GFVGA Expresses Concerns, Goals During Recent Legislative Visit

Jim Rogers Uncategorized

By Clint Thompson The Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA) continues to prioritize its farmers and promote an even playing field when discussions center on trade. Its leadership recently visited with legislative leaders and those with a vested interest in the looming Farm Bill. Chris Butts, executive vice president of the GFVGA, discussed his organization’s trip to Washington D.C. …

Emphasis on Economics Aimed at Grower Profitability

Jim Rogers Uncategorized

By J. Scott Angle, jangle@ufl.edu, @IFAS_VP Eight new University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) economists focused on Florida agriculture will help growers get ahead of what happens in board rooms, government hearings and legislative debates. UF/IFAS provides you with the science to grow the world’s best fruits and vegetables and the knowledge to grow them profitably. …

red tomatoes fruits in close up photography

Tomato Prices Remain High Following Ian, Reduced Supply

Jim Rogers Uncategorized

By Clint Thompson Tomato prices remain high for those vegetable growers who actually have a crop. A lack of supply following Hurricane Ian has aided in prices exceeding $30 per box, according to Bob Spencer, president of West Coast Tomato in Palmetto, Florida. He said Florida production is half of what it should be. Growers are still a month away …

Second Peak of San Jose Scale Activity Expected

Jim Rogers Uncategorized

By Clint Thompson Peach producers should be wary of a second peak of San Jose scale crawler activity, according to Brett Blaauw, assistant professor at the University of Georgia (UGA) College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. “With the weather starting to come back to whatever normal is and cool down a little bit, I think that will allow the development …

commissioner

Commissioner Fried, FDACS Announce New Farmer Mental Health Initiative

Clint Thompson Florida, Top Posts, Uncategorized

Tallahassee, Fla. – Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried is announcing that the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) has been awarded a $500,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to carry out a new Farm Stress Awareness and Reduction Initiative in Florida. With this grant award, FDACS will launch an outreach campaign to help raise awareness about …

FFVA Honors FDACS Marketing Division

Clint Thompson Florida, Fruit, Top Posts, Uncategorized, Vegetables

Click here for a high-res photo MAITLAND, Fla. (Sept. 22, 2021) – The Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association (FFVA) honored the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) Division of Marketing and Development with its 2021 Friend of the Industry Award. The award was presented during FFVA’s 77th annual convention in Naples on Sept. 14. The award recognizes the …

Optimistic Outlook: Dantzler Still Confident Regarding HLB Disease

Clint Thompson Citrus, Disease, Florida, Top Posts, Uncategorized

Citrus Industry Citrus Research and Development Foundation (CRDF) Chief Operating Officer Rick Dantzler told a Citrus Expo crowd why he remains optimistic regarding HLB, amid negative industry trends. Dantzler declared, “I am more optimistic than ever. It is taking longer than I thought, but we are going to eradicate HLB or make it functionally irrelevant. That’s why I took this …

Production Update: High Yields, Low Prices for South Georgia Farmers

Clint Thompson Top Posts, Uncategorized

By Clint Thompson Crop yields have been high this year at Lewis Taylor Farms in Tifton, Georgia. If only market prices could have matched the production experienced in such crops as peppers, cucumbers and squash. “Prices are cheap. Mexico is sending product in here. It’s gotten prices depressed,” said Bill Brim, part owner of Lewis Taylor Farms. “Jumbo peppers are …