USDA Warns Dangerous Pests are Emerging, Adds Cherry Fruit Fly to Alert List

Dan Environment, Fruits, Industry News Release, Specialty Crops

April is “Invasive Plant Pest and Disease Awareness Month” It’s spring, which means many invasive Hungry Pests are emerging and will soon begin feeding on trees, plants and crops. These destructive species – which include the emerald ash borer, gypsy moth and citrus greening disease – cost the nation $40 billion each year in damages and expensive eradication and control …

Agri View: Spotted Lanternfly- A New Insect to Fear

Dan Agri View, Citrus, Field Crops, Fruits, Nursery Crops, Specialty Crops

Everett Griner talks about the Spotted Lanternfly. A new insect everyone should fear in today’s Agri View. Spotted Lanternfly- A New Insect to Fear Well, we have enough bugs and insects for farmers to deal with already. But, believe me, there will be more. Right now the public is being alerted to be aware of the Spotted Lantern Fly. It …

UF/IFAS Researcher Hopes to Breed, Grow Nutritious Pumpkins in Florida

Dan Florida, Fruits, Research, Specialty Crops

Pumpkins and their seeds are good for you. For example, the flesh of the fruit is a good source of many vitamins and fiber, and its seeds provide unsaturated fats that help reduce cholesterol, among their other health benefits. The pumpkin’s nutrient values are driving Geoffrey Meru, a fruit and vegetable geneticist at the University of Florida Institute of Food …

National Strawberry Day brings attention to UF/IFAS varieties

Dan Fruits, Industry News Release, Specialty Crops

Vance Whitaker toils day and night to develop the tastiest, best-looking, aromatic strawberries a consumer would want. Yummy enough for a nutritious snack or to help flavor a cake or pie just in time for National Strawberry Day on Feb. 27. Whitaker, an associate professor of horticultural sciences at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, leads …

Agri View: Florida Peaches

Dan Agri View, Fruits

Everett Griner talks about Florida Peaches, possible a new crop for Florida, in today’s Agri View. Florida Peaches I recently did an article about Georgia farmers growing citrus fruit. Well, now I have a feature story about growing peaches in Florida. The stories are very similar. The practice is very limited at this time. But, it is fairly certain that …

Agri View: Healthy Eating

Dan Agri View, Fruits, Vegetables

Everett Griner talks about healthy eating, something few Americans properly do, in today’s Agri View. Healthy Eating OK, how much fruit and vegetables do you eat eat each day? Not enough? Well, the Center for Disease Control recently did a very new study. Based on what they found out the vast majority of Americans fall way short of the recommended …

Georgia Blueberry Growers to Vote on Continuation of Assessment for Market Order

Dan Fruits, Georgia, Industry News Release, Specialty Crops

Starting March 1, Georgia blueberry growers will have the opportunity to vote on renewing the grower assessment, which funds the Georgia Agriculture Commodity Commission for Blueberries. The Commission is charged by law with providing programs of research, promotion and education on behalf of Georgia blueberry growers. Most of the funds received by the Georgia Agriculture Commodity Commission for Blueberries are …

Agri View: Banner Pecan Nut Year

Dan Agri View, Fruits

Everett Griner talks about Whole pecan nut industry growing in today’s Agri View. Banner Pecan Nut Year Now, Georgia’s 2017 pecan crop was almost a record breaker until that destructive Hurricane Irma tore through. Things were not that bad in the western states. Arizona, New Mexico and West Texas. They had a very productive season. But, this report is about …