By Clint Thompson A severe drought in Mobile County, Alabama and Baldwin County, Alabama is not negatively influencing fruit and vegetable production, says Joe Kemble, Alabama Extension vegetable specialist. “Most of the veggies down there are irrigated,” Kemble said. “I don’t know anyone that doesn’t irrigate, frankly, in that area.” Irrigation is important in that area right now. In the …
Florida Produce Farmer Concerned Over Lack of Fair Trade
By Clint Thompson A Florida produce farmer is the latest to voice his concern over the impact Mexican imports are having on American farmers. Will Hyatt, who farms bell peppers and cantaloupes in Lake Wales, Florida, said there are multiple reasons consumers should buy domestic. He also believes the idea of fair trade is a fantasy and not reality. “I …
Timing is Everything for Florida Farmer
By Clint Thompson Timing is everything, and for Florida produce farmer Will Hyatt, it might be the key to a successful season. Hyatt, who farms bell peppers and cantaloupes in Lake Wales, Florida, has been picking melons for more than a week. He was fortunate not to have to deal with the challenge of marketing produce during the onset of …
N.C. State Extension Specialist: Vegetables Look Fabulous
By Clint Thompson North Carolina vegetables look “fabulous,” according to Chris Gunter, N.C. State Extension vegetable production specialist. In fact, the main concern appears to be having enough workers in place to pick the crop once harvest season begins. And also how to keep their labor force safe amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. “They’re more concerned about how it’s going …
Commissioner Nikki Fried Highlights $522 Million in COVID-19 Crop Losses and Importance of Agriculture Aid
Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, Agriculture Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) released the Florida Seasonal Crop COVID-19 Impact Assessment, a new report providing data on crop losses facing Florida farmers. Based on figures reported by growers, total crop losses across the state through mid-April 2020 may exceed $522.5 million. Florida is the nation’s second-largest producer of seasonal specialty …
UF/IFAS Vegetable Growers Meeting Rescheduled to Online Format
By Clint Thompson The University of Florida (UF)/IFAS vegetable growers meeting scheduled for April 23 will meet via online beginning at 10 a.m. Those interested in learning about weed management can join via https://ufl.zoom.us/j/831234086. The Meeting ID is 831 234 086. Those interested can also join via mobile: +16465588656, 831234086# US (New York);+16699006833, 831234086# US (San Jose). Due to the …
The Day South Florida Agriculture Changed
Submitted by Gene McAvoy, Regional Vegetable Extension Agent IV Emeritus with UF/IFAS “Up to the end of Feb our growers were having a banner year and it looked like this season would be one of those homeruns that come around every 5-6 years.” Here is a report that I prepared on the state of S Florida ag and shared with …
Crop Insurance Hurricane Endorsement Offered
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) has announced a new crop insurance endorsement, Hurricane Insurance Protection – Wind Index (HIP-WI). HIP-WI covers a portion of the deductible of the underlying crop insurance policy when a county, or adjacent county, is within the area of sustained hurricane-force winds. HIP-WI provides coverage for 70 different crops, including all citrus, insured under …
Georgia Vegetable Growers Should Plan Ahead to Prepare for Harvest in Light of COVID-19 Pandemic
By Andre Luiz Biscaia Ribeiro da Silva/UGA CAES News Most vegetable crops in Georgia — such as bell pepper, specialty peppers, tomato, eggplant, cucumber, yellow squash, and zucchini — are currently being planted and will continue to be into early April. These crops should be harvested in May and June. However, in light of the current coronavirus (COVID-19) situation, Georgia …
Hoop Houses Benefit Organic Vegetable Production
By Clint Thompson Hoop houses help protect vegetables from rain-induced diseases while providing organic growers the opportunity to produce a crop throughout the year, according to Elizabeth Little, University of Georgia associate professor and Extension plant pathologist. BETTER QUALITY, LESS SPACEHoop houses, also known as high tunnels, are types of greenhouses that help organic growers produce high-quality crops if managed …