By Ernie Neff Jeff Sharkey, executive director of the Florida Hemp Association, moderated a panel discussion on federal and state hemp policy at the recent Florida Industrial Hemp Conference and Exhibition in Orlando. “Getting the (hemp) application and licensing is reasonably straightforward,” Sharkey says. “The Department of Ag (Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services) wants people to be successful.” …
Better Cucumber and Watermelon Varieties Coming Soon
By Karla Arboleda Researchers at North Carolina State University (NC State) are working to release new cucumber and watermelon varieties. Due to persistent issues affecting cucurbits, experts at NC State are aiming to improve cucumber and watermelon varieties. Todd Wehner, a horticultural science professor at NC State, is working to provide cucurbits that are resistant to downy mildew and gummy …
New Method to Combat Brazilian Peppertree Problem
By Karla Arboleda Researchers at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) are now approved to release a specific type of thrips to help control the Brazilian peppertree problem. INVASIVE SPECIES Brazilian peppertrees are an invasive shrub that cover about 700,000 acres of Florida. Carey Minteer, an assistant professor at UF/IFAS, worked on a portion of …
Florida Water-Quality Plans Include Focus on Septic Systems
By Andrea Albertin and Mary Lusk As the state of Florida moves forward with watershed and springs basin restoration plans, also known as basin management action plans (BMAPS), reducing nitrogen loads to degraded water bodies is a priority in many areas. Nitrogen is an essential plant nutrient, but in excess in certain aquatic ecosystems it can lead to water-quality deterioration …
2019 Florida Blueberry Season Sees Success
By Karla Arboleda Florida blueberry growers had a successful year in terms of numbers for 2019. According to data from the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) and the Florida Blueberry Growers Association (FBGA), blueberry-growing operations have increased in acreage. Doug Phillips, blueberry Extension coordinator for UF/IFAS, said he surveyed growers to learn more about how …
Upbeat Hemp Update
Holly Bell, director of cannabis for the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, provides an optimistic update on the future of hemp in Florida. Bell spoke at the first Florida Industrial Hemp Conference and Exhibition held Nov. 3–5 in Orlando. Following her presentation, she talked with Southeast AgNet’s Tacy Callies. According to Bell, growing hemp in Florida became legal on …
Minimizing Specialty Crop Impacts From Flooding
By Kristin Woods, Achyut Adhikari, Alex Castillo, Travis Chapin, Michelle Danyluk, Audrey Gamble and T. Matthew Taylor Growers around the southern region are gearing up for a rainy fall. Preparing for and/or reacting to flooding is unfortunately part of the season. Knowing the food safety risks and regulations and having a proactive plan in place ahead of time can help …
Governor Ron DeSantis Appoints Two to the SFWMD Governing Board
(FLGOV) — Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointments of Jack Bispham and Seth Weightman to the Southwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board. Jack Bispham Bispham, of Myakka City, is the owner and operator of Red Bluff Plantation. Previously, he was the owner of Bayside Sod from 1988 until 2018. He has served as a Soil and Water Conservation Service …
Florida Tomato Committee Names McAvoy Researcher of the Year
(UF/IFAS) — He may hold the title “emeritus,” which means “retired,” but Gene McAvoy remains active with University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension and research, helping bring farmers’ concerns back to UF/IFAS scientists. In fact, he just won the Researcher of the Year Award from the Florida Tomato Committee. For the past 22 years, McAvoy …
Research to Reduce Pepper Diseases; Boost Production
(UF/IFAS) — Pepper is popular. Consumers eat all kinds, including jalapenos, habaneros, chilis and more. Because people eat so much of the fruit, peppers are worth hundreds of millions of dollars a year to the Florida and national economies. In fact, in 2018, bell and chili peppers alone were a $181 million-a-year industry in Florida and a $628 million-a-year industry …