By Clint Thompson The Florida tomato industry struggles to stay afloat amid rising imports and a decreasing labor force. Artificial iIntelligence (AI) may be the secret weapon to help Florida growers combat these significant challenges, says Nathan Boyd, Associate Center Director of the UF/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center and Professor of Horticulture and Weed Science. “Production wise, it’s …
Track the Journey From Citrus Seed To Growing Success
See how the Florida Citrus Research Foundation continues its support of A.H. Whitmore Foundation seed source block.
Funding Available to Help South Carolina Farmers with Organic Certification
COLUMBIA – South Carolina farmers and food processors who want to pursue organic certification may qualify for reimbursement through a grant administered by the South Carolina Department of Agriculture. “Organic certification can open up new market opportunities for South Carolina farmers and companies,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Hugh Weathers. “Our cost share grant programs are a great use of public …
Commissioner Fried Encourages Producers to Apply for Pandemic Assistance
Tallahassee, Fla. — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced updates to a pandemic assistance program for agriculture producers. The updates to the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2 (CFAP2) include expanded eligibility and increased flexibility. USDA has set a deadline of Oct. 12, 2021 for eligible producers to apply or modify CFAP2 applications. Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried and …
New UF/IFAS Dean of Extension: Andra Johnson Named to Position
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Andra Johnson, associate director of Penn State Extension, will be the next dean of UF/IFAS Extension and director of the Florida Cooperative Extension Service. Johnson will assume the role on Nov. 1. Johnson will lead UF/IFAS’ statewide network of more than 650 faculty educators and scientists, whose programs and expertise support economic, environmental and community health. These …
Why This Lifelong Citrus Grower Is Taking a Deep Dive Into Regenerative Agriculture
Brad Turner has a passion for learning. His new focus: alternative means of growing Florida’s signature crop.
H-2A Study: Farmers Reliant on Program Now More Than Ever
By Clint Thompson With the domestic workforce almost non-existent, Southeast vegetable and specialty crop producers rely on the H-2A program now more than ever. Data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service outlines the growth the program has made over the past decade. Certified H-2A positions increased substantially from 2010 to 2019. The number more than tripled from …
Increased Interest: Crop Insurance Grows for Specialty, Organic Crops
WASHINGTON – The number of specialty and organic agricultural producers who purchase insurance for their crops continues to climb. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) attributes the recent surge to its work with producers and agricultural groups to create new crop insurance options, expand and improve current options and to support local food efforts. USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) recently released …
Secret Weapon? Newest Citrus Disease Tool Could be Found in Citrus Micobiome
LAKE ALFRED, FLA — The tiny microbes that reside in citrus trees could be the key to growers’ success against citrus diseases, like citrus canker. University of Florida researchers hope to discover how microbes may benefit citrus trees, and the end result may be an environmentally friendly and sustainable way to control plant pathogens. Nian Wang, professor of microbiology …
NCDA&CS Offers Organic Certification Cost-Share Assistance
RALEIGH – Organic growers in North Carolina can apply for partial reimbursement of the cost of becoming certified or for recertification through a program offered by the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Growers who are certified or re-certified between Oct. 1, 2020, and Sept. 30, 2021, can apply for assistance through the program. “Applicants can be reimbursed up …