The 2024 Florida Tomato Institute drew a large crowd of growers and other industry stakeholders to Clewiston, Florida, in early September. The event showcases the latest in tomato research, new product offerings from industry and featured presentations on worker safety and plant improvement. WORKER PROTECTION The federal government has proposed new worker protection rules, and ordinances are being proposed at …
Trade and Nutrition Highlighted at Florida Tomato Institute
The 2024 Florida Tomato Institute drew a large crowd of growers and other industry stakeholders to Clewiston, Florida, in early September. The event showcases the latest in tomato research, new product offerings from industry and a food-safety workshop. TOMATO TRADE DEFICIT Zhengfei Guan, an economist with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), spoke about the …
Florida Blueberry Producers Bracing for Peak Tropical Season
By Clint Thompson An active tropical season this fall is concerning for Florida’s blueberry growers. According to Doug Phillips, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) blueberry Extension coordinator, this time of year is when blueberry bushes are most vulnerable. Unfortunately, this is also the time of year when Florida experiences a bulk of hurricane activity. “In …
UGA Extension Strawberry Blog: Management Options for Neopestalotiopsis
Neopestalotiopsis fruit rot and leaf spot disease is already expected to impact next year’s strawberry crop. The question is how can growers minimize the potential damage the disease will likely have on plants ahead of next growing season? Phil Brannen, University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension fruit disease specialist, outlined how producers can navigate next season’s expected increase of Neopestalotiopsis. …
NASS Results: Average Farmer Age Continues to Increase Across Southeast
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
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 …
Disease-Resistant Wine Grapes Could Be Boon for Florida’s Viticulture
Researchers at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) are harvesting their first crop of potentially disease-resistant wine grapes in Florida. The first crop at UF/IFAS’s Plant Science Research and Education Unit in Citra, Florida, of Pierce’s disease-resistant grapes showed no signs of disease. The grape variety was developed by the University of California Davis, and …
Registration Ongoing for Tomato Conference
Registration is ongoing for the 2024 Florida Tomato Conference, slated for Thursday, Sept. 5, at the John Boy Auditorium in Clewiston, Florida. The conference is presented by the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) and the Florida Tomato Committee. The cost is free for employees of Florida tomato farmers, packers, sponsors, presenters and university affiliates. Late …
Attention Strawberry Growers: ‘Alarm Bells’ for Neopestalotiopsis Disease
By Clint Thompson A disease that first impacted Florida strawberry fields in the 2018-2019 season is already causing trouble for next year’s crop. Phil Brannen, University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension fruit disease specialist, is cautioning growers about the high potential risk for Neopestalotiopsis with plants originating from Prince Edward Island. “As many strawberry producers are aware, some nurseries are …
Pricing Produce Directly to Consumers: Farmers Urged to Know Costs
Instead of taking what the broker or retailer feels like paying, small- and medium-sized farmers who sell directly to consumers should track costs, determine what they want to earn and set their own produce prices, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) experts say. Growers should base their prices on their costs, said Kim Morgan, a UF/IFAS …


















