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Thompson Recognized by UGA Extension

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

One of AgNet Media’s award-winning journalists added another award to his collection earlier this month. Clint Thompson, a senior multimedia journalist who has worked with AgNet Media since 2020, was presented the Mass Media Award by the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension at its annual meeting of Georgia Association of County Agricultural Agents in Augusta, Georgia, on Nov. 14. “It …

AEWR Increases for Southeast Region

Clint ThompsonLabor

Florida’s new Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) for 2024 is expected to increase by 3% from $14.33 to $14.77, according to results from the most recent Farm Labor Survey that was released last week. As part of the Southeast that includes Georgia, Alabama and South Carolina, Georgia expects a 7% rise in its AEWR, increasing from $13.67 to $14.66. Georgia’s …

It’s Raining Again: Recent Rain Events Helping Drought-Stricken Southeast

Clint ThompsonWeather

By Clint Thompson Recent rain events have alleviated some of the dry conditions being observed across the Southeast. All signs point to increased rainfall this winter, due to an El Niño weather pattern, believes Pam Knox, University of Georgia Extension agricultural climatologist. “We’ve been stuck in this pattern of high pressure over us, and it’s just kept all of the …

GFVGA Leader: Farm Bill Extension Disappointing

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson An extension to the farm bill buys legislators extra time to devise a new bill before the elections next November. Count the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA) as one organization that was disappointed a new bill was not implemented this year. Chris Butts, executive vice president of the GFVGA, talked about the farm bill and …

USDA Announces ’22 Census of Ag Details

Clint ThompsonUSDA

WASHINGTON – The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will release the 2022 Census of Agriculture data on Feb. 13, 2024. NASS concluded the data collection this summer with a preliminary national return rate of 61%. The ag census, conducted once every five years, was mailed to more than 3 million producers across the United …

South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline: Tomato Viruses on the Rise

Clint ThompsonFlorida

Tomato viruses are on the rise across the southern Florida region, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. The Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Virus (TYLCV) is up to 100% in the earliest plantings across central Florida. In Southwest Florida, some locations are reporting up to 5% of TYLCV. Along the east coast, reports of a rare plant with …

blood oranges

Blood Oranges May Be Option for Cold-Hardy Region

Dan CooperCold Hardy, Varieties

Blood oranges could provide citrus growers with another variety to grow in the cold-hardy citrus region. But further research is needed to verify its effectiveness in the Southeast, says Ali Sarkhosh, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) associate professor. “We harvested those fruit in Quincy at the North Florida Research and Education Center. We still don’t …

Georgia Farm Bureau Members to ‘Dig In’ to Agriculture at Annual Convention

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

MACON, Ga. – Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB) members will gather on Jekyll Island Dec. 3-5 for the organization’s 86th annual convention. Attendees will be ‘Diggin’ In’ to agriculture issues and advocacy as they participate in event activities. This year marks the 59th year GFB has held its convention on Jekyll Island. Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper and motivational speaker Matt …

Farm Bill Needed Sooner Rather Than Later

Clint ThompsonLegislative

By Clint Thompson A one-year extension of the farm bill does not imply Congress can wait until September to form a new one. One legislative expert is hopeful a new farm bill is in place sooner rather than later. Bob Redding, who works for the Redding Firm and serves as a lobbyist for agricultural groups in Washington, D.C., spoke about …

Sneak Peek: December 2023 SCI Magazine

Clint ThompsonSpecialty Crop Industry Magazine

By Clint Thompson The December issue of Specialty Crop Industry (SCI) Magazine recaps the Florida Ag Expo in Wimauma, Florida. This year’s show featured a tailgate trade show and field tour that highlighted the event at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Gulf Coast Research and Education Center. There was a general seminar session, featuring a …