Fruit and Vegetable Production Resources
-
B 1493
Organic Pecan Production
Organic food production is one of the fastest-growing sectors of the American food marketplace and is driven largely by personal health preferences and environmental ethics. Pecan production generates unique challenges to organic production methods in the humid Southeastern U.S. because it is an environment conducive to heavy pressure from insects, diseases, and weeds. Therefore, the foundation of any organic pecan production program in the Southeastern U.S. will be based on selection for pest-resistant cultivars.
|
-
This circular contains the fundamentals of watermelon irrigation scheduling using the crop water demand method. Decisions regarding the timing, frequency, and amount of water required for a crop are some of the most critical factors in vegetable production. There are numerous irrigation scheduling strategies employed by growers, but the crop water demand method of irrigation management is one of the most reliable and precise ways to schedule irrigation. This method adjusts irrigation events using the crop evapotranspiration, or ETc.
|
-
Wild bees are effective pollinators of crops and native flowers, shrubs, and trees. They are naturally present and can supplement honey bees in apple pollination. Boosting their numbers by habitat development and conservation can be of considerable commercial and ecological value to producers and consumers. This guide is intended to highlight most common wild bees in North Georgia apple orchards.
|
-
A grower survey was carried out in January 2023 during the annual blueberry update event held in Alma, Georgia. Survey responses were collected from 26 growers from eight Georgia counties. The results indicated the cultivar preference of south Georgia growers and major production constraints of blueberry production in southeast Georgia.
|
-
In Georgia, there are many small-scale producers that largely use ecological production practices, such as Certified Organic, and sell in farmers markets or other direct marketing channels. As these direct markets begin to saturate, these producers may need to forge a path beyond direct markets to wholesale or institutional markets that want sustainable products. Food hubs may offer a path for these small farms to scale up. There are three overlapping forms of food hubs in Georgia. Each has different markets and thus different requirements for the producers who sell to them. This publication discusses the types of food hubs in Georgia and gives producers guidelines on which form of food hub may work best for them.
|
-
This publication lists vegetable variety recommendations for the state of Georgia. Most of these varieties have been trialed and grown successfully in the state. These are not the only varieties that can grow well in Georgia but provide new gardeners with a starting point to increase their chances of success. Gardeners may need to search print catalogs and online to find the vegetables they are looking for, as local garden centers may not always carry the varieties listed here.
|
-
Important considerations for starting a small hydroponic operation at your home or an urban garden site.
|
-
AP 130-3-09
2025 Corn, Soybean, and Wheat Outlook
1. Tight margins are expected to continue in 2025 for corn, soybeans, and wheat with commodity prices likely near or below the breakeven cost of production.
2. Bountiful grain and oilseed production, combined with a strong U.S. dollar and uncertain trade policy, leads to expectations for lower prices in 2025.
3. Expect more acres planted to corn, fewer acres planted to soybeans, and wheat plantings comparable to last year.|
-
AP 130-3-10
2025 Fruits and Tree Nuts Outlook
1. Blueberries will continue to lead the Georgia fruits and tree nuts industry in 2025 and subsequent years despite the damage from Hurricane Helene, which is expected to reduce production and yields.
2. The Georgia pecan industry will take several years to recover from the effects of Hurricane Helene, and this natural shortage will keep prices strong.
3. Overall, consumer and grower price indexes will remain strong in 2025.|