The USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service will mail its first Hemp Acreage and Production Survey this October. The survey will collect information on the total planted and harvested area, yield, production and value of hemp in the United States. The Domestic Hemp Production Program established in the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (2018 Farm Bill) allows for the cultivation of …
Chlorpyrifos Impact: Peach Producers to Feel Sting of EPA Decision
By Clint Thompson The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) decision to stop the use of the pesticide chlorpyrifos on all food will impact Southeast peach producers. Brett Blaauw, University of Georgia assistant professor in the Department of Entomology, discusses the significance for what the decision means moving forward. “It’s been something that’s been expected for a while. Chlorpyrifos has been on …
Reports: Interest in Crop Insurance Grows for Specialty, Organic Crops
WASHINGTON, August 26, 2021 – The number of agricultural producers who purchase crop insurance for their specialty and organic crops continues to climb, which the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) attributes to its work with producers and agricultural groups in recent years to create new crop insurance options, to expand and improve current options and to support local food efforts. …
Pecan Development Lagging This Year
By Clint Thompson The pecan crop in the Southeast is a little behind in its development this year. Lenny Wells, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension pecan specialist, explains why. “It’s because of the spring that we had. We had a cold winter. Usually when you have a cold winter you have an early bud break or it doesn’t take as …
New Viruses Detected in Florida Melons
IMMOKALEE, Fla. — Florida’s watermelon producers face two new viruses. But it is important to remember that finding a disease is the first step to managing it, says a University of Florida scientist who helped diagnose both diseases. “Now that it is known that there are additional (watermelon) viruses in the mix, efforts can be made to determine their impacts …
A Look at What’s in the Citrus Breeding Project Pipeline
Proposed research endeavors will mine the rich varietal pool established in recent years.
Studying Salmonella Contamination in Onions
By Bhabesh Dutta, Govindaraj DevKumar, Brian Kvitko and Hemant Naikare Organic onion production has grown substantially over the last two decades with the adoption of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Organic Program (NOP). Consumer demand for organic food is rapidly increasing. U.S. organic growers, both large and small, are benefiting from this trend. Organic onion production faces several …
Senator Warnock Cosponsors Legislation to Provide Financial Relief to Small Farmers
From the Office of Senator Warnock Washington, D.C. – Last week at the Senate agriculture committee, U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) emphasized the importance of Congress supporting small farmers, including passing the Relief for America’s Small Farmers Act — legislation cosponsored by Senator Warnock that will support America’s small farmers through financial relief to mitigate losses suffered due to chain disruptions …
Protecting Peppers from Bacterial Spot
By Pamela Roberts and Cami Esmel McAvoy Bell and specialty peppers, such as jalapeños, are grown throughout the United States and worldwide for the fresh market or processing. Bacterial spot, caused by three different species of Xanthomonas, is a major disease affecting all pepper types. The most commonly occurring species in the United States and Florida is Xanthomonas euvesicatoria. The …
Shenandoah Growers, Inc. Establishing High-Tech Indoor Farm in S.C.
COLUMBIA – Shenandoah Growers, Inc., a national leader in commercially advanced indoor agriculture, broke ground on its next indoor ‘Biofarm,’ located in Anderson County. The project will create 50 local, well-paying jobs. With leading unit economics, capital efficiency, market reach and product offerings, Shenandoah Growers, Inc. is poised to break a long-standing market compromise by delivering 100% USDA certified organic …