RALEIGH – The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services announced the recipients of more than $1.25 million in funding from the USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. The funding will be used for projects that enhance the quality of specialty crops grown in North Carolina. “North Carolina is one of the most agriculturally diverse states in the nation, and …
Weather Could be Decisive Factor in South Georgia Farmer’s Fall Vegetable Crop
Weather has wreaked havoc on one South Georgia farmer’s fall vegetable production. Sam Watson, managing partner of Chill C Farms in Colquitt County, Georgia, said his crop has not progressed as far along as it should have by this point in the growing season. He’s concerned a potential frost could derail his plans for a productive fall season. “We’re Oct. …
Florida Hops Show Potential
By Shinsuke Agehara Craft beer brewed with Florida hops sounds very attractive. But can hops be grown in Florida? Will the crop produce high yields? The most important question is: Will it be profitable? There are lots of rumors, myths and hype about growing hops in the Sunshine State. That’s probably because hops have never been grown commercially in Florida …
What’s up With Growing Lemons in Florida?
Adventurous producers are still seeking ways to squeeze profit out of this appealing citrus fruit.
UGA researcher to study potential use of essential oils in organic blueberry production
By Josh Paine for UGA CAES News Organic fruit and vegetable growers want to meet the recent uptick in national consumer demand, but they need additional tools to battle pests and diseases that often accompany organic crop growth. One such tool may be the use of essential oils. That’s why the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and …
Establishing an Olive Industry in Florida
By Michael O’Hara Garcia With weather and soils similar to the Mediterranean Basin, olives grow in Florida and throughout much of the southeastern United States. Currently, Florida has approximately 800 acres of olives under active cultivation by 60 to 80 individual farmers in 20 counties. The groves range from backyard hobby plots with several trees to high-density commercial operations of …
Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association Names New Board Chair, Vice Chair
MAITLAND, Fla. (Oct. 2, 2020) – The Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association has named Aaron Troyer, president of Troyer Brothers in Fort Myers, as its chair for 2020-22. David Hill, president of Southern Hill Farms in Clermont, was named vice chair. In addition, FFVA members voted to appoint three new directors to the board: Jon Esformes of Pacific Tomato Growers, Chris …
COVID-19 risk factors vary by farm workers’ legal status; shows need for tailored measures
University of Florida/IFAS As laborers return to the fields this fall in Florida, both unauthorized workers and those authorized to plant and pick crops through a guest worker visa are vulnerable to the coronavirus. In fact, an estimated 75% of Florida crop workers have at least one underlying health issue that puts them at risk of developing COVID-19 complications, new …
Farm Bureau Economist Encourages Producers to Apply Early for CFAP 2
Applications continue to be accepted from fruit and vegetable crop producers looking to participate in the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2. Veronica Nigh, economist with American Farm Bureau, encourages producers in Georgia, Florida and Alabama to get signed up sooner rather than later. “Anytime there’s a limited amount of funds, a lot of folks would be interested in it. You …
Sneak Peek: October 2020 VSCNews Magazine
By Ashley Robinson The October issue of VSCNews magazine covers a variety of topics, including establishing an olive industry in Florida, the potential for hops and a strawberry spotlight. Currently, Florida has approximately 800 acres of olives under production. Although olives grow well in Florida’s warm climate, little formal research on Florida olive cultivation is available to support industry development. …