ATHENS, GA – During the last week of September, pecan growers will receive a survey from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). Information generated from this survey will be used to forecast pecan production for 2022. “The pecan industry is an important part of U.S. agriculture, especially in southern states and it is crucial for us …
Organophosphate Insecticides Ban? Comment Period to EPA is Sept. 25
By Clint Thompson Specialty crop producers are reminded that Sunday, Sept. 25 is the deadline to submit a comment to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) about the ramifications of the potential cancellation of multiple organophosphate pesticides. Growers would lose the last broad spectrum soil insecticide in vegetables in diazinon if the cancellation goes through. It would also impact different areas …
AFBF Applauds Climate-Smart Projects Announced by USDA
By Clint Thompson Count the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) as one organization applauding the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for investing nearly $3 billion in selected projects under the Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities program. “Secretary (Tom) Vilsack announced $2.8 billion in funding to help develop 70 projects that will advance climate smart agriculture practices,” said AFBF president Zippy Duvall. …
Succeeding at Retail Sales
By Tiffany Bailey There are many benefits to selling organics to retail customers. First of all, when growers are selling retail, they are cutting out parties from the middle that normally exist between a grower and a customer. This provides the grower with the highest possible financial benefits. Also, growers are able to interact directly with customers. This provides the …
September Webinar: Tips for Beginning Farmers and Farm Seekers
North Carolina FarmLink and the Organic Growers School will host a free webinar on Tuesday, Sept. 20 at 2 p.m. to discuss helpful tips for beginning farmers and farm seekers. Attendees will learn about the Farm Triangle and the Dunning-Kruger Effect and some upcoming beginning farmer training opportunities, including the Organic Growers School Journeyperson Farmer Program. Those interested can sign …
Millennium Block Citrus Variety Trial Field Day Set for October
The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Indian River Research and Education Center (IRREC) will host a Millennium Block Variety Trial Field Day on Oct. 19. The event will be held from 9 a.m. to noon. The Millennium Block is at 7850 Pruitt Research Road in Fort Pierce. Registration can be completed online here or by calling Tom …
Expo Tackles Trucking and New BMPs
By Frank Giles The 2022 Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo was held last month in North Fort Myers. Growers from across Florida and beyond gathered for the event that was packed with educational programming and a trade show floor full of exhibitors eager to display their products and services. This year’s general educational session focused on some of the bigger …
Pierce’s Disease Problem for Some Grape Producers
By Clint Thompson Diseases were minimal for grape producers in the Southeast this year, but Pierce’s disease was one that caused problems in some vineyards. University of Georgia Cooperative Extension fruit disease specialist Phil Brannen discussed how widespread the disease has been this year and what growers can do to manage it. “There’s a good bit of Pierce’s disease showing …
USTR Commits to Working Toward ‘Positive Outcome’ for Georgia’s Pecan Growers
U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA), chair of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Commodities, Risk Management, and Trade, received a positive response from U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), Ambassador Katharine Tai, following his recent bipartisan push to the Biden Administration to work to create more favorable trade conditions for Georgia pecan growers and shellers in international markets. In her recent letter to Senator Warnock and the bipartisan …
US Drought Monitor: Minimal Dry Conditions Across Southeast
Thursday’s release of the U.S. Drought Monitor showed minimal drought conditions throughout the Southeast, especially in Georgia and Alabama. Georgia has sufficient moisture with no dry conditions. Alabama’s abnormally dry conditions were restricted to the northwest part of the state including Lauderdale, Colbert, Limestone, Madison, Franklin, Lawrence and Winston counties. Florida’s abnormally dry conditions are isolated to the southeastern part …