Southeast

Florida to receive $25 million for local food programs

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Service has signed an almost $25 million cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to fund local food purchases. The $24.8 million agreement under the Local Food... more »

University of Florida hires expert to lead Invasion Science Research Institute

The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences has appointed internationally acclaimed entomologist and ecologist Matthew Thomas as director of the new Invasion Science Research Institute. In this newly created role, Thomas will... more »

Florida Specialty Crop Foundation presents ag labor forum

The Florida Specialty Crop Foundation is preparing for its annual Agricultural Labor Relations Forum, where growers, shippers, farm labor contractors and others learn about ag labor law compliance and labor relations practices. The forum is... more »

Florida convention registration to close early

The Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association is closing registration to its annual conference early because of a high number of people who have registered. The registration closes at 11:59 p.m. Eastern, Aug. 23. Registration fees... more »

UF receives proof that Blueberry Advisory System minimizes fruit rot

Anthracnose fruit rot plagues blueberries, especially in Florida. In fact, it’s among the fruit’s most damaging diseases. To manage the disease, farmers normally spray the crop with fungicides, but on a calendar basis – in... more »

UGA releases parasitic wasp to control SWD

In a quiet field of abandoned blueberries and shrubby brush in south Georgia, Cera Jones released hundreds of tiny parasitic wasps into the thicket and watched them fly away, following their natural instinct to search... more »

Fruit society honors Arkansas fruit breeder John Clark

Arkansas blackberry and fruit breeder John Clark has been honored for his breeding efforts. The American Pomological Society (APS) awarded Clark, distinguished professor of horticulture with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, the... more »

BioSafe adds Alabama, Florida rep

Agricultural biologicals supplier BioSafe Systems LLC added Grant Kees to its Horticulture Division. Kees, who possesses a background in greenhouse production management, sales and irrigation system development, will represent the East Hartford, Connecticut-based BioSafe to... more »