By Ernie Neff A Dec. 16 discussion of local agricultural issues with a focus on best management practices (BMPs) attracted more than 50 attendees to Immokalee. The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Southwest Florida Research and Education Center hosted the event. Professor and center director Kelly Morgan summarizes the discussions, which he says included “some …
Scientists Developing Recipe for Growing Vanilla in South Florida
(UF/IFAS) — A tablespoon of vanilla goes a long way. As a key spice in baking, the intoxicating aromatic bean that reminds folks of delicious holiday desserts has a variety of uses throughout the year. As a bean, it is used to flavor foods and products from cakes to candles. As an extract, it is a basic ingredient in flavoring …
Production Practices for Higher Quality Cabbage
By Karla Arboleda Researchers at the University of Florida (UF) Hastings Agricultural Extension Center are studying ways to grow the best quality cabbage. Although research on higher quality cabbage is relatively new at the center, experts are working to establish facts. Lincoln Zotarelli, an associate professor in the UF Horticultural Sciences Department, discussed updates on cabbage research at the recent …
Finger Limes for the Specialty Produce Market
By Manjul Dutt, Edward “Gilly” Evans, Jude Grosser and Aditya Singh Finger limes are 2- to 4-inch, finger-shaped, cylindrical fruits belonging to the citrus family. They taste like limes but are generally less sour. Finger limes are native to the Australian rainforests. The trees are found growing wild in the coastal regions of western Australia and have been used for …
Cole Crop Field Day Looks at New Crops on the Horizon
Researchers from the University of Florida Hastings Agricultural Extension Center (UF HAEC) gave growers updates on cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and more at the annual Cole Crop Field Day held at the center’s research farm. Cole crops continue to be a cornerstone crop of the Tri-County Agricultural Area. Gary England, director of the UF HAEC, summarized a few of the …
Florida’s Arguments Rejected in ‘Water War’
(NSF) — For years, Florida has blamed Georgia’s water use for causing damage to the economically vital oyster industry in Apalachicola Bay. But a special master appointed by the U.S. Supreme Court disagreed this week, dealing a major blow to Florida in its legal fight to force Georgia to share more water in a river system that links the two …
USDA Funds Multistate Efforts to Battle Pepper Diseases
By Karla Arboleda The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture funded a team of faculty from institutions across the country to study emerging pepper diseases. The University of Florida leads the project titled “Management of Endemic and Emerging Bacterial Diseases of Capsicum by Plant Resistance.” USDA also provided funding to North Carolina State University (NC …
Kevin Folta Receives 2019 American Agri-Women’s Veritas Award
(UF/IFAS) — Kevin Folta, a University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences horticulture professor with a distinguished career in strawberry genetics, was honored with the Veritas award by American Agri-Women (AAW) at their recent convention in Tigard, Oregon. The Veritas award is the highest award given by AAW to a non-member. It is presented annually to a person who …
Watermelon Institute Meeting Focuses on Disease Management
By Karla Arboleda Faculty and staff at University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) focused on disease management at the 2019 Suwannee Valley Watermelon Institute meeting on Dec. 3. Among the attendees were growers, trade show exhibitors and UF/IFAS employees. The event included a disease management workshop and updates on the watermelon industry. WATERMELON DISEASES Nicholas Dufault, …
USDA Invests in Rural Broadband Infrastructure for Alabama Families
(USDA/RD) — U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Donald “DJ” LaVoy announced USDA has invested $62.3 million in high-speed broadband infrastructure that will create or improve e-Connectivity for more than 8,000 rural households, 57 farms, 44 businesses, 17 educational facilities, 14 critical community facilities and three health care facilities in rural Alabama. This is one …