Could Support Domestic Industry University of Florida scientists have sequenced the genome of Vanilla, which will help them select the best types for breeding new varieties of the popular plant to grow in Florida. Some consumers crave vanilla. The U.S. leads the world in imported vanilla beans, said Alan Chambers, an assistant professor of tropical fruit breeding and genetics at …
Tips for Growing the Brussel Sprout
Although it’s not the easiest plant to grow, but worth the effort, Cathy Isom has some tips for growing the brussel sprout. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The Brussel sprout plant may be a challenge to even the most-seasoned gardener, but it can be grown! It will require full sun, at least 6 hours per day. Start …
Study Reveals Pigs Can Transmit FMD Prior to Signs of Sickness
Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) virus spreads much more aggressively in pigs than previous research suggests, according to a new study by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) scientists. The study, recently published in Scientific Reports, shows that pigs infected with the FMD virus were highly contagious to other pigs just 24 hours after infection—long before showing any clinical signs of infection such as …
Celebrate March – National Peanut Month
The Georgia peanut industry joins together to celebrate National Peanut Month in March and donate peanut butter to the Atlanta Community Food Bank. March is National Peanut Month, a time to celebrate one of America’s favorite foods! The Georgia peanut industry kicked off the celebration by hosting the 2019 Georgia PB&J Day at the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta, Georgia. …
Florida, Georgia Square Off Again in Water War
Florida says the case is the “last, best hope” to save the Apalachicola River region from destruction. Georgia says Florida’s arguments threaten to cause hundreds of millions of dollars in “real harm” to the Peach State. Now, a federal appellate judge based in New Mexico will have to sort out the long-running battle between Florida and Georgia over water in …
Increase in Peanut Consumption
According to numbers given recently by the CEO of the National Peanut Board, per capita peanut consumption is up. Tyron Spearman has the details. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement Board Wraps up Funding YearJune 30, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Awarded Researcher Discusses New World Screwworm OverviewJune 19, 2026Verdant Robotics Offers Growers Targeted Application of Herbicides or Beneficials …
NRCS Providing Technical Assistance
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) principal agency for providing conservation technical assistance to private landowners, conservation districts, tribes, and other organizations. NRCS Chief, Matt Lohr, says technical assistance is free. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement Board Wraps up Funding YearJune 30, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Awarded Researcher Discusses New World …
Ag Organizations Endorse USMCA
The National Corn Growers Association, American Soybean Association, the National Association of Wheat Growers, and the National Sorghum Producers announced their collective support for the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement (USMCA). The announcement came as the organizations took part in the Commodity Classic, held in Orlando, Florida. The groups say Mexico and Canada account for 25 percent of all U.S. agriculture exports …
2019 Georgia Grown Executive Chefs Announced
Georgia Department of Agriculture Commissioner Gary W. Black and Georgia Restaurant Association (GRA) CEO Karen Bremer announced six new Georgia Grown Executive Chefs at the 2019 Taste of Georgia Legislative Reception. The Georgia Grown Executive Chef program is a statewide program designed to promote and foster relationships between chefs and farmers while spreading awareness about the quality of locally sourced and …
National Nutrition Month Advice: Eat More Fresh, Fewer Processed Foods
Nutrients from fresh foods give you “more bang for your nutritional buck,” says a registered dietitian with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. “For every calorie, there’s also going to be a lot of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients in that food that contribute to our health,” said Laura Acosta, also a lecturer in the UF/IFAS …