More in Grove & Vegetable

May 3, 2012

Article

Mike Sparks: Critical funding issues at top of priorities list

Like most leaders of ag organizations, just about every minute of Mike Sparks’ time stays booked these days. This is one of those years of confluence, when a lot of things call for the attention of Florida Citrus Mutual’s chief executive officer and executive vice president....More
May 3, 2012

Article

Citrus leadership program seeks nominees 1

The Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association’s Emerging Leader Development Program is looking for partners for its 2012-13 class, and members are urged to get involved by supporting it financially and by nominating a potential leader, says Sonia Tighe, program leader....More
May 3, 2012

Article

Easier-to-use irrigation system cuts labor needs

In the middle of the season, with dry weather becoming a worrisome bug in the back of many growers’ minds, the Glades rattle with activity. In field after field, workers harvest lettuce and sugar cane as tractors pull planters seeding new crops right next to them....More
May 3, 2012

Article

Hunt Bros. Cooperative — Change is a vital part of their business DNA

Sometimes things just need a good renovation. These days, Frank Hunt III enjoys pointing out the intricacies of the packinghouse at Hunt Bros. Cooperative headquarters outside Lake Wales....More
May 3, 2012

Article

John Painter, Jr.: a focus on tropical fruit 1

Visit John Painter, Jr.’s Pantropic Grove, and you get an eye-opening lesson in tropical fruit production. Exotic fruit from around the world fascinated Painter from the moment he moved from Connecticut to Pine Island, Fla....More
May 3, 2012

Article

Eberhard Müller: Growing something quite different

Most businesses want to catch the latest trend — but Eberhard Müller tries his best to stay several laps ahead of any wildly popular fad. By the time something reaches that stage, it has become a ho-hum yawner to the chefs who are his top customers....More
May 3, 2012

Article

California will take over psyillid trapping, detection

California’s agriculture is launching an effort to protect the state’s $2 billion citrus industry. Dr. Robert Leavitt, director of plant health inspection for the California Deaprtment of Food and Agriculture, said the trapping and detection program for Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) will shift to the state April 1....More
May 3, 2012

Article

Trade commission votes to revoke dumping order

The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) struck a blow to Florida citrus growers by voting to revoke the anti-dumping order on certain Brazilian orange juice processors....More
May 3, 2012

Article

New water/nutrient regs: an added challenge for growers

Since late 2010, desiring to monitor nutrient levels in Florida waters, the EPA has sought to implement its proposed “Water Quality Standards for the State of Florida’s Lakes and Flowing Waters.”...More
May 3, 2012

Article

Mexican imports hammering Florida veggies

With Mexican imports hammering markets, Florida tomato and bell pepper farmers, who are facing certain production losses, question whether they can hang on for another year....More
May 3, 2012

Article

Barben, Hunt, and Lester are inducted into Florida Citrus Hall of Fame

The selection committee for the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame has announced that three industry leaders were inducted during the 50th anniversary Citrus Celebration luncheon March 2 at Florida Southern College, Lakeland....More
May 3, 2012

Article

Citrus greening costs industry $3.63 billion

Since 2006, the bacterial disease citrus greening has cost Florida’s economy an estimated $3.63 billion in lost revenues and 6,611 jobs by reducing orange juice production, according to a study from the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences....More
May 3, 2012

Article

At 97, Victor Guzman still is building better veggies

Sixty years ago, Victor Guzman came to the fertile muck fields of western Palm Beach County with a clear but broad mission. Then a newly minted University of Florida assistant horticulturist assigned to the Everglades Research and Education Center at Belle Glade, he was directed to find ways to help Glades vegetable growers, however he could....More
May 3, 2012

Article

Professor’s goal: developing plants, produce that offer maximum appeal to consumers

A University of Florida professor who collaborates across academic disciplines to measure consumer preferences to different fruits, vegetables, and flowers has a goal of developing plants designed for consumers’ pleasure. ...More
May 3, 2012

Article

Florida’s tug of war over fresh water supplies intensifies

The tug-of-war over finite water resources is only becoming more intense. Agriculture must have its portion for irrigation, while industry and municipalities must have theirs....More
May 3, 2012

Article

On the shores of the big lake— Erickson fruit operation: taking a contrarian approach

Nestled along Lake Okeechobee’s southeastern edge, the Ericksons farm in the midst of some of the world’s best soil for growing sugar cane and winter vegetables. So, why do they focus their efforts on fruit — and rather unusual fruit, at that?...More
Feb. 2, 2012

Article

A ‘silver bullet’ for citrus greening?

A simple silver plastic mulch may deter citrus psyllid from landing on young trees most susceptible to the greening disease it vectors....More
Feb. 2, 2012

Article

Bumblebees: A new role as pollinators?

With the hammering that honeybee populations have taken over the last few years, farmers have been reminded how vital pollinators are for good yields. And as honeybee hives continue to be hit with odd maladies, the question is: Can native pollinators fill the gap?...More
Feb. 2, 2012

Article

Scientist helps youngsters to understand food origins

Be prepared to discuss more than fungi when talking to Rick Raid, University of Florida plant pathologist at the Everglades Research and Education Center near Belle Glade....More
Feb. 2, 2012

Article

The Supermarket Guru: Seeking next big trend 1

Forget what you thought you knew about supermarkets. How Americans buy food is changing, says Phil Lempert, the self-styled “Supermarket Guru,” a food industry analyst who runs a website by the same name....More
Feb. 2, 2012

Article

At Wish Farms, labor for harvest is a worry

With workers busy harvesting strawberries on a crisp winter morning, all looked normal in fields around Plant City, Fla. But a worrisome question hung over the scene: Will there be enough laborers for harvest come spring, when competition from other crops like blueberries tends to entice workers away?...More
Feb. 2, 2012

Article

Virus-resistant tomato may hold hope for industry

Field tomato growers from Florida to Texas say a new virus-resistant variety developed by vegetable breeders at Texas A&M University may provide a glimmer of hope for an industry that has been decimated by a raging virus complex spread by the dreaded whitefly....More
Feb. 2, 2012

Article

Marvin Kahn — Promoting goals of Florida Citrus Grower Associates

Marvin Kahn heads outside Sebring, Fla., where he has an office near the center of town, to check a harvest crew’s progress in his Murcott tangerines. Along the way, he points to a grove with young Valencia trees interspersed among large old ones....More
Jan. 13, 2012

Article

All-out effort seeks solutions for citrus greening disease 2

Visit the University of Florida’s Citrus Research and Education Center at Lake Alfred, and you encounter a group of scientists running hard to catch up with citrus greening disease — Huanglongbing, also known as HLB — the exotic Asian bacteria that has infested trees throughout the state’s production areas....More
Jan. 13, 2012

Article

Jim Berke finds a niche with sun-dried products

Drive to the end of the dirt road in Loxahatchee, through a landscape reminiscent of old-time South Florida, and Jim Berke soon has you eating a fresh persimmon and chewing on mango jerky....More