AFVGA Tour Visits Sites in Georgia, Florida

Web Admin Alabama, Fruit, Leafy Vegetables, Vegetables

By Clint Thompson The Alabama Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (AFVGA) toured farming operations in Georgia and Florida last week. It allowed its attendees, young and experienced, to build camaraderie while learning from fellow growers in the Southeast. Blake Thaxton, executive director of the AFVGA, discussed the importance of the week-long tour, which included stops at Lewis Taylor Farms, a …

Registration Open for Florida Lettuce Advisory Committee Meeting

Web Admin Events, Florida, Leafy Vegetables

Registration remains open for the in-person Lettuce Advisory Committee meeting, scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 31, from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Everglades Research and Education Center in Belle Glade, Florida. The scheduled topics include discussions on the lettuce mosaic virus, a coordinated disaster damage assessment and FSMA (Food …

Growing Lettuce in Non-Traditional Areas of Florida

Web Admin Florida, Leafy Vegetables

Each year, U.S. farmers produce enough lettuce to feed everyone in the country. Up to 73% of U.S. lettuce comes from California producers and is distributed nationwide through extensive retail chains. Lettuce grown in Florida accounts for 3% of the national total and has a unique market window during the winter months. Traditionally, Florida lettuce has been grown between October …

Downy Mildew Discovered in Florida Lettuce

Web Admin Leafy Vegetables

Lettuce downy mildew disease has been discovered for the first time this season in the Everglades Agricultural Area by Glades Crop Care scouts. As environmental conditions are favorable for the disease’s development, fungicide applications should begin at about the 1- or 2-leaf stage and continue through the crop’s lifespan. Applications must be made prior to infection if adequate control is …

Fusarium Wilt Prevention in Florida Lettuce

Web Admin Leafy Vegetables

By Clint Thompson Fusarium wilt in lettuce is not yet a widespread problem for Florida producers. German Sandoya wants to keep it that way. Sandoya, assistant professor in the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, provides management options for growers to help keep the disease out of their fields. “We’ve only seen it in field plots, so …

UF/IFAS Extension to Host Vegetable Growers Meeting

Web Admin Leafy Vegetables, Specialty Crops, Vegetables

South Florida vegetable growers should mark their calendars for Monday, July 11, as the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension will host a virtual meeting on fumigants and systemics. The vegetable growers meeting will be held from noon to 2 p.m. and includes presentations from various UF/IFAS specialists. Josh Freeman will discuss a systems approach …

Biopesticides (Seem to) Perform Poorly Against Black Spot on Kale

Web Admin Disease, Leafy Vegetables, South Carolina

From Clemson Plant Pathologist Tony Keinath in The South Carolina Grower . As part of a U.S. Department of Agriculture Organic Transitions Program grant, we tested 10 biopesticides on organic kale ‘Oldenbor’ to determine if any product controlled Alternaria leaf spot, a.k.a. black spot on kale. None look promising. No biopesticides reduced black spot on kale compared to the non-treated …

Register for Upcoming Florida Brassica Production Workshop

Web Admin Leafy Vegetables, Research

Attention Florida specialty crop producers: Save the date and register for an upcoming virtual Florida brassica production workshop. The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) will host the workshop on Tuesday, Aug. 23, from 9 a.m. to noon. The workshop will provide up-to-date information on Florida brassica production. Highlighted topics include weed management, nematode management, nutrient …

Crop Insurance Deadline Nears in Georgia for Cabbage Growers

Web Admin Agri-business, Leafy Vegetables, USDA

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) reminds Georgia cabbage growers that the final date to apply for crop insurance coverage for the 2023 crop year is July 1. Current policyholders who wish to make changes to their existing coverage also have until the July 1 sales closing date to do so. Federal crop insurance is critical to …

Florida First Detector Training

Web Admin Leafy Vegetables, Pests, Sugar

Registration is ongoing for a Florida First Detector training, scheduled for June 3 at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Everglades Research and Education Center. It will last from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The free Florida First Detector training will highlight identification and management for pests of concern that could impact sugarcane, rice and leafy …