Southeast

UGA-Griffin breaks ground on site to showcase new irrigation technologies

Industry professionals, homeowners and researchers will soon be able to get a firsthand look at new irrigation technologies in action at a demonstration irrigation site being constructed on the University of Georgia’s Griffin campus. On March... more »

First case seen of harmful bacteria in ubiquitous weed throughout US

Scientists at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences have recorded the first North American case of a harmful phytoplasma disease known for its threat to fruit, vegetable and ornamental crops in... more »

DHS H-2A vaccine requirement extended

In January, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security implemented a rule requiring essential and non-essential non-citizen travelers entering the U.S. to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination. The regulation was set to expire this week, but on April... more »

Botryosphaeria stem blight of blueberry a concern in Southeast

Recently, the number of Botryosphaeria stem blight infected blueberry bushes is increasing in Alabama farms. Blueberry stem blight (Botryosphaeria dothidea) is a fungal disease known as the primary disease limiting establishment of blueberry plantings in the Southeast. Pathogen... more »

Disease resistant, size-controlling ‘MP-29’ rootstock for Alabama peaches viewed

A damaging soilborne fungus called Armillaria root rot and the peach tree short life disease complex are currently the leading causes of peach tree mortality in Alabama. These diseases result in annual losses for the... more »

Forced labor of Mexican agricultural H-2A workers brings charges

A woman in Florida pleaded guilty on April 6 to a federal racketeering conspiracy that victimized Mexican agricultural workers admitted into the United States under the H-2A temporary visa program. Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke... more »

Legislation targeted to protect growers impacted by freezes

U.S. Representatives Greg Steube, R-Fla., and Darren Soto, D-Fla., introduced April 11 The Temperature Endorsement for Multi-Peril Policies (TEMP) Act that would protect farmers impacted by crop-damaging freezes. Rep. Steube proposed this legislation for inclusion... more »

Alabama Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association Conference is Feb. 9-10, 2023

A fresh date for a familiar meeting will help Alabama specialty crop farmers grow new skills to better their farms. The Alabama Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association (AFVGA) Annual Conference and Trade Show, formerly held... more »