(TALLAHASSEE/NSF) — Florida citrus growers recorded a very slight bump in orange production in the final count of the growing season, but the industry still experienced one of its most-devastating seasons in eight decades. The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Tuesday, in a final report for the 2021-2022 season, said growers produced 40.95 million boxes of oranges, the lowest amount …
Citrus Canker Detected in Georgia
(Atlanta, GA/GDA/June 14, 2022) — The Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) is alerting commercial and backyard citrus growers that citrus canker has been found in the state. Late last week, the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Plant Protection and Quarantine (USDA APHIS PPQ) laboratory confirmed a suspected sample from a commercial citrus grove in Decatur County was citrus canker. “Citrus canker is …
Seminar Topics at Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo
The 2022 Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo just a couple of months away, as it will be held August 17-18 at the Lee County Civic Center in North Fort Myers and there will be various seminar topics at this year’s event that you won’t want to miss. Topics of interest to all growers will be highlighted the first morning of the Expo, …
Seeking Agricultural-Environmental Leadership Award Nominations
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) has opened the nomination period for the 2022 Agricultural-Environmental Leadership Award. Nominations must be submitted to FDACS by April 15, 2022. Get the nomination form here. “Through work in soil and conservation, pesticide and nutrient management, wildlife habitat conservation, and so much more … significant environmental contributions are the backbone of Florida’s thriving agriculture …
Thank a Farmer for Food, Fiber, Fuel, and Our Future
By Deborah Tannenbaum, State Executive Director for USDA’s Farm Service Agency; Juan Hernandez, State Conservationist for USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service; and Davina Lee, Regional Office Director for USDA’s Risk Management Agency March 22 is National Ag Day, a time for us to thank farmers and ranchers for feeding, sheltering and powering our nation. We also want to celebrate and …
Plant Materials Center Provides Diverse Climate Plant Solutions
The center providing plant solutions in a diverse climate. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The Lockeford Plant Materials Center is a 106-acre facility located in the Central Valley of California. It’s about an hour southeast of the state’s capitol, Sacramento, and is the only plant materials in the state. The center provides plant solutions for the diverse …
A Methodical and Safe Approach to Help Florida Citrus
Florida’s farmers depend on healthy soil and clean water to produce crops. It’s how my family has grown citrus, strawberries and cattle for more than four generations. The quality of our natural resources has a direct impact on our crops and livelihood. I am a fifth-generation Floridian who was raised by a line of farmers, ranchers and businesspeople. All of …
Agricultural Associations Seek to Block Chlorpyrifos Ban
Several agricultural associations filed suit in federal court Feb. 10 seeking to block the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from prohibiting the use of the pesticide chlorpyrifos on food crops beginning Feb. 28. The Georgia Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association is among those seeking the action. According to the American Soybean Association, which is one of those suing, the agricultural associations …
Florida OJ Videos Play in Airports
The Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) showed its “The Original Wellness Drink” videos about Florida orange juice (OJ) within major airports during the holiday season. These 15- and 30-second videos played throughout multiple markets via airports in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, New York, Orlando, Tampa/Sarasota and Washington, D.C. The ads ran from Thanksgiving week through New Year’s Eve, targeting at least six …
Update for Producers Impacted by Freezing Temperatures Provided by Florida Ag Commissioner
Emergency Order Issued as Assessments Continue (Tallahassee, FL/February 4, 2022/FDACS) — The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) had staff in the fields as producers continue to assess damages caused by recent freezing temperatures and work to salvage impacted produce. On Thursday, the Florida Department of Transportation issued an emergency order helping farmers impacted by freezing temperatures to move as …