COLUMBIA — From the field to the table, food distribution in South Carolina was strengthened in 2020. It was due in large part to the South Carolina Food Hub Network. It assisted food distributors in the Palmetto State buy and distribute more than $1.3 million of food grown in South Carolina. This strengthened local food systems and aided farmers during …
Strength in Numbers for ‘We Believe in Florida Citrus’ Movement
Learn more about initiative that shines a light on the positives happening for the Sunshine State’s signature crop.
QLA Deadline: Pecan Producers Reminded to Sign Up
University of Georgia Cooperative Extension pecan specialist Lenny Wells encourages producers to apply for the Quality Loss Adjustment (QLA) program. The deadline for the USDA program, which provides assistance to farmers who suffered eligible losses due to natural disasters in 2018 and 2019, is Friday, March 5. Wells reminded growers of the program in the UGA Pecan Extension blog. Hurricane …
Wage Increase: H-2A Workers Receiving Bump in Hourly Rate
Southeast producers who utilize the H-2A program finally know what the minimum wage is they must pay in 2021. The USDA Farm Labor Survey revealed that wage rates for H-2A labor are increasing at an average rate of 4.5% or $0.63 per hour across the country. For the Southeast, though, those levels are much lower. Florida’s wages will increase by …
Point Made: Financial Impact of Imports of Fruits and Vegetables
Southeast fruit and vegetable farmers have had a point all along. Imports of fruits and vegetables, which have long been the source of producers’ ire in recent years, have significantly impacted the domestic industry. Produce coming in from countries like Mexico, Chile and Peru have driven down prices and put producers’ futures at risk. It was the source of the …
Decreased Results: Vegetable Production Down Slightly in 2020
According to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, vegetable production throughout the country decreased in 2020 from 2019. Production for the 26 estimated vegetable and melon crops totaled 720 million cwt, down slightly from 2019. Area harvested last year was 2.33 million acres, down 1% from 2019. The top three vegetables, relating to harvested areas, were sweet corn, tomatoes and …
NASDA Seeks Flexibility to Protect Farm Workers, Specialty Crop Industry
The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) asked the Department of Agriculture this week for more flexibility in the use of Specialty Crop Block Grants. NASDA seeks additional flexibility in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 to enhance its response to the continued demands COVID-19 places on the industry. NASDA CEO Dr. Barb Glenn stated, “challenges impacting our …
Sugarcane Production Up
Sugarcane production forecasts are up 1% from last month and 13% from last year, according to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. Production is projected at 36.0 million tons. Producers intend to harvest 948,800 acres for sugar and seed during the 2020 crop year, which is a 1% increase from the previous forecast and a 4% jump from last year. …
GDA Announces Specialty Crop Block Grant Program
The Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) announces the competitive solicitation process to award the 2021 Specialty Crop Block Grant. The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) funds projects that “enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops.” Please see the specific listing of all eligible and ineligible crops at https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/grants/scbgp/specialty-crop. These include fruits and tree nuts, vegetables and horticulture crops. “The goal of …
Opportunity Awaits? Blueberry Exports to China Could Be Game Changer
While the pending International Trade Commission decision regarding the case of serious injury that imports have had against blueberry growers will be pivotal for producers in Florida and Georgia, another marketing opportunity may lie with producers capitalizing on exports to China. Greg Fonsah, University of Georgia Agribusiness Extension economist, said during Friday’s Ag Forecast meeting there is a real opportunity …