AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala. (ACES) – Summertime can be a productive season for growing vegetables. However, it is also a time that can be hot and dry. These are the perfect conditions for spider mites, a pest that can cause widespread damage quickly. When present in high numbers, they can be pests for many aspects of farming There are many species …
Novel Watermelon Rootstock Knocks Out Disease and Pests
CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA (USDA/ARS) — A new watermelon line, developed by Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and Clemson University scientists, gets to the root of the problem of a major disease and pest of watermelon crops in the southern United States. Carolina Strongback is a rootstock watermelon that is resistant to Fusarium wilt and the southern root-knot nematode, according to William “Pat” …
Right Fertilizer for the Ultimate Tomato Harvest
Cathy Isom lets you know about the different types, as well as what is needed for the right fertilizer for the ultimate tomato harvest. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Like all plants, tomatoes require three main macronutrients: nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. For all plant life, nitrogen allows for thick, full leaf growth. Phosphorus is required for blossom, …
Final Hemp Rulemaking Workshop Held in North Florida
Tallahassee, Fla. (FDACS) – Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried joined key Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services officials to host the third public hemp rulemaking workshop at the R.A. Gray Building in Tallahassee. Today’s workshop was the third and final in a series of three events which took place in South, Central, and North Florida designed to ensure anyone interested in …
State Officials Prepare for Hemp Industry
With Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis facing a deadline this week to act on the hemp bill, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services held a final public workshop Monday as it prepares to carry out a measure that would lead to a state hemp program. The bill (SB 1020) would require the department to create a regulatory framework to …
Second Hemp Rulemaking Workshop Held in Central Florida
Tampa, Fla. (FDACS) — Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried joined key Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services officials to host the second public hemp rulemaking workshop at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa. “The goal of these workshops is to hear from the public on the coming state hemp program — to create a successful and inclusive program, it’s essential …
Commissioner Fried Hosts First Hemp Rulemaking Workshop in South Florida
Pembroke Pines, Fla. (FDACS) –Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried joined key Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) officials to host the first public hemp rulemaking workshop at Broward College in Pembroke Pines. “The upcoming state hemp program marks a new industrial revolution — after eighty years of stalled progress, we can finally put hemp to work for farmers, entrepreneurs, …
Vital Vibrant Vidalia Uses
Vidalia onions are unique premium sweet onions that have many uses. Gary Crawford has a report explaining this and a unique way to store them. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Industry Supports Administration of Florida Cattle Enhancement BoardJanuary 9, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Significant Support For ResearchDecember 19, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Considers Efforts Important to Cattle Producers in FloridaDecember 12, …
USDA Moves Cover Crop Harvest Date for Prevented-Planting Fields
Farmers who planted cover crops on prevented-planting acres can hay, graze or chop those fields earlier than November this year. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Risk Management Agency (RMA) adjusted the 2019 final haying and grazing date from Nov. 1 to Sept. 1 to help farmers who were prevented from planting because of excess rainfall this spring. RMA says …
How to Harvest and Store Homegrown Figs
Cathy Isom continues her series on figs by giving you her easy steps in how to harvest, and store, your homegrown figs. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Figs are easy-going until harvest time. They can become a finicky crop when it comes to proper harvesting times, techniques, and storage. Make sure to follow these steps to ensure …