By Clint Thompson The ongoing coronavirus pandemic is taking a toll on agricultural research programs at the University of Florida/IFAS. Some research has been halted since quarantine and social distancing rules were put in place in early March. “It is definitely having an impact on our research. We are slowing down many of the projects because there’s not a safe …
UF Weather Alert Website for Farms now Mobile-Friendly, Among Other Updates
By: Kirsten Romaguera, 352-294-3313, kromaguera@ufl.edu GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The Florida Automated Weather Network (FAWN) just relaunched its website with a new look and additional user-focused features. It is a University of Florida-operated service aiding agricultural decision-makers statewide since 1997. “Our main goal in revamping the site was to make it more efficient for users,” said Rick Lusher, UF/IFAS project manager …
UF Rootstock Research Key to Peach Production in Florida
By Clint Thompson Rootstock research could hold the key to the advancement of the peach industry in Florida. According to Lorenzo Rossi, University of Florida (UF) horticultural science root biologist, the research he’s teamed with UF colleague Jose Chaparro and Ph.D Student, Ricardo Lesmes, could be a game changer in the state’s peach production “In Florida, we have different type …
UF/IFAS Hemp Program On-Farm Trial Partner Application Due Today
Zack Brym/University of Florida The University of Florida/IFAS Hemp Program is seeking qualified partners across the state to permit 20 farms for on-farm trials. The application link has been extended with late submissions due tonight by 11:59 p.m. Partner farms will conduct a coordinated field planting on two acres with variations in land preparation. Partners will also have the opportunity …
UF Surveys to Identify Impact of Pandemic on Florida’s Agriculture Industry
By Kirsten Romaguera, kromaguera@ufl.edu GAINESVILLE, Fla. — With agriculture and marine industries occupying a large portion of Florida’s economy, the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) wants to better understand how measures to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 are impacting these sectors. Starting today, faculty from the UF/IFAS Food and Resource Economics (FRE) department are deploying …
UF/IFAS Extension Agent Emeritus Defends Florida Farmers
By Clint Thompson Already a difficult production season for Florida’s fruit and vegetable producers, some are unjustly being criticized for trying to manipulate the market and get government handouts, says Gene McAvoy, UF/IFAS Extension agent emeritus. He defended growers and their farming operations amid scrutiny about criticism for not being more gracious with their crop. “It is a very complex …
UF/IFAS Extension Veteran: Farmers Give to Food Banks in Time of COVID-19
By: Brad Buck, bradbuck@ufl.edu With the COVID-19 shutdowns increasing people’s need for food, some consumers rely on nonprofits for a bite to eat. To help, farmers in Florida and elsewhere are donating excess produce to food banks, said a UF/IFAS expert. In fact, some food banks are helping farmers by offsetting some of their costs, thus incentivizing growers to harvest …
UF/IFAS Vegetable Growers Meeting Rescheduled to Online Format
By Clint Thompson The University of Florida (UF)/IFAS vegetable growers meeting scheduled for April 23 will meet via online beginning at 10 a.m. Those interested in learning about weed management can join via https://ufl.zoom.us/j/831234086. The Meeting ID is 831 234 086. Those interested can also join via mobile: +16465588656, 831234086# US (New York);+16699006833, 831234086# US (San Jose). Due to the …
UF/IFAS Participates in Farm Share Event
By Clint Thompson The University of Florida/IFAS participated in a Farm Share event on Wednesday that led to more than 40,000 pounds of food being distributed to 802 households in Alachua County, Florida. UF Associate Vice President for Agriculture and Natural Resources Jeanna Mastrodicasa said UF deployed 19 vehicles, including Elaine Turner, dean of the UF/IFAS College of Agricultural and …
UF/IFAS Seeking Partners for Hemp On-Farm Trials
The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) hemp program is seeking 20 qualified partners across Florida for on-farm trials. Zack Brym, agronomist at the Tropical Research and Education Center in Homestead and research coordinator of the UF/IFAS Industrial Hemp Pilot Project, says partner farms will conduct a coordinated field planting on 2 acres with variations in land …