By Abbey Taylor and Breanna Kendrick The University of Florida’s (UF) Gulf Coast Research and Education Center (GCREC) has become well known throughout the state, partly due to its work with hops. Jack Rechcigl, GCREC director, says the research began about three years ago. “We started working on hops as an alternative crop for our growers. It actually started when …
Cole Crop Field Day Includes Some New Options
Every year the University of Florida (UF) Hastings Agricultural Extension Center holds its cole crop field day due to the high number of cabbage acreage in the tri-county area, which includes Putnam, St. Johns and Flagler counties. However, growers in the tri-county area have been expressing an interest in various alternative crops. So, Gary England, director of the center, made …
UPDATED: E. coli Source Released
Update on E. coli outbreak (Dec. 14): According to a release from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the E. coli outbreak has been traced back to a single farm’s irrigation reservoir. The farm is located in Santa Barbara County, California. According to the FDA release, the farm has not shipped lettuce since Nov. 20 and is being cooperative with …
Specialty Crops of the Andes May Have Potential for the Southeast
By Kevin M. Folta The Andes Mountains are home to great botanical diversity and are the origin of many vegetable species consumed in North America. Worldwide mainstays such as peppers, cassava, potato and tomato all have evolutionary connections to this area, from which over 200 plant species have been domesticated. The vast diversity arises from variation in geographical features, as …
Storm Preparation and Recovery for Avocado Trees
By Breanna Kendrick Prior to a storm, it is recommended that avocado growers have a tree-size management program in place. The purpose is to ensure trees are not getting too tall or too wide. Trees that have been maintained at the proper size are easier to pick, easier to spray and are much more efficient economically and physically to harvest. …
Lettuce Lessons – An AgNet Media Commentary
Florida growers of romaine lettuce are losing millions of dollars at the start of their season, even though harvest dates should clear the Florida crop in the present recall. By Gary Cooper The E. coli romaine lettuce scare coming out of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) last Tuesday effectively shut down the movement of this lettuce variety throughout …
Florida Growers Angered with CDC, FDA E. coli Announcement
Most have probably seen in the news that there has been another E. coli outbreak. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are advising consumers to refrain from eating any romaine lettuce from any source until the origin of this outbreak is discovered. Florida growers are now going to suffer from a dried-up market, even though the tainted lettuce …
Sneak Peek: December VSCNews Magazine
The Southeast has an incredibly diverse agricultural industry, and it continues to expand. The December issue of VSCNews magazine will explore up-and-coming crops in the Southeast, as well as some international crops that could be a good fit for this region. Hop production has been a popular topic in Florida, especially at the University of Florida’s (UF) Gulf Coast Research …
He Grew Up in 4-H, Now Brown Honored as ‘Friend of IFAS’
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Raised on a family farm in Orange Heights, Florida, Reggie Brown recalls taking his chickens to the Gainesville town square for a 4-H contest when he was about 9 or 10. “I won the blue ribbon. I was real proud,” Brown said. As a child, Brown immersed himself in such Florida 4-H projects. For another project, he …
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Accepting Applications for Specialty Crop Grants
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.–Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam announced today the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is now accepting applications for $4 million in expected federal funding for the Florida Specialty Crop Block Grant program. The deadline to submit an application to the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program is Jan. 11, 2019. The grant, from the U.S. Department of …