Hemp Meetings Set for Alabama

Clint ThompsonAlabama, Hemp

AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala. – The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) will host four industrial hemp meetings for new and seasoned growers next month. Sonja Thomas, Alabama Extension pesticide safety specialist, said all meetings will follow the same agenda, so growers only need to attend one. “The meeting will be an overview of the 2024 hemp season with changes …

Citrus Trees Weather Sub-Freezing Nights

Clint ThompsonAlabama, Citrus, Florida, Georgia

By Clint Thompson Trees in the Cold-Hardy Citrus Region weathered last week’s multiple nights of sub-freezing temperatures, according to one industry expert. “I had somebody here at the house and they said, ‘Are you still running sprinklers?’ I was like, ‘Heavens no, but it’s all that ice thawing out and running out into the road.’ It’s a pond out there …

AFVGA Conference Registration Extended to Jan. 28

Clint ThompsonAlabama

Conference registration has been extended to Jan. 28 for those interested in attending the Alabama Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association Conference (AFVGA), slated for Feb. 14-16 in Gulf Shores, Alabama. The registration price of $200 covers all planned meal functions, breaks, breakouts and general sessions. The conference will be held at The Lodge at Gulf State Park. Educational sessions, workshops, …

Second Annual Drone Conference Scheduled for Feb. 26-29

Clint ThompsonAlabama

AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala. — The Alabama Cooperative Extension System is hosting the second annual Spray Drone End-User Conference on Feb. 26-29 at The Lodge at Gulf State Park in Gulf Shores, Alabama. The first conference was held virtually in 2023, with 220 people in attendance. This year, Steve Li, an Alabama Extension weed scientist, and his team are offering the conference …

Jan. 15 Deadline for AFVGA Conference Registration

Clint ThompsonAlabama

By Clint Thompson The Alabama Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (AFVGA) reminds those interested in attending its annual conference, scheduled for Feb. 14-16 in Gulf Shores, Alabama, that the registration deadline is just around the corner. Blake Thaxton, executive director of the AFVGA, provided an update on registration numbers with the deadline just days away. “(Registration) is scheduled to close …

Fruit, Vegetable Outlooks Highlighted During Alabama Ag Outlook Conference

Clint ThompsonAlabama

The Auburn University College of Agriculture and Alabama Cooperative Extension System Farm and Agribusiness Management Team recently hosted the Alabama Agricultural Outlook Conference in Montgomery on Dec. 13. It featured speakers from across the Southeast. Agricultural enterprises and systems in the Southeast were highlighted. Will Jordan, with AgNet Media, visited with Wendiam Sawadgo from Auburn University to discuss fruit and …

Drought’s Impact on Alabama Pecan Crop

Clint ThompsonAlabama

By Clint Thompson Alabama’s prolonged drought in the late summer and fall impacted the size of this year’s pecan crop, according to Bryan Wilkins, Auburn University research associate. But the lack of rainfall actually helped the quality of this year’s crop in Mobile and Baldwin counties. “It’s cut the size of the nuts, but from what I’ve been seeing, it …

Hemp Outlook in Alabama

Clint ThompsonAlabama

By Clint Thompson Hemp applications are currently being accepted for Alabama producers, with the final day to apply set for Jan. 15, 2024, at 5 p.m. (CST). Katelyn Kesheimer, Auburn University assistant professor and Extension specialist, discussed what can be expected from hemp production in the state next year. “We’re probably going to see the same consistent growers we’ve seen …

Adapting to Change is Name of the Game in Ag

Clint ThompsonAlabama, Specialty Crop Industry Magazine

By Clint Thompson Adaptation equals survival in the specialty crop sector. If producers are not willing to adapt to the changing agricultural times, their livelihoods will be significantly impacted to the point of extinction. That mindset has elevated one Alabama grower’s business over the last 30 years. “If you cannot adapt in this business, you will not survive,” said John …

Christmas Tree Grower: Weather Events Led to Challenging Production Season

Clint ThompsonAlabama

By Clint Thompson Weather events last Christmas and this fall have made Christmas tree production difficult this year, according to one Alabama producer. “The production was a challenge. That’s my best word, and I think I’m probably speaking for every Christmas tree grower in our neck of the woods, in this part of the Southeast,” said Steve Mannard, with Fish …