Watermelon Disease Watch

Web AdminCucurbits, Research, Top Posts, Watermelon

Florida watermelon growers are constantly faced with the challenge of disease management. Whether it’s diseases vectored by whiteflies or fungal diseases such as fusarium wilt, once a crop is infected, the results can be detrimental. Nicholas Dufault, assistant professor of plant pathology and Extension specialist at the University of Florida (UF) in Gainesville, has been studying ways growers can manage …

Grafting Program Focuses on Tomatoes, Watermelon

Web AdminTop Posts, Watermelon

The grafting program at the University of Florida (UF) was formed nearly a decade ago, but one of the main goals of the program continues today. Josh Freeman, associate professor of horticulture at UF, said the grafting program was originally started to manage bacterial wilt in tomato crops. Today, the goal has slightly changed to managing fusarium wilt of watermelon …

What’s Happening? 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 Anna Sara Hill Midlands Rob Last Sarah Scott Pee Dee Brittney King Sponsored ContentNuseed Carinata Covers New GroundNovember 1, 2024TriEst Ag Group: Partners in ProfitabilityApril 1, 2024SECURE FUNDING NOW | USDA-Sponsored Farming …

USDA’s Discontinuation of Farm Labor Survey a Win for Producers

Clint ThompsonFlorida, Georgia

By Clint Thompson Specialty crop growers scored a significant win last week when the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced its intention to discontinue the Farm Labor Survey (FLS). The FLS helped the Department of Labor determine the AEWR, the minimum wage for H-2A workers in every state. Rates have spiraled out of control in recent years. Michael Marsh, president …

Promoting Locally Grown: Sweet Grown Alabama Widely Recognized

Clint ThompsonAlabama

By Clint Thompson Sweet Grown Alabama continues to be an effective tool in connecting retailers and consumers to locally grown produce. Even though the program is still in a growing stage, it is becoming widely recognized across the state. Aisling Walding, assistant director of Sweet Grown Alabama, talked about the program’s growth and its spike in popularity. “We are still …

Crop Updates in South Carolina

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. Midlands Rob Last Pee Dee Brittney King Upstate Andy Rollins Sponsored ContentNuseed Carinata Covers New GroundNovember 1, 2024TriEst Ag Group: Partners in ProfitabilityApril 1, 2024SECURE FUNDING NOW | USDA-Sponsored Farming Project Underway in the …

Sneak Peek: August 2025 Specialty Crop Grower Magazine

Clint ThompsonSneak peek

The August issue of Specialty Crop Grower Magazine highlights the announcement that block grants will deliver disaster aid to Florida farmers. Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins visited Florida in July to make the announcement regarding disaster relief which will help growers recover from hurricanes that have impacted the state in recent years. Farm labor remains a trendy topic throughout the specialty …

Southeast Specialty Crop Leaders Provide Overview of Production Season

Clint ThompsonAlabama, Georgia

By Clint Thompson Fruit and vegetable farmers have mostly concluded their summer harvests and are now preparing for the upcoming fall season. Chris Butts, executive director of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA), highlighted the challenges associated with spring production and what growers experienced this summer’s harvests. “I think it kind of depends on who you ask. In …

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 Anna Sara Hill Zack Snipes Midlands Rob Last Pee Dee Brittney King Upstate Andy Rollins Sponsored ContentNuseed Carinata Covers New GroundNovember 1, 2024TriEst Ag Group: Partners in ProfitabilityApril 1, 2024SECURE FUNDING NOW …

Bob Hochmuth a Hall of Famer

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Clint Thompson A North Florida Extension agent was inducted into the National Association of County Agricultural Agents (NACAA) Hall of Fame last week. Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, became the fourth Extension agent and 78th overall to be inducted into the NACAA Hall of …