New Normal? Vegetable, Fruit Sales Up Amid Pandemic

Web AdminAlabama, Coronavirus, Fruit, Top Posts, Vegetables

Increased food consumption at home amid COVID-19 means potentially more sales of fresh fruits and vegetables for Alabama producers, says Wendiam Sawadgo, Alabama Extension economist. “There was about a 50% increase in consumption at home in (last) March compared to before the pandemic. That sort of tapered off a little bit. But it’s still much higher than it was before,” …

Ant Control: Alabama Extension Encourages Farmers to Protect Crop

Web AdminAlabama, Pests, Top Posts, Vegetables

Vegetable crops are vulnerable to ant pressure this time of year. Alabama Extension encourages vegetable producers to implement management tactics as they begin planting this year’s crops. According to Alabama Extension, fire ants can protect aphids and other honeydew producers on vegetables, which makes their effects worse on the plants. Fire ants can also interfere with natural enemies. Ultimately, though, …

Vegetable Assessment: Georgia Growers Approve

Web AdminGeorgia, Top Posts, Vegetables

Georgia vegetable growers have made their voices known: The Georgia Vegetable Commission marketing order has been extended for an additional three years. Producers overwhelmingly voted to extend the assessment of one cent per marketing unit by producers with more than 50 acres crops that include green beans, bell pepper, specialty pepper, carrots, broccoli, beets, eggplant, cabbage, sweet potatoes, cantaloupes, cucumbers, …

Wacky Weather: Alabama Planting Season Nears Amid Excessive Rainfall, Drought

Web AdminAlabama, Top Posts, Vegetables, Weather

Planting season nears for Alabama vegetable producers. Once again, weather will play a key role as farmers prepare to plant this spring’s crops. Joe Kemble, Alabama Extension vegetable specialist, implores producers to wait until soil temperatures increase above a certain level and stay that way for several days straight. That will be a better environment for seed to germinate and …

What’s Next? Georgia Producer Concerned About Future of American Farmer

Web AdminFlorida, Georgia, Top Posts, Vegetables

Georgia vegetable producer Sam Watson may not be a blueberry farmer, but he had a vested interest in the International Trade Commission’s recent decision regarding the impact of blueberry imports. Watson, like his farming brethren, was disappointed that the ITC did not find that imports do have a significant injury to the domestic industry. “It’s just really frustrating and disheartening. …

Looming Deadline: GFVGA Survey Due Friday

Web AdminFruit, Georgia, Top Posts, Vegetables

The Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA) wants Ag workers protected during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. As vaccinations continue to be administered across the country, the GFVGA is emphasizing the importance of essential Ag workers. This includes family, full-time employees and seasonal employees comprised of domestic, migrant and H-2A employees. GFVGA is administering a survey that will help inform …

Seed Facility: Bayer Opens Distribution Center in South Georgia

Web AdminFruit, Georgia, Top Posts, Vegetables

A new fruit and vegetable seed distribution center will provide seed to Southeast produce farmers in a timely and efficient fashion. Bayer Vegetable Seeds announced the opening of its new distribution center in Valdosta, Georgia, located about 10 minutes from the Georgia-Florida state line. It will provide access to its Seminis branded large seed portfolio. Currently, the distribution center is …

Essential Workers: Response Requested for Survey

Web AdminCoronavirus, Fruit, Georgia, Top Posts, Vegetables

The Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA) is actively working to be the voice of Georgia’s produce industry. Agricultural workers are essential. The Georgia Department of Public Health is working to create a plan to get your agricultural workers vaccinated. The GFVGA wants COVID-19 vaccines available to them at the earliest possible date and needs your help. Most of …

Decreased Results: Vegetable Production Down Slightly in 2020

Web AdminFlorida, Georgia, Top Posts, Vegetables

According to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, vegetable production throughout the country decreased in 2020 from 2019. Production for the 26 estimated vegetable and melon crops totaled 720 million cwt, down slightly from 2019. Area harvested last year was 2.33 million acres, down 1% from 2019. The top three vegetables, relating to harvested areas, were sweet corn, tomatoes and …