Southeast

Getting food from farms to customers helped by UF/IFAS Extension

As the novel coronavirus disrupts the usual methods to deliver food from farms to consumers, University of Florida UF/IFAS Extension agents are helping connect growers with customers. Two such specialists are Sarah Bostick, an agriculture... more »

Employees, churches, healthcare providers, food banks aided by US Sugar

As part of its ongoing local response to the global COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. Sugar announced April 8 it is contributing nearly 1,000 crates, or the equivalent of 120,000 servings of fresh, locally and American-grown green... more »

Florida specialty crop operators hit hard by virus impact, agent says

Gene McAvoy, regional vegetable Extension agent IV emeritus with University of Florida UF/IFAS, shared the following synopsis of conditions in south Florida for specialty crop growers impacted by the coronavirus challenges. “Up to the end... more »

With crops in the ground, Florida watermelon growers face uncertainty

Today, as fruit and vegetable farmers in south Florida decide what to do with produce once destined for now-closed schools and restaurants, watermelon farmers in north Florida have recently finished planting their crop. Given the... more »

COVID-19 keeps Georgia produce growers from hiring labor, exporting crops

Georgia produce farmers are used to fighting plant diseases on their crops, but planting resistant varieties or spraying pesticides won’t keep Coronavirus (COVID-19) away. This disease has shut down borders and reduced access to the... more »

Florida finds ways to connect produce sellers, buyers

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused major disruptions to Florida food markets. Sales of food products to restaurants and schools have fallen drastically. Some farmers' markets have closed. Sales through grocery stores spiked upward initially, but... more »

Florida representatives urge action to help state’s growers

U.S. Congressman Brian Mast, R-Florida, on April 7 led a bipartisan coalition from the Florida Congressional delegation in urging U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue to expedite relief to Florida farmers amid the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19)... more »

North Carolina strawberry U-pick outlets get operation advice

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper has issued a stay-at-home order, which went into effect on Mar 30. COVID-19 has rapidly changed the individual freedoms that many of us took for granted, to ensure the greater... more »