By Maegan Beatty Cold-hardy citrus is grown across a few thousand acres in more than 16 counties in North Florida and South Georgia. The satsuma mandarin is a cold-hardy species that has been grown throughout North Florida since the 1800s. The fruit is typically medium sized, a reddish orange color and can produce the highest quality in cooler winters and …
Elderberry Grows in Popularity Due to Health Benefits
By Maegan Beatty Elderberry (Sambucus spp.) is a fruit crop that is suitable for both commercial and home growing. In April, the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) hosted an orchard field day, where Dave Jarnagin of Hyldemoer and Company gave an educational presentation on the elderberry and elderflower. Elderberries are native to North America but …
Still Dry: Lack of Rain in Areas Across Southeast
Rainfall continues to impact parts of the Southeast, though much of the region is still observing dry conditions. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, much of the west coast of Florida is either extremely dry or severely dry. These include Levy, Citrus, Hernando, Sumter, Pasco, Pinellas, Hillsborough, Polk, Manatee, Hardee, Sarasota, Desoto and Charlotte counties. Most of the central part …
North Florida Watermelon Growers Take Advantage of Early Plantings
By Clint Thompson North Florida watermelon growers hoping to take advantage of an early harvest by planting this year’s crop in late February are enjoying the fruits of their labor. Harvests are well under way across the Suwanee Valley Region. Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, …
USDA Provides Funding for Organic Growers
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced additional steps being taken to strengthen the market for domestically grown organic goods, and to support producers seeking organic certification. These funding opportunities are part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Organic Transition Initiative. The initiative is a suite of offerings to help existing organic producers and those transitioning to organic production and processing. “We …
Elderberry Grows in Popularity Due to Health Benefits
By Maegan Beatty Elderberry (Sambucus spp.) is a fruit crop that is suitable for both commercial and home growing. In April, the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) hosted an orchard field day, where Dave Jarnagin of Hyldemoer and Company gave an educational presentation on the elderberry and elderflower. Elderberries are native to North America but …
Everglades Ag Area Vital to America’s Food Security
By Frank Giles The region south of Lake Okeechobee, comprised largely of the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA), is one of the most unique farming landscapes on the planet. Its wide-open vistas can be seen from space, and the land’s dark, rich soils contribute to the production of a significant portion of America’s specialty crop supply. Over the years, farming expanded …
Cucurbit Downy Mildew Found in South Carolina
First it was Florida. Then Georgia. Now South Carolina. Downy mildew disease has moved its way up the Southeast region. According to the South Carolina Grower, cucurbit downy mildew was identified in South Carolina on May 12. The identification came from butternut squash grown in a sentinel plot at the Coastal Research and Education Center in Charleston, South Carolina. Vegetable …
Harvest Time: North Florida Watermelon Growers Take Advantage Following Early Plantings
By Clint Thompson North Florida watermelon growers hoping to take advantage of an early harvest by planting this year’s crop in late February are enjoying the fruits of their labor. Harvests are well under way across the Suwanee Valley Region. Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, …
Ambrosia Beetle Impact: Pecan Producers Beware
By Clint Thompson Pecan producers in the Southeast should be mindful that ambrosia beetles are currently active and pose a threat to younger tree orchards. University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension pecan specialist Lenny Wells cautioned growers about the beetles in the UGA Extension Pecan Blog. “They start emerging in that February-March timeframe, but they’re usually a problem for us …