Written By Chris Gunter, N.C. State Extension Vegetable Production Specialist Weather predictions for this weekend include clear skies with minimal or calm winds, which are conducive to cold temperatures and could lead to freeze or frost conditions in North Carolina. On Sunday morning, May 10, low temperatures are predicted to drop into the 30s with some temperatures possibly below freezing …
Preliminary Reports in COVID-19 Impact Survey Show Effects Vary by Industry
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — As University of Florida economists cross the halfway point in their surveys of Florida’s agriculture and marine industries related to the impacts of COVID-19, initial reports indicate that impacts vary widely across industry types in terms of business closure rates, operations changes, and impacts to sales revenues and employment. In one of the five surveys of the …
USDA Announces Additional Food Purchase Plans
(Washington, D.C., May 4, 2020) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced today details of $470 million in Section 32 food purchases to occur in the third quarter of fiscal year 2020, in addition to purchases previously announced, which will enable USDA to purchase surplus food for distribution to communities nationwide. These Section 32 purchases will provide additional support …
Still Time to Get Boxed Produce
By Clint Thompson There’s still time for fruit and vegetable lovers in South Georgia to order their boxed produce from Lewis Taylor Farms. There are still boxes available for purchase, according to the Lewis Taylor Farms Facebook page, The boxes are $20 each and include sweet potatoes, cucumbers, bell pepper, onion, cantaloupe, green beans and collards. Boxes can be picked …
Boxed Produce Leads to Sweet Results
By Clint Thompson Thinking inside the box helped Brill Brim sell fruit and vegetables while providing an outlet for consumers to buy local produce. Brim, a Tifton, Georgia farmer, was overwhelmed with the positive response his produce boxes generated in the South Georgia area this week. The co-owner of Lewis Taylor Farms said they sold between 1,300 and 1,400 produce …
Cabbage, Broccoli and Other Cole Crop Diseases
Clemson Cooperative Extension released some diseases that cole crop growers need to be on the look out for this spring. Cole crops, such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage and cauliflower, are easily grown in South Carolina. Tips for growing healthy cole crops in the garden are available in HGIC 1301, Broccoli, HGIC 1326, Cauliflower and HGIC 1303, Cabbage & Chinese …
Fusarium Wilt: A Quick Review
By Nicholas S. Dufault It has been more than 120 years since an unknown watermelon wilt disease was observed to cause heavy losses in the southern United States. The re-emergence of this disease, identified as fusarium wilt (FW) caused by the fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum (Fon), has led to a need for alternative control practices. MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES Numerous …
N.C. Strawberry Association President: Overall, the Crop Looks Good
By Clint Thompson The president of the North Carolina Strawberry Association is excited about this year’s crop. Jim Warenda, who is also the sales representative for Fresh Pick Produce in Kenly, North Carolina, exuded optimism when discussing the prospects of this year’s crop. “Everything’s great. We are a hair behind, just due to, it’s been a little bit cooler spring …
Farm Recovery Block Grant Deadline for Georgia Farmers is April 30
By Clint Thompson The Farm Recovery Block Grant deadline for Georgia farmers who were dealt financial losses by Hurricane Michael is Thursday, April 30. The Georgia Department of Agriculture is accepting online applications. The block grant funds include $347 million. This block grant program is designed to compensate producers for losses and expenses in seven categories of assistance, according to …
Sneak Peek: May 2020 VSCNews Magazine
By Ashley Robinson The May issue of VSCNews Magazine targets the best pest management practices for growers. Researchers from the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) are already looking ahead and making plans to see what more can be learned about growing hemp in Florida, as they reach the midpoint of their pilot project. Lourdes Rodriguez, …