The 2024 Florida Tomato Institute drew a large crowd of growers and other industry stakeholders to Clewiston, Florida, in early September. In addition to educational seminars and learning what’s new from industry, growers had the opportunity to meet a new leader who has come back to Florida. Robert Guenther was recently named to leadership positions for Florida’s tomato trade associations, …
Florida Tomato Institute Dips into Hydration and Breeding
The 2024 Florida Tomato Institute drew a large crowd of growers and other industry stakeholders to Clewiston, Florida, in early September. The event showcases the latest in tomato research, new product offerings from industry and featured presentations on worker safety and plant improvement. WORKER PROTECTION The federal government has proposed new worker protection rules, and ordinances are being proposed at …
Wait and See: Florida Tomato Industry Unsure How New Law Will Impact Labor Force
By Clint Thompson Florida’s controversial immigration law could affect the labor force available for the state’s specialty crop producers this year. That includes the tomato industry. Michael Schadler, manager of the Florida Tomato Committee and executive vice president of the Florida Tomato Exchange, spoke during Wednesday’s Tomato Conference in Labelle. He highlighted the law and how growers could be impacted. …
Florida Tomato Conference Scheduled For Sept. 13
Florida tomato growers should mark their calendars for the upcoming Tomato Conference, scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 13, at the Labelle Civic Center in LaBelle, Florida. The conference is presented by the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) and the Florida Tomato Committee. Attendees will hear from industry leaders and university scientists about the latest trends and …
Florida Tomato Committee Seeks Nominations for 2023-2025
Maitland, FL – The Florida Tomato Committee (FTC) will hold a virtual meeting on Wednesday, May 10, for tomato producers to nominate fellow growers or themselves to serve on the committee for a two-year term, from September 2023 to September 2025. The FTC is a federal marketing order that regulates the handling of Florida tomatoes and supports the industry …
Florida Tomato Season Update
By Clint Thompson Florida tomato season has all but finished for the year, while South Georgia’s season is beginning to ramp up. Michael Schadler, manager of the Florida Tomato Committee and executive vice president of the Florida Tomato Exchange, discusses the current Florida tomato season production and market facing Southeast producers. “The South and Central Florida season is effectively over. North Florida and …
Tomato Season Update
By Clint Thompson Tomato season has all but finished for the year in Florida, while South Georgia’s season is beginning to ramp up. Michael Schadler, manager of the Florida Tomato Committee and executive vice president of the Florida Tomato Exchange, discusses the current production and market facing Southeast producers. “The South and Central Florida season is effectively over. North Florida and …
Improved Prices for Florida Tomatoes
By Clint Thompson The prolonged period of decreased prices for Florida tomatoes may be nearing an end. Growers should be encouraged by an uptick in prices in recent weeks. Michael Schadler, manager of the Florida Tomato Committee and executive vice president of the Florida Tomato Exchange, describes the change in momentum that has shifted in producers’ favor. “A month ago, …
Florida Tomato Expert: Production High, Prices Low
By Clint Thompson Almost perfect weather conditions for Florida production of tomatoes should have had most growers reaping the rewards by now. But that’s not the case, due in large part to a multitude of factors, says Michael Schadler, manager of the Florida Tomato Committee and Executive Vice President of the Florida Tomato Exchange. “The weather throughout the Florida growing …