By Clint Thompson Like other agriculture-based organizations across the country, the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance (SCFBA) is concerned about the current upheaval in Washington, D.C. The absence of a Speaker of the House has pushed back legislative issues like the next Farm Bill. It has created concern among specialty crop leaders about when one would actually be created, says …
Crop Insurance Deadline Is Nov. 20 For Florida Blueberries and Whole-Farm Revenue Protection
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Risk Management Agency (RMA) reminds Florida blueberry producers that the deadline to apply for crop insurance coverage for the 2024 crop year is Nov. 20. Growers who are interested in the Whole-Farm Revenue Protection policy and are late fiscal year filers have until Nov. 20 to apply for crop insurance. Current policyholders who wish …
U.S. Specialty Crop Coalition Endorses Legislation Addressing Nutrition, Organics
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance (SCFBA), a national coalition of more than 200 specialty crop organizations representing growers of fruits, vegetables, dried fruit, tree nuts, nursery plants and other products, endorsed nutrition and organic bills last week that cover key policy priorities outlined in the group’s 2023 Farm Bill recommendations: “The U.S. specialty crop industry is …
Anthracnose Disease a Growing Concern for Peach Producers
By Clint Thompson Anthracnose disease is on the rise in peaches in the Southeast. University of Georgia researchers are determined to find out why. Phil Brannen, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension fruit disease specialist, is wary that fungicide resistance is a culprit as to why disease instances have increased in recent years. “I fear, and it’s something we need to …
U.S. Specialty Crop Coalition Endorses Legislation Addressing Nutrition and OrganicsÂ
The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance (SCFBA), a national coalition of more than 200 specialty crop organizations representing growers of fruits, vegetables, dried fruit, tree nuts, nursery plants and other products, has endorsed nutrition and organic bills that cover key policy priorities outlined in the group’s 2023 Farm Bill recommendations: “The U.S. specialty crop industry is crucial to our national …
Vanilla Could Be the Next Big Crop for Small Farmers in Southern FloridaÂ
Florida is on the verge of a new agricultural crop that could give small farmers in the southern region of the state a high-value alternative to vegetable and fruit production.  University of Florida researchers at the Tropical Research and Education Center have embarked on a comprehensive evaluation of vanilla – from developing fertilizer recommendations to developing the highest-yielding and disease-resistant …
Getting Their House in Order: Farm Bill Legislation on Hold Amid Government Upheaval
By Clint Thompson The waiting game for specialty crop producers eager for new Farm Bill legislation is going to be a longer wait than expected. Kevin McCarthy’s ouster as Speaker of the House a couple of weeks ago means legislators must find his replacement before any progress on a new Farm Bill can take place, says Adam Rabinowitz, Alabama Extension …
Imports Battering the U.S. Blueberry Industry
By A. Malek Hammami and Zhengfei Guan The United States is a major blueberry producer. The value of production in 2021 reached $1.1 billion, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service (USDA ERS). USDA statistics show that total U.S. blueberry production in 2022 was 622 million pounds. The Pacific Northwest states of Oregon and Washington lead in …
Optimistic First Forecast for Florida Citrus
The bad news is that severe weather warnings caused the annual citrus crop luncheon to be cancelled at Putnam Ranch in Zolfo Springs, Florida. The good news is that the Florida citrus crop forecast is up in all categories. Bill Curtis, agricultural statistics administrator with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, presented the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) …
Citrus Display Season Is Here
By Peter Chaires Each year, the citrus breeding teams provide opportunities for interested parties to sample fruit from new and recent selections. This is a great opportunity to keep current on the results of this research. Some of these events also include field tours and opportunities to see the trees. A significant effort is being made to accelerate the identification …














