Rainy Impact: Expect Disease Pressure Increase in North Florida Watermelons

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Clint Thompson A ‘significant increase’ in watermelon diseases is expected across the Suwanee Valley region of North Florida following rainfall last weekend. Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, reported in his weekly email that reports over gummy stem blight and downy mildew should spike after rainfall …

florida tomato

Florida Tomato Field Day Scheduled for May 15

Clint ThompsonFlorida

Florida tomato growers should mark their calendars for the Florida Tomato Field Day, scheduled for Thursday, May 15 at the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center in Wimauma, Florida. Multiple scientists from the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, including entomologist Hugh Smith, tomato breeder Jessica Chitwood-Brown, plant pathologist Gary Vallad, weed scientist Nathan Boyd, horticulturalist Shinsuke …

dry

Citrus Water Needs Critical Amid Dry Period

Dan CooperIrrigation, Weather

The current dry period in the Southeast can negatively impact the region’s citrus groves. Trees in the cold-hardy citrus region of North Florida, South Georgia and South Alabama need water, especially ahead of the next harvest season. Mary Sutton, University of Georgia (UGA) assistant professor and citrus Extension specialist, discussed why water is so important this time of year. “Water …

Florida Blueberry Summer Grower Meetings Scheduled for July

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Clint Thompson Florida blueberry growers can mark their calendars for this summer’s grower meetings, set for three dates and locations in July. This summer’s meetings will be held on Tuesday, July 8, at the Polk County Extension Office in Bartow, Florida; Thursday, July 10, at the Hardee County Extension Office in Wauchula, Florida; and Thursday, July 17, at the …

Let the Plantings Begin: Challenges Await Alabama Tomato Producer

Clint ThompsonAlabama

By Clint Thompson Alabama tomato grower Destiny Allman Gladden just started the planting process for this year’s crop. A successful season will depend just as much on market prices improving than the production itself. “We’ve really seen a great production the past couple of years. We’ve had beautiful tomatoes, pretty good crop,” Gladden said. “Marketing wise, it really boils down …

USDA, South Carolina Department of Ag Award $4.1 Million to Strengthen Food Supply Chain

Clint ThompsonSouth Carolina

COLUMBIA – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service has partnered with the South Carolina Department of Agriculture to award $4.1 million for 26 projects through the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) Program. The 26 projects consist of four infrastructure projects and 22 equipment projects to build resilience along the middle of the supply chain while strengthening local …

So Far, So Good: Florida Blueberry Harvests Strong

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Clint Thompson A prolonged dry spell is not unexpected for Florida’s farmers this time of year. It does present ideal weather conditions for the state’s blueberries to be harvested. Doug Phillips, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Blueberry Extension Coordinator, discussed the current harvest season. “It’s good picking weather, because you definitely want the berries …

North Florida Watermelon Progression

Clint ThompsonAs Seen On Instagram, Florida

By Clint Thompson The sooner that watermelons in the Suwanee Valley can be harvested and marketed this year the better for North Florida producers. That time frame looks to be around mid-May, says Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida. If the current hot and dry weather …

Sneak Peek: May 2025 Specialty Crop Grower Magazine

Clint ThompsonSneak peek

The May issue of Specialty Crop Grower Magazine focuses on Grimmway Farms, one of the largest carrot producers in the world, with more than 40,000 acres planted every year. Jeff Huckaby, a fourth-generation farmer, joined Grimmway Farms in 1998. He discussed the company and its ability to keep the customer happy and supply carrots all year long. The key to …