Posts in Specialty crops
The Incredible Farm In Louisiana Where You Can Pick Buckets Of Berries

Just after the strawberry season ends in Louisiana, the blueberry season begins! Blueberries are a popular pick-your-own-berry in Louisiana, and Bachman Blueberries is the place to go. The blueberry season in Louisiana typically lasts from June through July, so make some time to visit this berry farm in Louisiana soon!

Bachman Blueberries is a farm in Bush, Louisiana where visitors can pick their own blueberries.

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USDA Accepting Applications to Help Cover Costs of Organic, Transitioning Producers

Agricultural producers and handlers who are certified organic, along with producers and handlers who are transitioning to organic production, can now apply for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Organic and Transitional Education and Certification Program (OTECP) and Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP), which help producers and handlers cover the cost of organic certification, along with other related expenses. Applications for OTECP and OCCSP are both due October 31, 2022. 

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Southern Blight Presents Challenges for Louisiana Growers

Louisiana’s warm, humid weather provides a conducive environment for plant pathogens to quickly establish and spread. As a result, an important plant disease called southern blight has started to show up in Louisiana vegetable and ornamental production.

Southern blight is caused by the soilborne fungus Athelia rolfsii (Sclerotium rolfsii). The pathogen has a wide host range and is known to cause disease on various economically important vegetables (cucurbits, eggplants, peppers, potatoes, tomatoes) and ornamental plants.

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Sweet Potato Quality Analysis is Enhanced with Hyperspectral Imaging and AI

Sweet potatoes are a popular food choice for consumers worldwide because of their delicious taste and nutritious quality. The red, tuberous root vegetable can be processed into chips and fries, and it has a range of industrial applications, including textiles, biodegradable polymers and biofuels.

The study is part of a multi-state collaboration funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture that includes researchers from Mississippi, North Carolina, Michigan, Louisiana and Illinois.

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USDA Expands Insurance Option for Nursery Growers to All States

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is expanding crop insurance tailored for nursery producers to all counties in all states. Nursery Value Select (NVS) is a pilot program that enables nursery producers to select the dollar amount of coverage that best fits their risk management needs. Its expansion is part of USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) efforts to provide insurance options for a broader group of producers, including specialty crop producers.

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Louisiana Farm Bureau seeks National Peanut Board Nominees

The Louisiana Farm Bureau has announced it is seeking eligible Louisiana peanut producers who are interested in serving on the National Peanut Board.  The Louisiana Farm Bureau will hold a nominations election held jointly with New Mexico to select nominees for the National Peanut Board during a meeting to be held on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at the LSU Ag Center - Morehouse County Agents Office located at 9609 Marlatt Street in Bastrop, La.

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