(Washington, D.C., February 26, 2026) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) recently released the 2024 Census of Horticultural Specialties report. The data show that horticulture operations sold a total of $18.3 billion in floriculture, nursery and specialty crops in 2024. Horticultural sales in 2024 compared to 2019 show an increase in sales and number of …
Florida Tomato Leader Discusses Crop Following Devastating Freeze Event
By Clint Thompson Florida’s tomato industry was one of many crops impacted by the recent freeze events. Preliminary estimates of losses to the tomato industry reported by Ag Commissioner Wilton Simpson were $164.2 million. But it should not take long before the crop rebounds this year, according to Robert Guenther, executive vice president of the Florida Tomato Exchange. “I came …
TAP Assistance for Florida Growers Impacted by Recent Freeze Event
By Clint Thompson and Dale Sandlin Florida specialty crop growers suffered immensely with the Jan. 31/Feb. 1 freeze event. Time is ticking for those producers to take advantage of disaster programs offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA). Richard Fordyce, USDA Undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservation, highlighted one specific program that will benefit Florida …
Georgia Hurricane Helene Block Grant Applications Open March 16
ATLANTA – Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler J Harper announced this week that Georgia farmers, ranchers and foresters in eligible counties that have suffered losses in timber, infrastructure, poultry, beef cattle, dairy cattle, milk loss, dairy feed loss, pecans, blueberries, citrus, nursery, plasticulture and bare ground practices due to Hurricane Helene may apply for assistance through Georgia’s Hurricane Helene Block Grant Program. …
SCFBA Co-Chair Commends Farm, Food and National Security Act of 2026
By Clint Thompson The Farm, Food and National Security Act of 2026 is hopefully the first step in a new farm bill being in place for the country’s farmers sooner rather than later. The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance (SCFBA) applauded its release and how it addresses multiple needs pertinent to the fruit and vegetable industries. Kam Quarles, CEO of …
Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: Can MAHA Move the Needle on Sales?
By Frank Giles When President Trump appointed Robert Kennedy Jr. to lead the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), it was a clear signal that it would not be business as usual at the agency charged with “improving the health, safety and well-being of America.” With a budget of about $2 trillion, HHS has significant sway in American …
Estimate Puts Florida Freeze Damage at More Than $3 Billion
As growers surveyed fields and groves after the freeze in late January and early February, it was clear the damage had been catastrophic in many cases. That was confirmed by Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson with the first estimate of damage released on Feb 20. Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ (FDACS) preliminary estimates of losses to Florida …
Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: A New Year With New Opportunities
By Chris Butts The new year provides us with the opportunity to reflect, reset and develop new goals and objectives for the coming months. Looking back to January of 2025, the fruit and vegetable industry has made progress on important issues like labor rates and H-2A program rules. Successful Conference Here in Georgia, we are finding reason for optimism. We …
Specialty Crop Alliance Applauds Release of Farm, Food and National Security Act of 2026
WASHINGTON — The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance (SCFBA) issued the following statement regarding the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 released by House Committee on Agriculture Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson. “The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance commends Chairman Thompson and his staff for advancing the farm bill process and including key provisions that would enhance the competitiveness …
Seminar Program Set for Next Month’s Florida Citrus Show
The Florida Citrus Show is just a month away, scheduled for March 12. The event will be held at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Indian River Research and Education Center and the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory in Fort Pierce. The seminar program offers a wealth of educational opportunities, and …


















