We thank Gene McAvoy,County Extension Director, UF/IFAS Hendry County Extension, for helping us stay in the loop on weather in his part of the region of South Florida. He forwards the following Urgent Weather Message to Southeast AgNet Friday afternoon from the National Weather Service. This is of concern to all areas of south Florida.
USDA Wx: Cold Canadian Air Wave Could Spell Trouble for FL Crops
Florida farmers, already exhausted from trying to protect crops from this week’s cold snap, will have an even colder wave to battle late this weekend. USDA’s Gary Crawford has this report.
Extent of Freeze Damage to Specialty Crops Not Yet Known
Growers and shippers are assessing the damages caused by the uncharacteristically freezing weather that struck our state early this week, but with more arctic temperatures forecasted to hit this weekend, the coldest nights are yet to come.
AGRItunity 2010 conference slated for Jan. 23
This info provided by Gary K. England, Sumter County, FL commercial horticulture agent AGRItunity 2010, a West Central Florida farming conference and trade show, will take place 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 23 at the Sumter County Fairgrounds near Webster. The conference’s keynote address features well-known local food advocate Sharon Yeago of the Farmers Market Coalition. She’ll …
FL Agriculture Girds As Temperatures Drop
From THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA – By MICHAEL PELTIER THE CAPITAL, TALLAHASSEE, Jan. 6, 2009…With temperatures again expected to dip into the 20s for extended periods Wednesday night and Thursday morning, growers across the state were working around the clock in efforts to minimize the effect on Florida’s $100 billion fruit and vegetable industry. With below freezing temperatures possible …
More Cold Air on the Way
As Florida growers have feverishly fought extremely low temps these past few days, USDA Meteorologist Brad Rippey warns that the worst may be yet to come.
FL Trucking Restrictions Eased to Expedite Transport of Crops
Late Tuesday Florida Governor Charlie Crist lifted the restrictions on truck weights in light of the deep freeze the state is experiencing right in the midst of winter fruit and vegetable harvests. The news release from the Florida Dept of Agriculture is below. For those transporting produce, a copy of the order and accompanying letter from DOT must be kept …
Hazardous Jobs
Farming is still one of the most hazardous jobs in the U.S. Everett Griner explains. Download Audio
Corn Socks
Farmers are providing more than just food these days and Everett Griner tells us of some that are helpful. Download Audio
USCC to Hold Composting Workshop
The U.S. Composting Council annual Conference and Trade Show will be held in Orlando on January 24-27, 2010. And there will be a pre-conference workshop on January 24th on how to use compost.