Florida

Tomato webinar teaches about Septoria leaf spot management

Septoria leaf spot is one of the more common foliar diseases of tomatoes, particularly in the East.

To help growers and consultants learn more about this destructive disease, Focus on Tomato has launched a free educational webinar.

Florida Citrus Mutual begins appeal of OJ anti-dumping ruling

Lakeland-based Florida Citrus Mutual has filed paperwork to begin the appeal of the International Trade Commission's decision to revoke the anti-dumping order against Brazilian orange juice processors.

Pepper yields may be made in the shade

Georgia peppers growers are finding out yields are made in the shade, thanks to research from the University of Georgia.

Horticulturist Juan Carlos Diaz-Perez has been studying pepper production on black plastic mulch under black shade cloth since 2007, according to a news release.

Herb grower receives $1 million fine for illegal labor

A Duvall, Wash.-based organic herb operation, which ships to nearly 2,700 retailers nationwide, was fined $1 million for firing illegal immigrants, then secretly hiring them back on a night shift to avoid detection.

Study: Healthy convenience will drive value-added veggie sales

As the country emerges from the recession, touting the health benefits of value-added vegetables alone may not be a strong enough reason for consumers to increase purchases and consumption.

USDA boosts Florida non-Valencia orange estimate slightly

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has increased the number of non-Valencia oranges it expects Florida's growers to harvest this season by 200,000 90-pound boxes.

Beetle, fungus cause concerns for California avocado growers

A minute beetle and the fungus it carries have been linked to branch dieback in residential avocado and landscape trees in Southern California, causing concern for the state's avocado industry.

Florida governor picks and packs oranges

Florida Governor Rick Scott literally went to work at an Indian River citrus packinghouse.

Florida Citrus Packer's Richard Kinney to retire

After 29 years at the helm of the Lakeland-based Florida Citrus Packers, Richard Kinney will retire June 1.

FDA missed deadlines may continue

The Food and Drug Administration badly missed statutory deadlines in January for issuing food safety regulations this year, and significant hurdles remain before any produce safety rule will take effect.