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 …
UGA Researcher: Vegetable Morphology Key in Helping Plant Breeders
By Clint Thompson University of Georgia plant biologist Esther van der Knaap has studied genes in vegetables for more than 20 years. She believes the more information that scientists can obtain about a vegetable’s morphology; referring to its size and shape; the better equipped plant breeders will be in creating new and better cultivars. The lack of knowledge on morphological …
USDA’s Buy Fresh program has tight deadlines
The newly announced $100-million-per-month USDA Buy Fresh program offers produce companies a way to sell products for government feeding programs. And the application process starts right away. The United Fresh Produce Association BB #:145458 said USDA told them the requests for proposals will open April 24; proposals are due back to USDA May 1; awards will be announced May 8; …
South Carolina Hopeful for Productive Fruit and Vegetable Season
By Clint Thompson The current coronavirus pandemic has impacted fruit and vegetable farmers across the Southeast. South Carolina producers may be better equipped to deal with the current crisis based off who their normal clientele is. “I think everyone here is looking at Florida and is not liking what we see down there but hoping that our situation is a …
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 …
Fried: Florida Farm to You Initiative a Tremendous Hit
By Clint Thompson The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) is connecting the state’s farmers with local consumers. The results so far have been tremendous, according to Nikki Fried, Florida Ag Commissioner. Fried highlighted the Florida Farm to You initiative that is designed to aid farmers, who are struggling to sell produce and other commodities during the ongoing …
UF/IFAS Extension Agent Emeritus Defends Florida Farmers
By Clint Thompson Already a difficult production season for Florida’s fruit and vegetable producers, some are unjustly being criticized for trying to manipulate the market and get government handouts, says Gene McAvoy, UF/IFAS Extension agent emeritus. He defended growers and their farming operations amid scrutiny about criticism for not being more gracious with their crop. “It is a very complex …
Whiteflies Already a Problem for Florida Farmers
By Clint Thompson Between the coronavirus pandemic and decreased demand for their product, Florida’s vegetable farmers have had their share of challenges this past month. Add whiteflies to the list. According to the South Florida Vegetable Pest and Disease Hotline, the Immokalee, Florida area in South Florida has seen hundreds of acres abandoned. This is due to irregular ripening and …
Florida Farmer: It’s Demand and it’s Competition With Foreign Products That’s Beating us up
By Clint Thompson Count Daren Hanshaw in as one of the numerous Florida fruit and vegetable growers impacted by the coronavirus pandemic and the continued imports of produce from other countries. Hanshaw who owns Hanshaw Farms in Immokalee, Florida, grows cucumbers, tomatoes, watermelons and cantaloupes on about 500 acres. He’s experienced the negative impact of the past month with all …
Weather Impacting Alabama Vegetable Production
By Clint Thompson Farmers in South Alabama are in desperate need of rain. Producers in North Alabama need field conditions to dry so they can plant their crop. It’s been an unpredictable winter and early part of spring for the state’s vegetable growers. “It’s been wet in the central and northern part of the state and it has been impressively …