Ask the Expert: A Hemp Q&A

Dan Hemp, Industry News Release

(USDA) — Ask the Expert is a new series launching on farmers.gov. In this Ask the Expert, Andrew Kowalski answers a few questions about how farmers can use the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Multi-Peril Crop Insurance (MPCI) hemp pilot program to insure their hemp crop. Kowalski is a risk management specialist with the Risk Management Agency (RMA) based in …

Mother Nature Impacting Blueberry Production

Clint Thompson Fruits, Georgia

By Clint Thompson Weather has already played a factor in this year’s blueberry crop production in the Southeast. Farmers need to be wary of potential disease pressure following last week’s excessive rainfall, according to Renee Holland, University of Georgia area Extension blueberry agent in Alma, Georgia. “Certain root-rot diseases, rain will actually help move pathogen spores around in the blueberry …

Common Mistakes for Growing Tomatoes in Containers

Dan This Land of Ours, Vegetables

Continuing her series, Cathy Isom reviews some common mistakes for growing tomatoes in containers. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours.  Growing tomatoes in containers can be incredibly rewarding or flat-out disastrous.  However, there are some common mistakes that, if they can be avoided, will vastly increase your chances of successfully growing tomatoes in containers. Such as the size …

Hemp Legislation Passes in Georgia House

Clint Thompson Georgia, Hemp

Week eight of the 2020 session for the Georgia General Assembly saw more talk about the Right to Farm Bill (HB 545), but there was also action concerning hemp legislation, and it has been another topic that many have been following. Georgia Agribusiness Council (GAC) President Will Bentley has an update on both of those issues, along with looking at …

Alabama Message to Potential Hemp Growers: Know What You’re Getting Into

Clint Thompson Alabama, Hemp

By Clint Thompson Auburn University Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist Katelyn Kesheimer has a message for all farmers interested in growing hemp this year: Know what you’re getting into. During this year’s hemp meetings, which continue in March throughout Alabama, Kesheimer and other specialists are discussing economics, insects, weeds and diseases that are associated with hemp production.  “We’re very clear …

Hemp Growers Get Good News

Dan Hemp, Industry News Release

(NAFB) — The Drug Enforcement Agency says it won’t require all labs testing the THC levels of U.S. hemp to be certified by the agency during the 2020 crop year. Politico says that offers producers a little more flexibility because it will alleviate potential bottlenecks at the more limited number of labs that have the certification. Greg Ibach, the Undersecretary …

Pate Discusses Hemp Program in Alabama

Clint Thompson Alabama, Hemp

Last fall, the Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries (ADAI) accepted hemp applications from eligible growers, processors/handlers and universities in preparation for the second year of the program. Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture, Rick Pate, told Southeast AgNet’s Randall Weiseman that last year’s roll-out of the hemp program was real successful and the number of applications for this year have quadrupled. …