The citrus greening crisis in Florida and across the U.S. is receiving $20.1 million dollars to bring growers closer to a solution. The USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) awarded the grants to university researchers and extension projects working to fight Huanglongbing (HLB) or greening disease. “Citrus greening has affected more than 75 percent of Florida citrus crops …
UF Helps Launch Olive Groves in Florida
Buying extra virgin olive oil from olives grown in Florida may soon become a reality. Richard Williams is one of 50 growers managing 300 acres of olive groves in the state where his in-laws have been growing citrus for six generations. “Planting olives is not for the faint of heart by any stretch of the imagination. This is so new …
John Deere Unveils 5G Series Tractors
A new, narrow and highly-manuerverable tractor has been unveiled by John Deere. Their new 5G series tractors offer compact power solutions for specialty crops like orchards and vineyards. The new tractors meet the final Tier 4 engine emissions requirements. “The 5G Series Tractors build on the success of the 5EN Series to offer customers more choices for their specialty applications,” …
CFWF Discovers PEI Products
Cheese, mussels, potatoes and preserves were just a few of the many Prince Edward Island products that Canadian Farm Writers learned more about during the 2014 CFWF conference. Bruce MacNaughton and his wife operate the Prince Edward Island Preserve Company, located in an old butter factory, which uses local produce to make a variety of tasty preserves, marmalades, jellies, honeys, …
USDA Invests in Specialty Crop Producers
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack while in Miami, Florida announced nearly $118 million in grants to strengthen markets for specialty crops, such as fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, horticulture and nursery crops. The grants were authorized through the 2014 Farm Bill as part of an effort to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops and provide resources to strengthen American agriculture. Sales of …
Everglades Ag Conservation in Action Preview
If you have ever wanted to see the Florida Everglades up close and personal – here is your chance. The Conservation Technology and Information Center’s 2014 Conservation in Action Tour is exploring the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) October 14-15 to hear the tale of farmers working with the entire ecosystem in mind. CTIC executive director Karen Scanlon says the tour …
On Track with Bayer CropScience Biologics
The California Railroad Museum was the venue for Bayer CropScience to gather with friends and dignitaries in the warm up show for the grand opening of the new Biologics and Vegetable Seeds Research & Development Center in West Sacramento, California. Liam Condon, CEO of Bayer CropScience and Chairman of the Board of Management of Bayer CropScience AG, made a connection …
Immigration Reform Action Day
A coalition of leading business, manufacturing, and agriculture groups – including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Partnership for a New American Economy, Business Roundtable, the American Farm Bureau Federation, AmericanHort, the National Association of Manufacturers, and Western Growers – held a Day of Action for immigration reform today. The group held a national press conference in Washington and events in …
BASF Merivon Fungicide for Specialty Crops
We learned more about BASF Merivon® fungicide at the company’s recent media event from Scott Walker, biology project leader. “We have gotten federal registration for expansion of Merivon on specialty crops,” Walker told us during a stop on the tour of the BASF research farm in North Carolina. “It includes strawberries, fruit and tree nuts, leafy vegetables like lettuce and …
Meet ASTA’s New Second Vice Chair
Mark Herrmann with Monsanto’s vegetable seed division is the new second vice chair of the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) after elections held during the annual meeting last week in Indianapolis. “The seed industry has been an exciting place to be for the last 30 years,” said Herrmann, who has been involved with ASTA for about 20 of those 30 …