A prior issue of the Florida Citrus Mutual Triangle newsletter provided information about the new wage that growers must pay H-2A labor, effective Wednesday, Dec. 29. The H-2A program allows U.S. employers who meet specific regulatory requirements to bring foreign nationals to the United States to fill temporary agricultural jobs. The Employment and Training Administration (ETA) of the Department of …
How Florida Citrus Mutual Is Laying the Groundwork for Future Growth
Legendary basketball coach Phil Jackson could not have been more on point when he said, “The strength of the team is each individual member. The strength of each member is the team.” In the team that is the Florida citrus industry, we all have our positions to fill and roles to play. The growers continue to adapt and adopt new …
Recent Rains Alleviate Some Drought in Southeast Region
By Clint Thompson Recent rainfall helped alleviate much of the abnormally dry conditions being felt across the Southeast, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Georgia’s abnormally dry conditions are now mostly isolated to the northern part of the state, as far south as Heard County along the Georgia-Alabama line, across to Hart County along the Georgia-South Carolina line, and includes …
Cucurbit Downy Mildew: Disease Flares up in South Florida Area
Downy mildew disease remains a major problem for Florida’s cucurbit farmers, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. The disease has flared up drastically over the past couple of weeks in multiple cucumber fields. It is still active in squash and cucumbers in the southwest Florida area. Incidence and severity range from low to moderate. It is also …
ADAMA’s Cormoran® Effective Against Larval Stages of Insect Pests
By Clint Thompson One insecticide from ADAMA could be a secret weapon for Southeast producers hoping to reduce pest pressure in various specialty crops. Cormoran® attacks the larval stages of insect pests, which makes it a vital part of a grower’s insecticidal rotation, says Jorge Menocal, territory sales representative for ADAMA. “When you refer to specialty vegetables, it’s critical to …
Sneak Peek: January 2021 Specialty Crop Industry Magazine
By Clint Thompson A new year brings a new name to VSCNews Magazine. That’s right, the leader in specialty crop news will now be known as Specialty Crop Industry. The January issue of Specialty Crop Industry highlights the name change and what it means for its parent company, AgNet Media. The issue also focuses on blueberries and highlights different aspects …
Fertilization of Blueberries in Pine Bark Beds
By Doug Phillips and Jeffrey G. Williamson Blueberries have specific nutrient requirements that differ from other horticultural crops. They have shallow root systems and no root hairs, which limits the ability to take up nutrients. Blueberries grow best in acidic soils (ideal pH range of 4.5 to 5.5) with at least 3% organic matter and prefer the ammonium form of …
How Florida Citrus Mutual Is Laying the Groundwork for Future Growth
Revisions to the Citrus Code, as well as research and marketing funding endeavors, are key to keeping the sector in the game for generations to come.
South Carolina Agribusinesses Receive Business Training, Funding
COLUMBIA – The Agribusiness Center for Research and Entrepreneurship (ACRE), in partnership with Clemson Cooperative Extension, has closed its fourth annual Agribusiness Planning Curriculum. It awarded grant funding to seven emerging South Carolina agribusinesses. Participants learned about marketing, financial planning, legal requirements, state and federal grant opportunities, and skills to set their agribusinesses up for success. Sixteen entrepreneurs participated in …
Rubio, Warnock Introduce Bill to Bolster Local Agriculture, Expand Access to Florida-Grown Products on Military Bases
Washington, D.C. — Two U.S. senators recently introduced bipartisan legislation that would help local agriculture and expand access to locally-grown products on military bases. U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Raphael Warnock (D-GA) introduced the Farm to Base Food Security Act to help the federal government better understand the U.S. Department of Defense’s (DoD) food procurement policies and bolster relationships …