Join Sarah, Zack, and Andy for regional crop updates from across the state. Justin joins in to chat about this week’s “Timely Topic” which focuses on moving into cooler weather. The group discusses considerations for several crops, including strawberry, peach, and brassicas. To cover or not to cover? That is the question for strawberry growers this time of year. Tune in to hear some pros and cons on the subject. Andy shares information about delaying bloom on peaches and the optimal timing for pruning. Everyone joins in to chat a little about brassicas and how to reduce stress on yourself and the crop. Zack and Sarah tie for Justin’s trivia game, and the prize for everyone is not 1 but 3 “Dad Jokes” from Zack… We obliged, but only because they were Halloween-themed.
On this episode, Justin and Brittney bring us another Grower Spotlight. Brittney tells us about Mcleod Farms, a multi-generational operation in McBee, SC. The farm, now run by Kemp and Spencer Mcleod, has been a family run farm since 1916. Since the beginning, peaches have been a major part of their operation, and they have since expanded into many more crops and even some agritourism. Tune in to find out all the offerings Mcleod Farms brings to the PeeDee region. Justin, Sarah and Brittney also share some stories of spooky pests out in the field!
On this episode, all we do is talk about how dry it is and how many diamondback moths are in the field…kidding, kidding! Although it sometimes feels like those are the only things going on, we actually did discuss a few more things happening around the state. Agents are on board for regional updates as well as a deeper discussion on “Strawberry Season”. Andy, Justin, and Zack tell us about the in-line fumigation work they have been doing with farms across the state. Rob and I join in to discuss things to look for before and during planting to ensure a good chance of successful establishment, and issues to scout for early. A fun new segment we are adding to the show is a little game of trivia to test the agent’s knowledge. Justin quizzes us on an invasive plant for this round. I’ll let it be a surprise who the winner was, but I’ll give you a hint: He ends the show with a “Dad Joke”!
We’re doing things a little bit different around here, but hopefully that means you get even more out of this podcast! Join us as we revamp things and add some new segments that will allow us to take a deeper dive into things and maybe not repeat so much of what’s on the SC Grower Blog. One of the features that we have on both the blog and the podcast is our monthly ‘Grower Spotlight’. Each month, an agent chooses a farm or grower that they want to share about. We’ve included those here on the podcast previously, but we hope to start spending a little more time on these features. On this episode, Justin and Rob share with us about a midlands grower who Rob currently works with and has chosen to showcase, Jebali Farms. Learn a little about this operation and find out how you can enjoy a meal from an eatery in Lexington SC, featuring the hyper-local goods from Jebali! In a new segment, as we are coming up on the 1-year anniversary of Helene, which wreaked havoc on many areas of the state last season, we also discuss the ‘Timely Topic’ of hurricane season and some effects storms can take on crops, even years later.
On today’s episode, we hear from agents around the state and discuss weather woes from the field. Excessive moisture is an issue for most of the state, making field conditions less than ideal for growers prepping fields for new plantings. Justin and Briana bring us this month’s Grower Spotlight. Tune in the hear about Walker Miller and The Happy Berry. We wrap things up with a “Dad Joke” from Zack.
In this month's deep dive, Rob Lasts chats with Horticulture Team Extension Associate, Lacy Barnette. They discuss topics including the Climate Smart Grant, the use of cover crops, reduced tillage, mulching, and the benefits of these practices for South Carolina fruit and vegetable production.
Today’s show comes to you from the comfort of our air-conditioned offices because it’s getting too hot for plants AND people out there! Agents give crop updates from around the state and discuss the heat and weather conditions. Combatting the heat can be a challenge, so we share a few things to consider when the temps are way up there. Justin and Anna Sara share a grower spotlight with us featuring Phil Sandifer and Sons Farm located in Barnwell and Bamberg Counties. We wrap up with a dad joke from Zack. This one is pretty good but you’ll have to listen to the episode for the punch line, I don’t want to give it away!
For this deep dive, Justin Ballew and Kevin Burkett discuss the Farm Gate program. This annual survey collects data on specialty crop acreage and yield to help calculate the total economic value of the fruit and vegetable industry. Learn how data is collected, how the reports are utilized, and where to find them.
www.clemson.edu/extension/agribusiness/resources/farmgate
On today’s episode, Zack, Anna Sara, Andy, Rob and Sarah share a brief crop report from across the state. Hot weather is the common theme, and the heat can bring issues to growers. We discuss some pests and diseases being seen, and also chat briefly about some pesticide considerations when the temperatures are on the rise. Make sure you check out the SC Grower Blog to see some of the photos we discussed in the episode. Oh, and Zack has a “Dad Joke”… Sorry
Agents Sarah, Rob and Anna Sara discuss what’s happening in the field and have a conversation about seasonal woes, including pest and disease issues. The group chats about some control measures the growers can take in order to reduce pathogen spread in fields as well as cover a few important points about correct identification and pest control. Anna Sara shares some facts about the critter lurking in the blueberry bush from Zack’s Question of the Week photo. Tune in!
This week, the agents chat about the recent rainy weather and what that means for all the crops coming to market. The agents also get into a good conversation about orchard herbicides and give some great advice on a few products. We finish the episode highlighting JMac Farms.
In this month's deep dive, Zack Snipes chats with post-harvest handling specialist Dr. Karin Albornoz about her research projects. They chat about how growers can prevent water loss in post-harvest handling, which will save them lots of money and preserve many of the nutritional benefits of the crop. They specifically discuss leafy greens, red druplets in blackberries, and fresh-cut watermelons.
The theme for the last few weeks has been “weather related issues”… From hail to heavy rains following dry conditions, the weather has been giving growers a hard time this season. Agents from across the state share field conditions and crop updates. Also, in this episode, we are joined by Dr. Tony Keinath, who shares some issues on a few crops that are starting to emerge following these heavy rain events. If you are growing potatoes or cucurbit crops, you’ll want to listen in to learn about some signs and symptoms that might be popping up in your fields.
Rain, hail, heat…must mean summer is on the way. Warm temperatures bring all sorts of weather conditions to the field, and the agents are discussing some of the issues that have come from them. Excessive moisture has put an end to some strawberry production, while others are seeing a second flush in their season. Join the discussion on what the determining factors are in moving forward or moving on. Andy and Zack join us “live from the field”, Phillip, Sarah and Justin share updates from around the midlands, and we hear about our May “Grower Spotlight”. Listen to the end to catch Zack’s dad joke.
On this episode, Anna Sara interviews the newly retired Dr. Gilbert Miller. You may recognize him from a previous podcast, drip irrigation workshop or most notably, his work with watermelon research. Join us to learn about Dr. Miller’s career with Clemson as an agent and researcher spanning 45 years of service. Anna Sara chats with ‘Gilbert’ about his early career and the path that led him to this profession. Learn more about his research and career accomplishments, as well as his personal background and retirement plans. Thank you, Dr. Miller, for your years of service and congratulations on your retirement. We know your contributions to agents and growers are not ending, and we’ll keep an eye out for that festive watermelon shirt out in the field!
Agents from all regions of the state share a report from the field this week. We’ve said it before, but this time we mean it…Things are getting busy! Peaches are coming to harvest, strawberries are plentiful, and vegetables are ready…
With the busy season comes plenty of opportunity for pest issues. Agents bring up issues that growers should be scouting for, and discuss the crazy weather some areas got last week. Sarah and Justin cover the question of the week, and Zack gets us ready for the week with a dad joke. Tune in!
On this episode, we have reports coming from all 4 regions of the state. Strawberries and warm weather are definitely the trend this week. Weather across the state has also been quite windy and dry, causing some sand blasting in crops. We discuss some of that damage and what it might look like in the field, as well as other issues to look out for as the weather warms up. Christiana shares with us about Atkinson Farms, our grower highlight for the month.
And…let’s not forget about the return of the dad joke with Zack! Tune in for crop updates and more.
You’d be hard pressed to find a roadside produce stand that doesn’t have a few buckets of strawberries for sale (unless they’ve sold out for the day) around the state. Juicy red fruit has been hitting the market, and reports from across the state indicate good yield so far. Andy makes us aware of a new bacterial issue showing up in the upstate and some symptoms to look for. Peaches and blueberries are moving along, and it looks like it is going to be another heavy yielding year for both crops. Andy and Sarah hit on some points on plum curculio. Phillip gives us an outlook from his side of the midlands “near the lake,” and Zack shares a coastal update. We get a brief update out of Sandhills from Justin as well as a “question of the week,” a submission from Zack about the native Pawpaw. Zack shares some facts about this interesting fruit tree with some help from Phillip, who compares the taste to that of a pina colada. Tell us, have you tasted this funky fruit? What are your thoughts? Oh, we can’t forget about the return of the “dad joke.” Thanks to Zack for keeping us chuckling (or rolling our eyes).
In this episode, we dive into Spring! Along with warm weather and pollen come strawberries, which is the beginning of a very busy season. While we have seen some pretty warm temperatures around the state, night temperatures have dropped several times, causing growers to choose whether to use row covers in their strawberry fields or not. Agents discuss the strawberry crop and share some things to consider if using those covers on these cooler nights. Peaches are moving along across the state as well. Blooms are giving way to leaves, and things are getting busy in the orchards as well. Tune in to hear a report from your region of the state and to hear from Andy and Justin about our March Grower Spotlight. We’ve also decided on the addition of a new segment… "Mediocre Mom Jokes" brought to you by Sarah. Join us!
In this month's deep dive, Zack chats with Clemson's strawberry and vegetable entomologist, Dr. Tom Bilbo. They go into great detail on how to manage the twospotted spider mite using IPM and how Dr. Bilbo's research is unique to South Carolina.