The U.S. Department of Commerce announced it intends to end the antidumping and countervailing duty suspension agreements in place with Mexico over what it calls that country’s unfair trading practices. The department will impose duties on Mexican sugar imports beginning on June 5, unless the two countries can come to an agreement. Phillip Hayes, a spokesman for the American Sugar …
Time to Celebrate a Year-Round, Healthy Snack – the Strawberry
by Brad Buck, University of Florida/IFAS May is National Strawberry Month, a time to reflect on the history of this sweet, nutrition-packed fruit that grows well in Florida – and to extol its health benefits. Strawberries originally grew in Europe. In France, people regarded them as the highest-quality aphrodisiac. People believed Alpine strawberries provided various medicinal benefits. While some used the leaves, …
Natural Makeup
Cathy Isom looks into the world of natural make-up. She gives you some foods that you can eat and also wear. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. For women wanting more natural ingredients in make-up, instead of all of those chemicals that are hard to pronounce, look no further than, say, the produce aisle or a local farmer’s …
Vending Machine Salads
Cathy’s intro: Turning a vending machine into a veggie machine. That’s coming up on “This Land of Ours.” A Chicago-based company is making sure more vending machines around the United States contain fresher, healthier snacking and meal options than just the usual snack chips and candy bars. Farmer’s Fridge sells salads out of vending machines, using locally grown and …
Georgia Freeze Damage Update from Commissioner Black
It was a month ago that Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black was able to survey the damage to fruit and vegetable crops from freezing temperatures that had hit the state. The South Georgia blueberry crop was the hardest hit, and it was estimated then that losses could be as much as 80 percent of expected production. Late last week, Black …
Agri View: Spring Crop Damage
Everett Griner talks about spring brings more bad weather, and damage, to the fruit crops in today’s Agri View. Spring is always a welcomed time of year for everybody. But the final days of winter were another costly period for farmers. Especially in the southeast. One of the coldest nights came on March 16th. Just a few days …
Certified Organic Operations Shows Continued Growth
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced new data indicating the organic industry continues to grow domestically and globally, with 24,650 certified organic operations in the United States, and 37,032 around the world. The 2016 count of U.S. certified organic farms and businesses reflects a 13 percent increase between the end of 2015 and 2016, continuing the trend of double …
Increased blueberry volumes from Naturipe
Ideal growing conditions are on the rise throughout the United States and Naturipe Farms has promotable blueberry volumes available which is meeting increased consumer consumption trends and offers promotion opportunities at retail. With earlier harvests this year, “We are now seeing optimal quality and production from Florida & Georgia,” says Mario Flores, Director of Blueberry Product Management. “Northern Florida and …
Applications Being Accepted for FFVA Leadership Program
Do you know an up-and-coming leader who wants to be more involved in the agriculture industry? He or she may be eligible for the Florida Fruit & Vegetable’s Emerging Leader Development Program. Launched in 2011, the program identifies and develops leaders to be strong advocates for Florida agriculture. The programming provides a wealth of information of the many issues facing …
Problem Expands for Avocado Growers
by Brad Buck, University of Florida,/IFAS 9 beetle species carry deadly fungus Many people love their avocados – not to mention guacamole dip. So it was bad enough when scientists said a beetle was ravaging avocado trees in South Florida. Then scientists found out that the redbay ambrosia beetle — originally determined to transmit laurel wilt — is rare in …