Vegetable Consumption Dropped in 2023

Clint ThompsonVegetables

Vegetable consumption dipped in 2023, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Economic Research Service (ERS) Situation and Outlook Report. USDA ERS data indicated that the domestic availability (proxy for consumption) was 155.4 million pounds, a 2.2% decrease from availability in 2022. Per capita availability of lettuce actually increased by 3% to 31.5 pounds in 2023, though there were …

Florida Strawberry Acreage Increased in 2023

Clint ThompsonFlorida, Strawberries

By Clint Thompson Florida’s strawberry acres increased in 2023 and so did subsequent production. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service, Florida’s acreage totaled 14,200, an increase from 12,800 in 2022 and 12,300 in 2021. Total production reached 2.9 million cwt in 2023, compared to 2.8 million cwt in 2022 and 2.83 million cwt in 2021. …

U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council Awarded $1.3 Million from Regional Ag Promotion Program

Clint ThompsonBlueberries

The U.S. Highbush Council (USHBC) has been awarded $1.3 million from the U.S. Department of Food and Agriculture’s Regional Agricultural Promotion Program (RAPP) to expand export opportunities for domestic blueberries. “We applaud Secretary Tom Vilsack, Undersecretary Alexis Taylor and the Senate Agriculture Committee for their visionary leadership in creating the RAPP program,” said Kasey Cronquist, president of USHBC. “Their support …

USHBC Awarded $1.3 Million from Regional Agricultural Promotion Program

Clint ThompsonBlueberries

The U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHB) was awarded $1.3 million from the U.S. Department of Food and Agriculture’s Regional Agricultural Promotion Program (RAPP) to expand export opportunities for domestic blueberries.  “We applaud Secretary Tom Vilsack, Undersecretary Alexis Taylor, and the Senate Agriculture Committee for their visionary leadership in creating the RAPP program,” said Kasey Cronquist, president of USHBC. “Their support …

pests

Pests in Disguise: Georgia Helping Farmers Hurt by Feral Hogs, Deer

Dan CooperGeorgia, Pest Management, Pests

Agricultural pests are sometimes disguised as animals looking for food sources. Unfortunately for producers in Georgia, that food source will often be their crops. Georgia’s legislative leaders are arming state agencies with substantial funding in next year’s budget to tackle this substantial problem. Included was $150,000 directed to the Georgia Department of Agriculture for the Feral Hog Task Force and …

N.C. Ag Economic Impact Jumps to $111.1 Billion

Clint ThompsonNorth Carolina

RALEIGH – The economic impact of North Carolina’s agriculture and agribusiness industry jumped to $111.1 billion, posting a second straight year of strong growth at nearly $8 billion, according to Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “With last year’s increase of $10 billion, that represents over $18 billion in growth since 2022 when we were coming out of a pandemic and some …

Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: Protecting Our Food Security is Critical

Clint ThompsonSpecialty Crop Grower Magazine

By Rick Scott Florida growers play a critical role in providing for and contributing to the state, its families and businesses. They are job creators, innovators and hardworking Floridians that drive our state forward generation after generation and show the rewards of hard work in achieving the American dream. That’s why I am so proud to fight every day in …

Sen. Ossoff Pushing to Protect Georgia’s Agriculture from Invasive Species

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff is working to protect Georgia farms from pests and diseases. Sen. Ossoff has launched a push to pass the bipartisan Beagle Brigade Act of 2023, legislation he co-sponsored to make permanent the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s National Detector Dog Training Center in Newnan, Georgia. The center trains the Beagle Brigade, dogs trained by …

RMA Administrator Discusses Nursery Value Select Program Expansion

Clint ThompsonUSDA

By Clint Thompson The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is encouraging specialty crop producers and nursery operators to participate in the Nursery Value Select Program; a program that has existed for decades in a limited number of states and counties. Marcia Bunger, administrator for the USDA Risk Management Agency (RMA), discussed the program’s expansion to include many more states and …

Georgia Ag Commissioner Harper, Agribusiness Leaders Explore Emerging Indian Market

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

Atlanta, GA – Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper, Georgia Grown staff, and several Georgia agribusinesses visited New Delhi, India, in April on an agribusiness trade mission sponsored by the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service. The trade mission was led by USDA Under Secretary for Trade & Foreign Affairs Alexis M. Taylor and included representatives from 47 U.S.-based …