USDA Encourages Ag Producers, Residents to Prepare for Hurricane Dorian

WASHINGTON (USDA) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reminds communities, farmers and ranchers, families and small businesses in the path of Hurricane Dorian that USDA has programs that provide assistance in the wake of disasters. USDA staff in regional, state and county offices stand ready and are eager to help. In a continuing effort to serve the public, USDA partnered with …

Millions in Agricultural Crops at Risk as Dorian Approaches Florida

GAINESVILLE, FL (UF/IFAS) — If Hurricane Dorian makes landfall mid-way up Florida’s Atlantic Coast – as many models predicted Thursday afternoon – the storm could devastate not only Central Florida tourist destinations, but also the region’s agricultural areas, which include significant acreage devoted to citrus, vegetable, ornamental plant and cattle production. Economists and Extension faculty with the University of Florida …

Ways to Keep Chickens Out of Your Garden

If you are having a problem with your fowl fouling up your garden, Cathy Isom has some ways to keep your chickens out of your garden.  That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Chickens love gardens for 3 main reasons:  bugs, plants, and dirt. But if you’re wanting to keep your chicks from feasting on your harvest here a …

Growing Big, Red, Juicy, Beefsteak Tomatoes

In today’s program, Cathy Isom tells a bit about growing your own beefsteak tomatoes. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Beefsteaks are the biggest type of tomato, with fruit often weighing over a pound. These big, red, juicy, tomatoes have thick, plump flesh that’s nothing short of a taste sensation. The large, meaty fruit of the beefsteak tomato …

Perdue Comments on New Draft Suspension Agreement on Fresh Tomatoes from Mexico

Washington, D.C. (USDA) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue issued the following statement after U.S. Department of Commerce announced a new Draft Suspension Agreement on Fresh Tomatoes from Mexico: “I want to thank my colleagues at the U.S. Department of Commerce for working diligently to reach a mutually beneficial agreement for tomato growers in both the U.S. and Mexico. …

U.S. Department of Commerce Announces a New Draft Suspension Agreement on Fresh Tomatoes from Mexico

WASHINGTON, D.C. (USDOC) —The U.S. Department of Commerce initialed a draft agreement with Mexican tomato growers to suspend the ongoing antidumping (AD) investigation of fresh tomatoes from Mexico, ensuring that the domestic tomato industry will be protected from unfair trade. “For many years, there have been disputes over the roughly $2 billion worth of tomatoes that are imported from Mexico …

UF/IFAS Researchers Close in on a Tastier Tomato

GAINESVILLE, FL (UF/IFAS) — In their quest for a tastier tomato, University of Florida scientists are finding traits they believe will tempt consumers with flavor that triggers their senses even more. They’re making significant progress on improving the UF-developed Tasti-Lee™ tomato – and it will feature improved flavor and aroma. “Modern tomato cultivars typically have poor flavor as compared to …

Final Chance to Preregister for Expo

All citrus and vegetable & specialty crop growers are being reminded Friday, August 9th is the deadline to preregister for the 2019 Citrus Expo and Vegetable & Specialty Crop Expo. This year’s event will take place August 14-15 at the Lee Civic Center in North Fort Myers, Florida. All preregistered growers will be eligible for a chance to win a …