Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: Florida Strawberry Grower Seeing Success With Blackberries

Clint ThompsonSpecialty Crop Grower Magazine

By Clint Thompson Florida farmer Matt Parke is still new to the state’s blackberry industry. But that hasn’t stopped him from achieving significant production improvement from year one to year two. Another boost in production could lead Parke to potentially increase acreage in a couple of years. “Once I get through this year and see how it goes and try …

Fall Fungicide Sprays a Must for Southeast Strawberry Growers

Clint ThompsonGeorgia, Strawberries

By Clint Thompson Some Southeast strawberry producers are not prone to applying fungicides during the fall after planting. That is likely to change with the high potential for Neopestalotiopsis, according to Phil Brannen, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension fruit disease specialist. “Generally, we have not sprayed very much in the fall at all. But now it’s starting to be one …

Clemson Extension Agents Provide Crop Updates

Clint ThompsonSouth Carolina

Weekly Field Update Clemson Extension agents provide updates in The South Carolina Grower this week about the status of various crops being produced throughout the state. Coastal Region Zack Snipes Midlands Phillip Carnley Rob Last Pee Dee Brittney King Sponsored ContentNew Syngenta Varieties Offer Grower SolutionsFebruary 1, 2026Attribute® II Technology Adds More Flexibility and Strength to Sweet Corn Pest ManagementJanuary …

Specialty Crop Tracker

Clint ThompsonSpecialty Crop Grower Magazine

By Clint Thompson The Specialty Crop Tracker is a record of this year’s crop progress based on observations from growers, Extension agents and other industry stakeholders on the ground throughout the Southeast. Hurricane Debby Floods Fields In early August, Hurricane Debby slowly rolled through the Southeast, dumping huge amounts of rain in certain areas. For some specialty crop growers, it …

Specialty Crop Block Grant Program Projects Announced for Alabama

Clint ThompsonAlabama

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) $495,000 to fund projects that strengthen Alabama’s specialty crop industry through the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP). The program will fund 12 projects to enhance competitiveness of specialty crop growers by using marketing, education and research for Alabama’s specialty crop …

Dry Alabama Could Impact Strawberry Plantings

Clint ThompsonAlabama

By Clint Thompson The lingering dry period affecting all of Alabama could impact strawberry plantings if there is no rain soon. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, most of Alabama is experiencing moderate or severe drought conditions. That doesn’t tell the whole story, however, says Eric Schavey, regional Extension agent in Northeast Alabama. “We are dry. That drought monitor is …

Strawberry Plant Shortage? Neopestalotiopsis Wreaking Havoc on Supply

Clint ThompsonFlorida, Georgia, Strawberries

By Clint Thompson The recent revelation that Neopestalotiopsis impacted multiple nurseries from Prince Edward Island will affect the supply of strawberry tips and plug plants that are available for Southeast growers. Producers are likely to experience a shortage as well as a spike in costs per plants that are available, says Jeff Cook, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension agriculture and …

Dry Alabama Looking for Much-Needed Rain

Clint ThompsonAlabama

By Clint Thompson It is dry in Alabama. Not just in one area, either. It is prevalent throughout most of the state. Just ask Neil Kelly, Alabama regional Extension agent in southeast Alabama. “We were fortunate early in the year, had been getting good rainfall. It’s really gotten drier now. We’ve been probably 20-plus days in a lot of places, …

Troxler Announces More Than $1.6 Million in Specialty Crop Research

Clint ThompsonNorth Carolina

RALEIGH – North Carolina Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler has announced that nine research projects, focusing on helping specialty crop growers, were awarded more than $1.16 million in specialty crop block grant funding. “Specialty crops offer great opportunities for North Carolina farmers and these projects have the potential to lead to better production recommendations for farmers and ultimately increased production,” Troxler …

Attention Strawberry Growers: ‘Alarm Bells’ for Neopestalotiopsis Disease

Clint ThompsonFlorida, Georgia, Strawberries

By Clint Thompson A disease that first impacted Florida strawberry fields in the 2018-2019 season is already causing trouble for next year’s crop. Phil Brannen, University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension fruit disease specialist, is cautioning growers about the high potential risk for Neopestalotiopsis with plants originating from Prince Edward Island. “As many strawberry producers are aware, some nurseries are …