Tomato Plant Disease that Can Stick Around for Years

Dan Fruits, Specialty Crops, This Land of Ours, Vegetables

A tomato plant disease that has the capability of sticking around for years. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Early blight is caused by the soil-borne pathogen Alternaria solani, and this fungus can stick around for years because it overwinters in the soil, even in cold climates. Most early blight cases won’t kill your plants, but it causes bulls-eye-shaped …

Most Destructive and Deadly Tomato Diseases Not Very Common

Dan Fruits, Specialty Crops, This Land of Ours, Vegetables

One of the most destructive and deadly tomato diseases gardeners face that is not very common.  That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Without a doubt, late blight strikes fear in the heart of all gardeners. It’s one of the most destructive and deadly tomato diseases you could face, but it’s not that common, especially for northern gardeners. It …

Innovative Approaches to High Tunnel Systems in Florida

Dan Florida, Nursery Crops, Organic, Specialty Crops, USDA-NRCS

USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida will invest $300,000 for Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) for high tunnel systems that improve weather resiliency and improve degraded plant conditions. Grants from $5,000 to $75,000 will be awarded to applicants matching those funds on a dollar-for-dollar basis from non-federal sources that can include cash or in-kind contributions. U.S.-based non-federal entities and individuals are eligible to apply …

Florida Right to Farm Bill Awaits Governor’s Signature

Dan Cattle, Citrus, Field Crops, Florida, Fruits, Hemp, Herbs, Legislative, Livestock, Nursery Crops, Organic, Pecans, Pollinators, Specialty Crops, Sugar, Vegetables

Just hours after the Florida House gave final approval Thursday, a bill that would expand legal protections for farmers was sent to Gov. Ron DeSantis. According to the News Service of Florida, the House voted 110-7 to support expanding the state’s “Right to Farm” law, a top priority of Senate President Wilton Simpson, R-Trilby. The Senate passed the bill (SB …

Fertilizer Costs Shape Crop Production Expenses

Dan Economy, Field Crops, Fruits, Herbs, Nursery Crops, Organic, Specialty Crops, Vegetables

The Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service reports production costs for corn and other major commodities are shaped by fertilizer cost. From 2010 to 2019, fertilizer was a major expense in U.S. corn production, accounting for 33 to 44 percent of operating costs-a category that includes other variable expenses like seed, chemicals, fuel, and repairs. Fertilizer also comprised 16 to …