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A common problem that many citrus growers face annually is post-bloom fruit drop. This disease is caused by a fungus known as Colletotrichum Acutatum. The fungus survives between bloom periods as resistant structures on the buttons, leaves, and twigs. When flowers first open on a tree, this fungus begins to germinate and form spores. These […]

Our fall gardening season is kicking off, and now is the time to think differently about your garden and landscape’s health.  It’s time to plant annual flowers and vegetable plants. Also, if you’re looking to transplant any trees and shrubs, now is a good time. Here are some additional tips for fall gardening:  Check your

Citrus is a major industry in the Sunshine State, and the developments concerning citrus are numerous as growers, researchers, and industry leaders all pull together to ensure the success of this unique Florida ag industry. Check out the latest developments in citrus here.  Free Nutrient Sampling Starter Kits Nutrient sampling is an important factor in any citrus

This being the sportsman and ag-recreation edition of Central Florida Ag News, I wanted to let folks know how well these two elements fit together in Florida. If you think about it, it’s actually one of those peas-and-carrots sort of things, but for those who wouldn’t go so far as to call themselves a sportsman

Summer is a wonderful time of year, but it poses several risks for our equine friends. Dehydration and heat stress are only some of the problems our horses can suffer with in summertime, and I discussed this in a previous article. The sun and hard ground can also create some challenges.   Horses can develop

One of the most common concerns we hear almost on a daily basis is, “do I have enough money to retire?” Thought of another way, when will you have enough money that you can quit working and retire comfortably? A “retirement income analysis” can help you create a picture of where you stand today and

Last month, I shared one of my basic beliefs that businesses MUST support our local communities.  On a related note, I believe business owners have an obligation to support causes as well. But rather than call them obligations, I refer to them as “opportunities.” For me, that shift in thinking makes all the difference –

Sometimes it can be the simplest things that provide the highest form of protection when it comes to food safety. Ever since the Tylenol scare of 1982, there has been an increasing awareness of food safety in all parts of the process: from the sourcing of raw materials, to manufacturing, to transport and storage. Then

Citrus has a long history in The Sunshine State, with Spanish explorers planting the first citrus trees in Florida in the 1500s. Early Florida citrus growers started a deep heritage, opening the fruit stands and stores that sold fresh fruit, orange juice, orange preserves and other citrus goods that were the precursors to today’s agritourism

Florida’s year-round subtropical climate and expansive agricultural footprint place the state in a prime position for profit. Agritourism combines agriculture and tourism—the two largest industries in the state—for entertainment and education. Florida’s ranchers and farmers are able to benefit from the lucrative industry thanks to a law passed in 2013 that protects and facilitates such