Sen. Tuberville Leads Effort to Freeze AEWR

Clint ThompsonAlabama, Labor

Count U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) as one legislator trying to use his political influence to reverse recent action on the Adverse Effect Wage Rate. Along with nine other senators, Tuberville sent a letter (dated Feb. 6) to the leadership of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees, requesting action to freeze H-2A wage rates at the January 2023 levels and …

Alabama Peach Trees Enjoying High Chill Hours

Clint ThompsonAlabama, Peaches

By Clint Thompson Alabama peach trees are off to a strong start this year thanks to high chill hours. But growers are also aware this is just the first step in establishing a crop for the upcoming spring, says Edgar Vinson, assistant research professor and Extension specialist in the Department of Horticulture at Auburn University β€œIt’s looking pretty good as …

Alabama Extension to Host Two Irrigation Workshops in February

Clint ThompsonAlabama, Irrigation

AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala. β€” The Alabama Cooperative Extension System is offering two irrigation field days in February. The workshops are designed to provide support to farmers as they implement precision agriculture technologies to strengthen preplanting, in-season and harvest management strategies. Brenda Ortiz, an Alabama Extension precision agriculture specialist, said the topics will allow producers to make plans for irrigation use …

Specialty Crop Block Grants: ADAI Accepting Applications

Clint ThompsonAlabama

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) is accepting grant applications for projects that enhance the competitiveness of U.S. specialty crops in foreign and domestic markets. The application deadline for these specialty crop block grants through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is March 15, 2024, 5:00 p.m. CST. Specialty crops are defined by USDA …

Hemp Meetings Set for Alabama

Clint ThompsonAlabama, Hemp

AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala. – The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) will host four industrial hemp meetings for new and seasoned growers next month. Sonja Thomas, Alabama Extension pesticide safety specialist, said all meetings will follow the same agenda, so growers only need to attend one. “The meeting will be an overview of the 2024 hemp season with changes …

Citrus Trees Weather Sub-Freezing Nights

Clint ThompsonAlabama, Citrus, Florida, Georgia

By Clint Thompson Trees in the Cold-Hardy Citrus Region weathered last week’s multiple nights of sub-freezing temperatures, according to one industry expert. β€œI had somebody here at the house and they said, β€˜Are you still running sprinklers?’ I was like, β€˜Heavens no, but it’s all that ice thawing out and running out into the road.’ It’s a pond out there …

AFVGA Conference Registration Extended to Jan. 28

Clint ThompsonAlabama

Conference registration has been extended to Jan. 28 for those interested in attending the Alabama Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association Conference (AFVGA), slated for Feb. 14-16 in Gulf Shores, Alabama. The registration price of $200 covers all planned meal functions, breaks, breakouts and general sessions. The conference will be held at The Lodge at Gulf State Park. Educational sessions, workshops, …

Second Annual Drone Conference Scheduled for Feb. 26-29

Clint ThompsonAlabama

AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala. β€” The Alabama Cooperative Extension System is hosting the second annual Spray Drone End-User Conference on Feb. 26-29 at The Lodge at Gulf State Park in Gulf Shores, Alabama. The first conference was held virtually in 2023, with 220 people in attendance. This year, Steve Li, an Alabama Extension weed scientist, and his team are offering the conference …

Jan. 15 Deadline for AFVGA Conference Registration

Clint ThompsonAlabama

By Clint Thompson The Alabama Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (AFVGA) reminds those interested in attending its annual conference, scheduled for Feb. 14-16 in Gulf Shores, Alabama, that the registration deadline is just around the corner. Blake Thaxton, executive director of the AFVGA, provided an update on registration numbers with the deadline just days away. β€œ(Registration) is scheduled to close …

Fruit, Vegetable Outlooks Highlighted During Alabama Ag Outlook Conference

Clint ThompsonAlabama

The Auburn University College of Agriculture and Alabama Cooperative Extension System Farm and Agribusiness Management Team recently hosted the Alabama Agricultural Outlook Conference in Montgomery on Dec. 13. It featured speakers from across the Southeast. Agricultural enterprises and systems in the Southeast were highlighted. Will Jordan, with AgNet Media, visited with Wendiam Sawadgo from Auburn University to discuss fruit and …