The event is scheduled for Aug. 20-21 in Tifton, Georgia. It is coordinated by the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA).

Speakers and topics include:

• Updates & preparations for future changes in the H2A & H2B guest worker programs, Ellen Hendley, AgWorks H2
• GFVGA & Southeast Legal Foundation’s H2A lawsuit, Braden Boucek and Kimberly Hermann
• Purdue University software solution to automate back office paperwork for ag labor, Scott Prince, Croft

• Georgia housing update from Technical College System of Georgia’s (TCSG) Work Force Development, Felipe Pacheo, Gabriela Munoz, Migrant Seasonal Farmworker program, Carla Calderon-Bonilla, Foreign Labor Certification Program

• Future engagement of H2A services in agriculture

• Karen Kirchler, deputy commissioner, Rossany Rios, Workforce Development, TCSG

• Litigation trends & wage/hour update, Marty Heller, Fisher Phillips

• What to do (and not) to do in response to OSHA’s proposed heat rule, Fisher Phillips

• Grower Panel hosted by Chris Butts, GFVGA

The event brings together regulators and renowned experts from the ag labor industry. The forum’s format and design encourage active engagement, enabling ag employers, HR managers, and administrators to collaboratively tackle the ongoing and dynamic challenge of securing and sustaining a reliable workforce within a complex regulatory landscape, according to a news release.

This event is designed for owners, operators, office managers, personnel managers and service providers for the produce, nursery, landscape, dairy, cotton, and any other agricultural professional dealing with agricultural labor relations.

Presenting sponsors include the Georgia Farm Bureau, Georgia Agribusiness Council, the Vidalia Onion Committee, the Georgia Watermelon Association, the Georgia Pecan Growers Association, the Georgia Pecan Commission, AgWorks H2, Big Force, and the Georgia Green Industry Association.

The conference will remain at the University of Georgia Tifton Conference Center and continue to offer a comprehensive two-day program of updates and discussions tailored for agricultural employers, according to the release.

Learn more about the event here.

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Below is a listing of educational opportunities that UF IFAS has scheduled.

In-person Produce Safety Alliance grower training

The in-person, one-day course is designed for produce growers and packers who fall under the FSMAs Produce Safety Rule. 

• Oct. 29 in Homestead
• Nov. 7 in Jacksonville
• Dec. 3 in Lake Alfred
• Dec. 12 in Wauchula

Remote Produce Safety Alliance grower training 

The training is a virtual three-day, three-hour course geared for both fruit and vegetable growers and packers who fall under the FSMA. 

• Aug 20-22: Register now for this event.
• Oct 15-17: Register now for this event.
• Nov 19-21: Register now for this event.

In-person Cleaning and Sanitation Workshop 

The one-day course will be Dec. 4 in Lake Alfred, and it will focus on best practices of cleaning and sanitization and development of proper standard operating procedures. Registration is open for this workshop.

Food Safety Supervisor Training 

A one-day course, delivered alongside FFVA, is focused on food safety supervisor duties, regulatory and audit requirements, the “why” behind the requirements and adult learning. This event will be Oct. 30 in Fort Pierce.

For registration questions, email sarahmccoy@ufk.edu. For general food safety questions, email taylorlangford@ufledu.

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For most farmers operating on razor-thin profit margins, irrigation is essential as insurance against drought and extended dry periods. Due to this critical dependence, numerous state agencies actively promote water use efficiency to sustain the industry.

In the Coastal Plain region of the state, where the majority of crop production takes place, soils are drier and sandier, making irrigation crucial for crop survival. However, the cost of pumping water can be high, and obtaining the necessary water use permits can be difficult. Compounding the issue are the decades-long legal battles throughout the Southeast, which have placed restrictions on water use and require a show of good faith in stewarding the precious resource through effective conservation strategies across all sectors.

Water conservation in agriculture

In a concerted effort to address water conservation in agriculture, the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Ag Water Team helps farmers adopt water-saving practices that boost yields, lower production costs and conserve water for future generations.

Jason Mallard and Phillip Edwards, agents with the UGA Extension Ag Water Team, work alongside College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences faculty, research scientists and county Extension agents to enhance water-use efficiency in agriculture.

With a $75,000 grant from the Georgia Environmental Protection Division’s Altamaha Regional Water Council, the team launched the Master Irrigator Developmental Program last year. The program aims to help Georgia farmers optimize water use through advanced technologies and offers hands-on training and exposure to tools like soil moisture sensors and online apps, enabling farmers to make more informed irrigation decisions and improve their efficiency and sustainability.

Mallard said that while the technology is not new, most growers in Georgia use visible plant stress and the feel of the soil as indicators to apply irrigation. Sole reliance on these older methods generally leads to yield and profit losses and highlights a gap in technology adoption as only a small percentage of Georgia producers report using soil moisture sensors.

Soil moisture monitoring technology measures the water content in the soil and provides data that helps optimize irrigation practices by indicating when watering is necessary. “Ultimately, this technology helps conserve water, reduce energy usage, improve crop yields and enhance profitability,” said Mallard. “Conversely, over-irrigation can lead to soil erosion, nutrient runoff and deep percolation. By implementing smart irrigation practices, we can mitigate these issues by precisely applying water according to crop needs.”

Mallard designed and adapted the UGA Master Irrigator Developmental Program initiative for the Southeast based on highly successful programs from other regions, particularly the Midwest, where extensive crop production places high demands on water.

Growing a statewide support network for Georgia farmers

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While many of his high school classmates relished the lackadaisical days of summer break, Putnam County resident Liam Sayler memorized Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations and the basics of aerodynamics.

But Liam’s tenacity ultimately paid off when he passed an FAA exam, certifying he is qualified to fly a drone.

Liam is one of eight Florida 4-H members who took a drone camp offered by the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension Putnam County last month.

Some camp participants plan to apply their new skills toward aerial photography jobs in the agriculture, real estate and construction sectors. One of the teens considers the certificate a stepping stone to securing a pilot’s license. Another desires to use drone photography as a firefighter.

“I am so proud of these students,” said Wendy Mussoline, director of UF/IFAS Extension Putnam County. “They dedicated a week of their summer to commit to an intensive academic drone training program and obtained their licenses. I believe this experience can truly enhance their future career endeavors.”

A team of UF/IFAS employees taught the class, including Matthew Smith, a commercial crops and food systems agent for UF/IFAS Extension Lake and Orange counties and Joseph “Stacy” Strickland, an agriculture agent for UF/IFAS Extension Osceola County.

The four instructors are certified drone pilots. For the past six years, they have provided drone training for UF/IFAS employees and for state agencies.

The only skills separating the UF/IFAS drone curriculum from that taught to future airplane pilots is fuel management and night flight, said Strickland, a certified airplane pilot.

“This is a job skill,” he said. “These students can go out today with a drone license and start working — and for really good money too. We’ve had students who, after school, would fly a drone and make hundreds of dollars in an afternoon.”

One 4-H member from a past camp applied the money he made as a real estate drone photographer toward paying for his flight hours to become an airplane pilot.

This year, camp instructors arranged for a young entrepreneur to share his expertise.

Lance Dollar, a 2024 graduate of Florahome high school, launched a business using drones to take photographs and videos of agricultural operations, sporting events and property advertised for sale.

Dollar allowed the campers to use his drones, and they practiced take-offs, landings and following square perimeters created by pool noodles. Later, they broke off into two groups; one used the drones to snap aerial photos of the Extension office building as if marketing the property for sale, and the other photographed two adjacent Putnam County Fairgrounds buildings from the sky as if conducting roof inspections.

The Putnam County Soil and Water Conservation District sponsored this year’s camp, supplying $5,500 so students only paid $25 for services valued at $450: The week-long course, lunches, a ride to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and the exam campers took on the university’s Daytona campus.

While the next drone camp has yet to be scheduled, Mussoline hopes additional funding will make it possible for more young people to master drone flight and potentially apply their skills to future careers.

— Megan Winslow, UF/IFAS communications

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Growing up in rural Douglas, Georgia, a town of 11,000 people, Brown actively participated in Future Farmers of America. She also liked to watch cooking shows on TV, and she enjoyed science.

But she wasn’t sure how to combine food with science.

Flash forward a couple of decades, and now she’s the new state specialized agent for food science for the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension in southwest Florida.

“When I was in high school, I was selected to attend the Georgia Governor’s Honors Program as an agricultural sciences major,” she said in a news release. “It was a great opportunity to get a first glimpse into what college or other academic pursuits could look like outside of a traditional classroom setting. What made this program unique was there was not a set curriculum, no tests and (we had) freedom to pursue what we were interested in learning. This program was a game changer for me.”

Later, as a sophomore at the University of Georgia (UGA), Brown was looking for a course to satisfy one of her core degree requirements. She was intrigued by a class called, “Food Issues and Choices,” adding, “Who doesn’t like talking about food?”

She wound up earning her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in food science at UGA, then a master’s in animal science from the University of Connecticut (UConn). In August, she will receive her Ph.D. in animal science from UConn.

While earning her doctorate, Brown worked as a food safety specialist at Oregon State University. Now, Brown plans to help residents, entrepreneurs, members of the food industry and others understand more about food safety statewide – but with an emphasis on stakeholders in Southwest Florida.

Brown admits to having a lot to learn about the specific food science and safety needs of Florida.

“I foresee one of the biggest needs being to provide assistance — through outreach and education — to the food industry with understanding and compliance of new and changing federal regulations,” she said.

For example, in November 2022 and May 2024, the Food and Drug Administration released the final Food Traceability Rule and Pre-Harvest Agricultural Water Rule, respectively.

Both rules fall under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), which was signed into law in 2011. This act was one of the most sweeping changes to food safety regulation in decades, with one of the big outcomes being a shift from reacting to problems to a focus on preventing them.

Not all food operations are required to comply with FSMA regulations. However, Brown and others still need to train smaller food operations on other food related regulations (at the local, state, and federal level) and food safety best practices. The food safety team at UF/IFAS has already done a fantastic job creating and adapting courses and resources for some of these audiences, she said.

“However, as industry needs change, it is important that we continue to meet those needs,” Brown said. “I have talked with several food science and food safety faculty and staff at UF/IFAS about this topic, and I look forward to our future collaborations, so we can deliver information to our constituents.”

Brown works at the Southwest Florida Research and Education Center in Immokalee, Florida, which employs scientists from many academic disciplines.

“Although I greatly miss my Oregon collaborators and friends, this position had everything I was looking for in the next stage of my career,” she said. “Through my job- searching over the years, I had not found many positions that allow you to solely focus on helping people, which was one of the major reasons I got into science as a career path. Extension is great in that regard in that it allows for direct interactions with your community and lets you use your skillsets to help solve real problems.”

— Brad Buck, UF/IFAS.

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UF/IFAS and the Southeastern Coastal Center for Agricultural Health and Safety (SCCAHS) have partnered to create an online toolkit to help protect agricultural workers from the summer heat.

Last year’s sweltering summer temperatures convinced SCCAHS leadership that additional promotion about heat-related illness education could save lives. Even before the summer ended, the center launched a collaborative effort with the UF/IFAS Center for Public Issues Education to assemble an online guide for agricultural educators.

“We know Florida’s farm workers, as well as others working in the agriculture industry, are really vulnerable to these hot conditions,” Ashley McLeod-Morin, SCCAHS associate director of strategic communication, said in a news release. “We felt offering resources to educate our workers and those supervising workers was really important.”

The online toolkit includes webinars, podcasts and communication materials targeted for use by UF/IFAS Extension offices as well as by commodity associations.

A heat safety plan template helps organizations adopt procedures for monitoring the heat index, for providing hydration and for training staff.

Printable guides in English and Spanish advise about the length of work acclimation periods as well as about the amount of water workers should drink.

A 2018 study examining hydration and kidney injury among 192 agricultural workers laboring in Pierson, Apopka and Immokalee, Florida, during the summers of 2015 and 2016 found about 55% of workers experienced dehydration before their shift, 81% experienced dehydration after their shift and 33% experienced acute kidney injury on at least one of the 555 workdays included in the study, according to the release.

In September, a 26-year-old man working for a private company on a Belle Glade sugar cane farm died from heatstroke just a few days after starting his job.

McLeod-Morin expects the SCCAHS toolkit to grow with additional resources over time.

“We really hope this is a living repository and resource we can continue to add to, including more resources in Spanish and in other languages as well,” she said.

The mission of UF/IFAS is to develop knowledge relevant to agricultural, human and natural resources and to make that knowledge available to sustain and enhance the quality of human life. With more than a dozen research facilities, 67 county Extension offices, and award-winning students and faculty in the UF College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, UF/IFAS brings science-based solutions to the state’s agricultural and natural resources industries, and all Florida residents.

— Megan Winslow is in UF-IFAS communications.

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The Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) is partnering with FieldWatch to introduce new technology aimed at promoting safe pesticide usage among beekeepers, crop producers and pesticide applicators in Georgia.

The nonprofit FieldWatch provides an online mapping registry that allows organic growers and beekeepers to alert commercial pesticide applicators and neighbors who farm about sensitive acreage.

This collaboration will facilitate the use of FieldWatch’s secure online registry, allowing users to map apiaries and crop fields, thereby improving communication and stewardship practices.

“Partnering with FieldWatch provides Georgia farmers and beekeepers with essential tools to ensure the safety and efficiency of pesticide applications. It reinforces our commitment to supporting our state’s agriculture, our number one industry,” Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper said in a news release.

“By encouraging registration through FieldWatch, we enhance stewardship and communication in agriculture, crucial for sustainable practices,” said Bob Walters, FieldWatch’s president, said in the release.

The initiative aligns with Georgia’s ongoing efforts under the Using Pesticides Wisely Program (UPW), a comprehensive safety and education initiative in collaboration with UGA Extension. The program has trained more than 17,000 Georgians on safe pesticide usage.

The FieldWatch tools, including DriftWatch and BeeCheck, will be pivotal in enabling Georgia’s agricultural community to register their locations securely, promoting sustainable pesticide practices across the state. Access to FieldWatch’s online portal, FieldCheck, will aid pesticide applicators in making informed decisions to minimize spray drift, according to the release.

FieldWatch operates in 24 states and one Canadian province. The databases provide applicators and growers the ability to check surrounding areas before they spray to minimize the risk of chemical drift that could compromise organic acreage or harm bees.

For more information on how to register and utilize FieldWatch tools, visit the Georgia Department of Agriculture’s website or FieldWatch’s official website.

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Michael Schadler, executive vice president of the Florida Tomato Exchange (FTE), is scheduled to begin as president of the Wenatchee, Washington, in September, according to a news release.

Schadler, who has led the tomato exchange since 2017, succeeds Todd Fryhover, who is retiring. Fryhover joined the commission in 2006 in a consultancy role before becoming president in 2008.

Schadler was also manager of the Florida Tomato Committee and executive vice president of the Florida Tomato Growers Exchange.

Formerly the apple commission’s export operations director, Fryhover for 20 years worked for apple shipping companies, including Chief Wenatchee Growers, Dovex Export Co. and Sun Chief Marketing.

Fryhover succeeded former president Dave Carlson, a Wapato grower who had been president for five years.

Before joining the tomato exchange, Schadler was director of international marketing at the Florida Department of Citrus. He was also with Bryant Christie, a consulting firm focused on a variety of agriculture-related issues.

“Michael’s background with trade associations, international marketing, advocacy, and grower relations make him an ideal fit for this position,” Fryhover said in a release. “I have confidence Michael and WAC staff will work seamlessly to represent the Washington apple grower community and take our programs to the next level in these challenging times for Washington State tree fruit.”

Schadler graduated from the University of Washington in 2002 with a bachelor’s degree in international studies. He is also a member for several trade committees including the USDA Advisory Committee for Trade in Fruits and Vegetables, the Canadian Produce Association North American Trade Committee, Florida Farm Bureau Fruit and Vegetable Advisory Committee, International Fresh Produce Association Government Relations Council, the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance, and others.

“Having been away from Washington for more than a decade, I’m excited to be returning and to have the opportunity to work on behalf of the state’s signature crop,” Schadler said in the release. “I’m looking forward to helping the apple industry manage a very competitive international landscape. There are a lot of headwinds, but the industry is well positioned to continue building on its long-term export success. It will be a privilege to join the Washington Apple Commission this September.”

Established in 1937 by the Washington State Legislature, the WAC is a non-profit, promotional organization dedicated to marketing and advertising fresh Washington apples internationally. WAC is one of the oldest U.S. commodity commissions. It is considered a governmental agency since it is state mandated, but is governed and partially funded by growers.

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CarbonCents is a pioneering technology firm specializing in carbon footprint tracking and reduction solutions.

The collaboration for the Ridge Spring, South Carolina-based grower-shipper marks a significant milestone in Titan Farms’ commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainability, according to a news release.

The decision to join forces with CarbonCents stems from Titan Farms’ dedication to understanding and mitigating its carbon footprint.

“We chose to partner with CarbonCents to help us set baseline emissions standards,” Chalmers Carr, Titan’s CEO and president, said in the release. “Without an understanding of where we stand today, we cannot set reduction targets in a realistic and informed manner.”

Titan grows peaches, bell peppers, broccoli, eggplant and strawberries.

CarbonCents will play a pivotal role in implementing their cutting-edge solutions at Titan. The process involves consolidating all energy consumption data as well as collecting data on other emission-related sources, and utilizing CarbonCents’ proprietary software, “Carbon BI,” to analyze consumption patterns across fields, facilities, and supply chains. This comprehensive approach will enable Titan to identify areas for improvement and implement targeted strategies to reduce emissions effectively, according to the release.

CarbonCents’ involvement ensures compliance with environmental standards and facilitates transparency in reporting carbon footprint to external parties.

“CarbonCents will not only compile our data but also verify its accuracy and audit for incongruences,” Carr said in the release. “Their expertise will ensure that all data shared with external parties is accurate and understandable.”

Looking ahead, Titan Farms aims to engage stakeholders, customers, and communities in its CO2 footprint reduction efforts. By leading the charge in environmental sustainability, Titan hopes to inspire others in the industry to join their journey towards emissions reduction, according to the release.

“Our long-term strategic vision is centered on becoming a leader in environmental stewardship within the agricultural sector,” Carr said in the release. “Through rigorous data collection, strategic goal setting, and collaborative efforts, we are committed to achieving overall emissions reduction throughout our supply chains.”

As Titan Farms enters the data collection phase with CarbonCents, the company remains steadfast in its pursuit of carbon neutrality and net-zero emissions. By leveraging innovative technology and fostering industry-wide collaboration, Titan Farms is poised to make a significant impact on environmental sustainability in agriculture, according to the release.

Founded in 1999 by Chalmers and Lori Anne Carr, Titan Farms is a grower, packer, shipper and processor of fresh peaches and vegetables. Titan is the largest peach grower on the East Coast, with more than 6,200 acres of peaches, 600 acres of bell peppers, 1,000 acres of broccoli and 36 acres of eggplant.

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The Partnership for Growth Program provides GFVGA industry champions the opportunity to support the work of GFVGA beyond the group’s annual membership dues.

“GFVGA provides year-round programs for the fruit and vegetable industry in the Southeast. To continue these programs now and in the future, we call on our industry partners for support,” according to a news release.

“The success of our educational, legislative, and marketing efforts is contingent on these investments by corporate partners, businesses, and individuals. In return, sponsors receive exclusive benefits and recognition as an industry leader in GFVGA publications and events,” according to the release.

Program levels and benefits include a variety of investment levels.

The program is an exclusive benefit for active GFVGA members.

Read more about the program here.

Those with questions about the program can contact Jennifer Walls, GFVGA’s director of membership, at jwalls@asginfo.net or 706-845-8200

Based in LaGrange, Georgia, the Georgia Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association is a grower trade group that provides a united voice for Southeast specialty crop farmers. GFVGA provides programs and services to the membership designed to increase production efficiencies, provide educational opportunities, promote new markets, monitor legislation, encourage applied research and improve communications between GFVGA members and industry suppliers. The organization began in 1996.

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