Alabama Farmer Discusses Benefits With Hydroponics

Clint ThompsonAlabama

By Clint Thompson One Alabama farmer has cultivated a niche farming practice with his hydroponics operation. Hydroponics is a farming practice where a producer grows plants using a water-based mineral nutrient solution instead of traditional soil. It’s a process that Ralf Du Toit has made sustainable since 2012 with Extreme Greens Farm in Auburn, Alabama. While the main focus is …

Clemson Extension Agents Provide Weekly Crop Updates

Clint ThompsonSouth Carolina

Clemson Extension agents provide updates in The South Carolina Grower this week about the status of various crops being produced throughout the state. Statewide Tom Bilbo, Extension Entomologist Vegetable growers — be aware that the EPA is seeking public comments on an issue regarding the use of neonicotinoid insecticides (e.g., Admire, Assail, Belay, Actor, Venom) on food crops. Clemson/University of …

Expo Presentation: Cover Crops Important Management Tactic

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Clint Thompson Cover crops remain an integral part of nematode management in Florida. But they should be part of specialty crop growers’ management strategies every year, according to Johan Desaeger, assistant professor of entomology and nematology at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Gulf Coast Research and Education Center. Desaeger provided an update about …

Dry Weather’s Impact in Southeast Alabama

Clint ThompsonAlabama

By Clint Thompson Most of Alabama has experienced sufficient rainfall in recent weeks. That’s provided much of the state with adequate moisture. However, one area could use some rain showers, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Abnormally dry weather conditions are being observed across most of southern Alabama. Neil Kelly, Alabama regional Extension agent in Southeast Alabama talked about the …

Alabama Tomato Producer: Rainfall Challenging This Year

Clint ThompsonAlabama

By Clint Thompson Increased rains in Alabama have provided difficult weather conditions to grow tomatoes. That’s according to Chad Smith, who grows tomatoes in St. Clair County in the central part of the state. “It’s been pretty challenging,” Smith said. “Like I would prefer for it to be dry versus too wet. It got to a point where it was …

Extension Plant Pathologist Provides Disease Update in Alabama

Clint ThompsonAlabama

By Clint Thompson Drought continues to be less of a problem for most of Alabama, as evidenced by the latest release of the U.S. Drought Monitor on July 30. However, with the recent rains comes an uptick in disease pressure for the state’s vegetable crops. Ed Sikora, professor and Extension plant pathologist in the department of entomology and plant pathology …

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. Statewide Report Tony Keinath, Extension Plant Pathologist Lowcountry Report Anna Sara Hill Midlands Report Rob Last Daniel Lyon Sarah Scott Sponsored ContentNew Syngenta Varieties Offer Grower SolutionsFebruary 1, 2026Attribute® II Technology Adds More Flexibility …

Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: Artificial Intelligence Gaining Ground in Agtech Sector

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Frank Giles In almost every conceivable sector, artificial intelligence (AI) is exploding onto the scene as it merges into our daily lives. Agriculture is no exception, as AI technology becomes integral in the agtech sector. Some sources indicate that the U.S. market value of AI in agriculture has already surpassed $1 billion. Expectations are for that figure to rise. …

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. Lowcountry Report Anna Sara Hill Zack Snipes Midlands Report Rob Last Daniel Lyon Upstate Report Andy Rollins Sponsored ContentNew Syngenta Varieties Offer Grower SolutionsFebruary 1, 2026Attribute® II Technology Adds More Flexibility and Strength to …

Scientists Try to Limit Tomato Disease from Spreading Via Grower Spraying

Clint ThompsonFlorida

Bacterial spot disease isn’t just a nuisance for tomato growers – it’s a relentless, weather-powered villain that can ruin a field of promising fruit. When warm rains roll in and humidity hangs in the air, the pathogen behind bacterial spot comes alive, spreading fast and scarring tomatoes so they can’t be sold. Growers rely on fungicides to fight the disease, …