New Tool to Navigate the H-2A Program

Web AdminLabor, Legislative, Top Posts, VSCNews magazine

Navigating the H-2A program can be confusing and cumbersome. But, thanks to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), growers applying to the program now have a new tool in the form of an interactive H-2A checklist. According to Kaveh Sadeghzadeh, deputy director of communications for USDA farm production and conservation, “The H-2A checklist tool is the first phase of an …

2019 Legislative Sessions Wrap-Up

Web AdminAlabama, Florida, Georgia, Legislative, Top Posts, VSCNews magazine

The 2019 legislative sessions in Florida, Georgia and Alabama have officially ended. Each year, agriculture advocates from all three states work tirelessly to fight for their industry. This article serves as a summary of how agriculture fared in the Florida, Georgia and Alabama sessions. Florida: Some Success, but More Work to Be Done By Adam Basford Going into the 2019 …

Providing Hemp Information

Web AdminAlabama, Florida, Georgia, Hemp, Top Posts

As hemp hype continues to grow, finding correct information about the crop can be a difficult task. In a recent interview, CEO of Green Point Research David Hasenauer discusses the nitty-gritty of growing hemp and hemp regulations with AgNewsWire’s Cindy Zimmerman. Listen to the full interview: Sponsored ContentTriEst Ag Group: Partners in ProfitabilityApril 1, 2024SECURE FUNDING NOW | USDA-Sponsored Farming …

New Watermelon Rootstock Proves Pest, Disease Resistant

Web AdminPests, Top Posts, Watermelon

By Karla Arboleda Southeastern watermelon growers have struggled with fusarium wilt and nematodes for decades. A new rootstock may be the light at the end of the tunnel. Carolina Strongback, a new watermelon rootstock, is resistant toward fusarium wilt and nematodes. Researchers developed the watermelon line at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and Clemson University. They …

Encouraging Plant Breeding Innovation

Web AdminResearch, Technology, Top Posts

Plant breeding tends to be a point of contention between the industry and urbanites. However, Andy LaVigne, president and CEO of the American Seed Trade Association, believes all crops begin at plant breeding. “We look at plant breeding as the base of agriculture,” says LaVigne. LaVigne believes innovation in plant breeding has helped the industry understand why a plant does …

hemp

Alabama Growers Given Green Light on Hemp

Web AdminAlabama, Hemp, Top Posts

Growers in Alabama are now able to plant hemp seeds and be among the first in the Southeast to be a part of this budding industry. AgNet Media’s Randall Weiseman recently spoke with Hassey Brooks, the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries’ deputy commissioner, about the new Alabama hemp pilot program. According to Brooks, the department allowed growers to begin …

Agriculture Advancements Get Boost from Technology Advocate

Web AdminAgri-business, Technology, Top Posts

By Karla Arboleda Nikolas Badminton says he has spent his career helping the world move forward by adopting technology. As CEO of Exponential Minds, a company that helps people invest in advanced technologies, Badminton sees plenty of opportunity to work with growers. “We’ve got more data than we’ve ever had before,” he says. Badminton summarizes information he presented at the …

Managing Southern Blight in the Southeast

Web AdminResearch, Top Posts, VSCNews magazine

By Gary Vallad Southern blight is a severe disease of vegetables that favors warm and wet weather common to production in the Southeast. The disease is caused by the soilborne fungus Athelia rolfsii (synonymous with Sclerotium rolfsii), which has a broad host range of over 1,200 plants. Since the phaseout of methyl bromide, outbreaks of southern blight have increased on …

How to Deal with Blueberries in Summer

Web AdminBerries, Pests, Research, Top Posts

By Karla Arboleda Summer weather is in full swing in affecting Florida crops, and blueberries are no exception. During the summer, algal stem blotch can dominate blueberry fields if not handled quickly and properly. Doug Phillips, blueberry Extension coordinator for the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, explains the important steps to take. “In the summer when …

Florida Meetings Increase Hemp Hype

Web AdminHemp, Legislative, Top Posts

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) recently held a series of workshops on the status of an industrial hemp industry in Florida. Since the passage of the 2018 farm bill, growers throughout the state have been wondering how and when they can begin producing the crop. The question-and-answer meetings were designed to address uncertainties and introduce a …