Climate Change: Increased Tropical Fruit Production in Central Florida

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Clint Thompson Count the tropical fruit industry as an agricultural sector impacted by climate change. Certain areas in Florida are now home to tropical fruit production. It wasn’t that long ago that the thought of farmers in central Florida producing mangoes and other tropical fruits seemed unthinkable. Jonathan Crane, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) …

Blueberry Management Options for August

Clint ThompsonFlorida

The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences has provided guidance for Florida blueberry growers to consider during August. Disease Management Disease management remains important. Growers should be scouting for algal stem blotch as well as other leaf diseases. For producers managing bacterial wilt, they should monitor through irrigation or banded bed applications of a phosphorous acid product. …

Registration Ongoing for Florida Tomato Conference

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Clint Thompson Registration remains open for the Florida Tomato Conference, scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 4 at the John Boy Auditorium in Clewiston, Florida. The event is free for all employees of Florida tomato growers, packers, sponsors, presenters and university affiliates. Other attendees are charged $50. Participants must select the sessions they plan to attend. Early registration will close on …

Florida Blackberry Producer: Volume Was Half of Last Year

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Clint Thompson The blackberry season did not transpire the way one Florida producer had hoped. Matt Parke, farm manager of Parkesdale Farms in Plant City, Florida, will give it one more season or change his approach to producing the fruit in the future. “Volume was off; probably half the volume of last year. I did get them to go …

Scientists to Share Latest Hemp Production Research During Aug. 13 Field Day

Clint ThompsonFlorida

The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) will host a hemp field day on Wednesday, Aug. 13, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the UF/IFAS Plant Science Research and Education Unit in Citra, Florida. The UF/IFAS Plant Science Research and Education Unit is located at 2556 County Highway 318, Citra, Florida. UF/IFAS researchers, Extension agents …

Sneak Peek: August 2025 Specialty Crop Grower Magazine

Clint ThompsonSneak peek

The August issue of Specialty Crop Grower Magazine highlights the announcement that block grants will deliver disaster aid to Florida farmers. Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins visited Florida in July to make the announcement regarding disaster relief which will help growers recover from hurricanes that have impacted the state in recent years. Farm labor remains a trendy topic throughout the specialty …

Wedgworth

Wedgworth Leadership Institute Graduates Its 12th Class

Dan CooperEducation, Florida

Twenty-nine Florida agribusiness leaders graduated from Class XII of the esteemed Wedgworth Leadership Institute for Agriculture and Natural Resources. The Institute is run by the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) and has been developing leaders in Florida since 1991. This milestone marks the successful completion of a rigorous two-year leadership development program designed to prepare …

‘Good Information’ During Summer Blueberry Meetings in Florida

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Clint Thompson Florida’s summer blueberry meetings have come and gone. It was an important series of meetings for growers in the blueberry region, according to Doug Phillips, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) blueberry Extension coordinator. “Polk County and Alachua County were very well attended. We had a really good turnout for both,” Phillips said. …

UF Research Unlocks Nutritional Value, Shelf-Life Potential of Passion Fruit

Clint ThompsonFlorida

With passion fruit, you get more than just a tasty drink or snack. It is packed with nutrients like vitamin C, fiber and antioxidants, making it a popular choice for healthier eating. It’s also important to farmers in tropical and subtropical regions – including central, Southeast and Southwest Florida – where it supports local economies. Understanding how varieties of passion fruit …

Too Much Supply: North Florida Watermelon Acres Not Expected to Increase Again

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Clint Thompson Watermelon production in North Florida approached 10,000 acres in 2025. One University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) scientist believes there will not be another increase next year following a glut in supply that led to decreased prices. Bob Hochmuth, UF/IFAS Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, discussed the state of the …