall the morning of Aug. 30 near Keaton Beach, Florida, but the Category 3 storm’s northeastern route brought rain and high winds to coastal regions along the western peninsula and inland agricultural counties. The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Economic Impact Analysis Program (EIAP) uses surveys after natural disasters, …
What to Expect? Southeast Eyeing Hurricane Lee
By Clint Thompson On the heels of Hurricane Idalia, the Southeast is eyeing another monster storm, this time in the Atlantic Ocean. Hurricane Lee is churning towards the United States as a Category 5 storm. However, there is expected to be little, if any, impact on the Southeast, says Pam Knox, University of Georgia Extension Agricultural Climatologist. “If you look …
North Florida Farm Infrastructure Takes Hit from Idalia
By Clint Thompson North Florida agricultural leaders are still assessing damage left by Hurricane Idalia last week. Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) regional specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, provided an overview of what happened to the crops in the field and infrastructure on farms and in the different communities impacted by …
Hurricane Idalia Aftermath: North Florida Infrastructure Impacted Significantly
By Clint Thompson North Florida agricultural leaders are still assessing damage left by Hurricane Idalia last week. Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) regional specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, provided an overview of what happened to the crops in the field and infrastructure on farms and in the different communities impacted by …
Southeast Regional Scheduled for Jan. 11-14, 2024
By Clint Thompson It is never too early to start thinking about and planning for next year’s Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference, scheduled for Jan. 11-14, 2024, in Savannah, Georgia. The event attracts specialty crop growers and industry leaders from Florida, Georgia, Alabama and the Carolinas. Educational sessions focus on various fruit and vegetable commodities, including blueberries, peaches, watermelons …
Idalia Aftermath: Southeast Georgia Pecan Crop Heavily Impacted
By Clint Thompson Georgia’s pecan producers continue to assess what’s left of their crop in the aftermath of Hurricane Idalia last week. Those in Southeast Georgia were especially devastated by the storm that packed high winds and heavy rainfall. It led to a substantial amount of this year’s crop gone, says Lenny Wells, University of Georgia Extension pecan specialist. “I …