By Clint Thompson Southeast specialty crop producers and industry leaders that have not registered for the Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference are reminded that the deadline for regular registration ends Jan. 9. The annual event, scheduled for Jan. 11-14, 2024, in Savannah, Georgia, attracts growers and industry experts from Florida, Georgia, Alabama and the Carolinas. Educational sessions focus on …
Paper Mulch Provides Incredible Potential for Southeast Watermelon Farmers
By Clint Thompson Paper mulch is a management option that watermelon producers could be using in the near future. While plastic mulch has long been utilized in vegetable production, paper mulch provides growers a more efficient and effective product to use during the season. Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent …
Yay for Rain: Drought Conditions Improving Across Southeast
Much-needed rainfall continues to help alleviate a lot of the drought conditions present in Alabama, Florida and Georgia. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, Southeast Alabama is drought-free, as well as most of central and southern Georgia and nearly all of Florida. Alabama’s worst drought conditions are mostly concentrated to the central and northern areas of the state. Extreme drought …
UF/IFAS Research: Is Calabaza the Next Great Gourd for Southeast Growers?
If you have eaten at various Caribbean, Central or South American restaurants, you might be familiar with a specialty pumpkin called the calabaza. It is the center of the plate for a team of University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) researchers hoping the gourd is ripe for a new industry in the Southeast. With two years …
Adverse Weather Conditions Challenging Florida Strawberry Producers
By Clint Thompson Wet weather in recent weeks has challenged strawberry production in South Florida. One grower is forced to throw away a substantial amount of one variety because of rain damage. “We’re picking (Monday). We’re definitely a little bit wetter,” said Dustin Grooms with Fancy Farms in Plant City, Florida. “We took a lot of rain damage. Going around …
Drought Monitor: Dry Conditions Reduced Across Southeast
Drought conditions are lessening across the Southeast, due to recent rain events. In the most recent U.S. Drought Monitor, extreme drought has been reduced across areas of North Alabama and North Georgia. Most of South Georgia is drought free, while only a couple of counties in the Florida Panhandle are abnormally dry. Alabama remains the driest among the three states. …
Florida Watermelon Association Highlights Research Initiatives
By Clint Thompson Research is at the heart of crop sustainability in Florida’s watermelon industry. If producers are to continue thrive with production, they require research assistance with focuses on pest and disease management. The Florida Watermelon Association (FWA) highlighted some of those key points during the Suwanee Valley Watermelon Institute meeting on Nov. 30 in Fanning Springs, Florida. Laura …
California’s H-2A Ranking a Plus for Southeast?
By Clint Thompson California’s surge up the states leaderboard pertaining to H-2A workers is a plus for Southeast specialty crop producers, according to one industry leader. Chris Butts, executive vice president of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA), believes it will help enlighten legislative leaders about the challenges associated with navigating through a complicated and expensive program. “I …
Drought Monitor: Rain Alleviates Some Dry Conditions Across Southeast Region
Increased rainfall last week has alleviated some of the drought conditions being experienced throughout the Southeast. Extreme conditions are beginning to dwindle across North Alabama and Northwest Georgia, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. There are still areas across both regions that are in extreme drought, including in Pickens and Greene counties in west Alabama, stretching northeast to Jackson, Dekalb …
Cucurbit Downy Mildew on Rise in Florida
Cucurbit downy mildew is on the rise in parts of Florida, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. Gary Vallad, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Gulf Coast Research and Education Center plant pathologist, and Lisa Hickey, UF/IFAS Extension agent, are reporting increased infestations in cucumber and squash fields in central Florida. They have gone …



















