The 2016 Agricultural Chemical Use Survey collected data about pesticide use and pest management practices on acres planted to 28 different vegetable crops. NASS conducted the survey among producers in 19 states, focusing on the states that were major producers of the surveyed crops. (Fig. 1) In California, NASS collected data for 23 crops, the most number of crops selected …
Perdue Welcomes Specialty Crop Producers’ Ideas on NAFTA
Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue met with the Mexican secretary of agriculture last week, where discussions about various issues for producers in both countries took place. Of course, this is all leading up to talks concerning the North America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). During a teleconference, Perdue said he knows certain sectors of agriculture, like fruit and vegetable growers across the …
Margaritaville Lime Bags
A lime is a perfect fruit to have a slice of with a cool refreshing drink. Cathy Isom tells us about the California company hoping to boost produce sales by the bagful.That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The next time you reach for the limes in the produce aisle, you might be surprised to find them bagged …
Agri View: Lemon Imports
Everett Griner talks about why the lemon producers wanting to stop imports in today’s Agri View. You know we grow a lot of fruit in this country. It is very likely more than anywhere else. One of the least common, and least talked about, is the lemon. It is not a fruit you eat a lot. It is …
NAFTA is a Problem for U.S. Specialty Crop Industry
The House Agriculture Committee held a hearing Wednesday to highlight opportunities for agriculture in the upcoming renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Chairman Michael Conaway and members of the committee heard from various stakeholder groups on opportunities to achieve the best deal possible for American agriculture. One of those providing testimony was Executive Vice President of the …
FFVA Announces Class 7 of Emerging Leader Development Program
The Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association (FFVA) has selected 10 up-and-coming agriculture industry leaders to participate in its Emerging Leader Development Program for the coming year. The 2017-2018 Class 7 members are Myles Basore, TKM Bengard; Maria Cavazos, R.C. Hatton; Catherine Cellon, Duda Farm Fresh Foods; Philip Grigsby, Premier Ag Finance; Brent Johnson, DuPont; Frankie Montalvo, Glades Formulating Corp.; Justin …
Tropical Fruit Contest ‘Share Mango Love’
Cathy Isom tells us all about the tropical fruit getting a lot of attention this summer. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. What is your favorite way to eat or enjoy a Mango? In a smoothie? Diced and tossed in a salad? In Salsa? Or eaten whole? Well, you could be seeing Mangos popping up everywhere this …
Agri View: Winter Storm Losses
Everett Griner talks about losses suffered by producers during the last winter storm in today’s Agri View. Let me see if I can put this in more realistic terms for you to understand. Say you make so much money per month. You work 12 months. You add up your total salary for the year. Not bad! But …
FDA Grants to Help States Comply with FSMA Produce Rule
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is issuing $30.9 million in funding to support 43 states in their continued efforts to help implement the Food Safety Modernization Act’s (FSMA) produce safety rule. The funds represent the largest total of grants made available by the FDA to support compliance with the rule, which seeks to update and strengthen the FDA’s …
Researchers Hope to Help Find Sites to Grow Tomorrow’s Produce
by Brad Buck, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences University of Florida researchers are sounding a warning bell that fresh produce may be hard to come by in the future. Scientists with the UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences cite changes in our climate, loss of fresh water and competition for resources as major threats to farmers’ …