Author Archives: John Holcomb

Drone Dock Innovation Poised to Revolutionize Crop Spraying in Georgia

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Tifton, GA |

In a world where precision and efficiency are more vital than ever, the future of farming is taking flight—literally. On farms across Georgia and beyond, drones are being used to scout crops and spray fields with growing frequency. But one persistent challenge remains: how to easily transport and reload these drones between applications.

Enter the drone dock—a game-changing innovation developed by Luan Oliveira, Precision Ag Extension Specialist at the University of Georgia. The idea was sparked by a simple suggestion from one of Oliveira’s students.

“One day a student said, ‘Hey, can we put this drone on that robot so we don’t have to keep taking it on and off the truck?’” said Oliveira. “We went beyond that. We didn’t just put the drone on the robot. We developed a whole platform that calculates the chemical amount, doses the chemicals, and delivers them to the drone.”

This integrated system automates the chemical preparation process, eliminating the need for farmers to mix and measure pesticides by hand—a process that’s often time-consuming and prone to error.

“It automates the whole process by calculating, dosing, and delivering chemicals to the drone,” Oliveira explained. “Our preliminary research shows it’s ten times faster than doing it manually.”

Speed isn’t the only advantage. The system also offers ease of use, with a mobile app that lets farmers select the acreage to treat and specify the amount of up to three different chemicals to apply.

“You just open the app and say, ‘I have two acres, and I want one ounce of chemical one, 2.5 ounces of chemical two, and four ounces of chemical three,’” Oliveira said. “Press a button, and it eliminates all the manual mixing, shaking, and delivering. Everything is automated.”

While traditional ground sprayers still dominate the market, drones are making a strong case for adoption—especially in hard-to-reach fields or following adverse weather conditions.

“A spray drone can go where a sprayer can’t—like after a big rain,” said Oliveira. “Sometimes you can’t get the sprayer in fast enough to apply fungicides. A drone can do that for you.”

Drones are also proving their worth in spot spraying, where growers can fly smaller drones to detect weeds, generate a field map, and then send that map to the spraying drone to target only the needed areas.

With innovations like the drone dock making precision ag more accessible, drones are set to play a central role in the farms of tomorrow—combining convenience, speed, and sustainability.

By: Damon Jones

Growing Georgia’s Grape Industry: UGA Extension Helps Vineyards Thrive

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Ellijay, GA |

From the rolling hills of North Georgia to vineyards scattered across the state, grapes are becoming a rising star in Georgia agriculture. At the heart of this growth is Sarah Lowder, Viticulture Extension Specialist at the University of Georgia, who is helping to shape the future of the state’s young—but expanding—wine industry.

“As an extension specialist, my job is to help extend the educational impacts that all these universities, all of the scientists are generating, to where it can be applicable for the people that are using it,” said Lowder. “As the viticulture specialist, that means I get to work with people that grow grapes—and help to figure out how to grow grapes better in the state of Georgia.”

While viticulture is a centuries-old tradition in places like Europe or California, Georgia’s modern wine industry is still in its early stages, with most of its growth coming in just the past few decades.

“Viticulture is an international thing,” said Lowder. “Everyone can think of different wine growing regions across the world. But the industry as it currently is in Georgia is still fairly new—like twenty, thirty years. Grapes can be pretty intensive. You’re trying to trellis them, train them, and manage different diseases and pests. And then it’s formed into wine, which is an added-value product. So there’s a lot of interest in making sure those grapes are the best quality grapes that can produce the best quality wines—ones that really express the region they come from.”

That’s where Lowder and her team step in—providing support and science-backed resources to growers navigating the many challenges of establishing successful vineyards.

“It takes a lot of work to get these vines in the ground,” she said. “And so sometimes these growers are working and they’re like, ‘Alright, now I have questions about how I do this.’ That’s where I get to come in—and the other people I work with—to help support these growers and do a better job doing what they’re doing.”

Thanks to increasing consumer demand and the rise of agritourism, Georgia’s wine industry has seen rapid growth in recent years, with wineries becoming popular weekend destinations.

“The wine industry has seen a real boom,” said Lowder. “I think it’s driven as part of the agritourism business. People want the experience of going to a winery, having wine that’s been grown and made on-site, and just enjoying a beautiful day in the mountains of Georgia—where you can enjoy the view and a Georgia-grown product.”

Grapes may be a niche crop in the broader landscape of Georgia agriculture, but they represent big opportunity—and long-term investment.

“Grapes are a really, really cool crop to work with,” said Lowder. “They’re perennials. These vines are going to stay in your vineyard and produce for many, many, many years.”

By: John Holcomb

Georgia Farmers Face Tight Margins Despite Strong Yields in 2025

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Tifton, GA |

As 2025 came to a close, Georgia farmers found themselves reflecting on yet another year of economic uncertainty—one defined by rising input costs and commodity prices that continued to lag behind. Despite seeing high yields across many row crops, those numbers didn’t always translate to profit.

“The 2025 crop year was a really bountiful year in terms of production for a lot of the row crops—here in Georgia, as well as in the rest of the United States,” said Amanda Smith, Senior Public Service Associate with the University of Georgia. “We’re looking at a large production of corn, a large production of soybeans, large production of peanuts, particularly here in Georgia. We did see production down in terms of cotton because of fewer planted acres. But yields were great.”

While those yields may sound promising, Smith explained they had little impact on prices.

“Even though there were lower acres in some of the commodities, yields were really great. And so, we’re still looking at pretty good production. And that’s not really helping to change prices too much from where they are,” she added.

Still, there’s cautious optimism heading into the new year. Relief payments through programs like the Farm Bridge Assistance Program and the One Big Beautiful Bill are expected to go out in 2026. That, combined with more stable input costs, could give producers some breathing room.

“Some of the good things that I’m seeing from a cost standpoint is that interest rates should be a little bit lower next year,” Smith noted. “We’ve seen some relief from that standpoint. Also, from a crop insurance standpoint, there’s going to be higher subsidies on the premiums for growers. So, crop insurance should be more affordable for producers next year. And we’ve also seen fuel prices remain down.”

As farmers begin preparing for the upcoming planting season, Smith says the first step should be taking stock of where things stand—something that can be greatly aided by tools available through UGA Extension.

“Really, the biggest piece of advice for growers is that they have to know their cost of production,” she emphasized. “There are enterprise budgets available that the University of Georgia puts together on the different commodities. They can use that as a template and guide and put in their numbers based on what production practices they plan to use—whether it’s irrigation, conservation tillage or the specific inputs they plan to utilize. Go down to the penny and know what their cost of production is. Because once they know that, then they can figure out what their break-even price is and see if they can forward price some of the commodities that they’re growing and try to lock in a profit.”

By: Damon Jones

Stephanie Westhafer Named Georgia Ag in the Classroom Teacher of the Year

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Hoschton, GA |

In a vibrant first-grade classroom at West Jackson Elementary, the seeds of curiosity are planted not just in minds—but in soil. Rows of tomatoes, basil, and peppers line the school’s outdoor garden, where students learn lessons that stretch far beyond textbooks.

At the heart of it all is Dr. Stephanie Westhafer, who believes agriculture isn’t just an elective—it’s essential.

“It isn’t just about us planting and tending for the garden,” said Dr. Stephanie Westhafer. “It’s actually something that connects with where their food comes from and the things that they see as they drive to school. Like, we’re fortunate out here that even though we do have the sprawl coming, we still see cows on the way to school and crops growing in fields. And so this was something that I knew would be relatable to them.”

That hands-on, real-world connection is why Westhafer was named the 2025 Georgia Farm Bureau Ag in the Classroom Teacher of the Year.

Her students call it their “pizza garden,” a year-long inquiry-based project that begins with a simple question: How can we maintain a seasonal garden to provide food for our school and community? Through that lens, students explore science, math, literacy—and yes, agriculture—all through one of their favorite foods.

“When I introduced that last year, I said, ‘Guys, I really want to plant a pizza garden.’ And I kind of got looks like… pizza garden?” Westhafer recalled with a laugh. “They were imagining little slices of pizza growing on a vine. But I asked, ‘Do you even know where your pizza comes from?’ And from there, we started exploring—what’s on a pizza, what can we grow, and how does dairy tie in? We even made mozzarella cheese and connected it to our adopted calf and dairy farming.”

Principal Lori King says Westhafer’s energy and commitment are unmatched.

“She loves to learn. She’s a lifelong learner,” said Lori King, principal at West Jackson Elementary. “She implements everything she picks up and engages every single student—and their families, too. Parents are constantly in her classroom, involved and excited about what their kids are learning. She’s just beyond amazing.”

That community buy-in is part of what makes her work so impactful. Whether it’s vermicomposting, healthy cooking, or literacy instruction, Westhafer embeds agriculture into nearly every subject area.

“Reading isn’t its own thing,” Westhafer emphasized. “Reading is something we do to absorb information about science and social studies. It’s immersed in everything we do. And Georgia Ag in the Classroom really focuses on that kind of integrated learning, which is so powerful.”

And it’s that integrated, hands-on style that helps even reluctant learners find their place.

“She brings excitement,” said King. “For kids who maybe don’t love writing or don’t come from a gardening background, she pulls them in through energy and purpose. Once they become hands-on problem solvers, they’re invested.”

For Westhafer, the garden is more than a teaching tool—it’s a place where students find pride in their accomplishments.

“They’ll say, ‘Wow, that was hard, but I did it. And I’m proud of it,’” she said. “And seeing a kid say that they’re proud of something they did—not a test score, but something they grew or made or solved—that’s life-changing.”

By: Ray D’Alessio

Rooted in Faith and Farming: James Casey Honored with 2025 Georgia Farm Bureau Legacy Award

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Polk County |

James Casey says farming was never a question for him—it was a calling rooted deep in family history.

“I was born on a farm, and I never had any intention of doing anything but farm,” said James Casey, 2025 Georgia Farm Bureau Legacy Award winner. “Um, I went to school at the University of Georgia and my daddy really didn’t think I’d come back after I got a degree. But I, I didn’t intend to do anything else but. That’s how I got into it because I was raised in it and never wanted to do anything else but.”

That legacy stretches back generations, all tied to the same land.

“My father was a farmer, and his father was a farmer and uh, uh, both of them farmed right there in the same valley where, you know, where I farmed,” Casey said. “So, I went back to the family farm.”

For his daughter, Joan Mitchell, her father’s dedication to farming has always gone hand in hand with his faith.

“If you know my daddy, then you know what a man of faith he is,” said Joan Mitchell, Casey’s daughter. “So, I’ve seen him, you know, struggle with just trying to keep the farm was always an ongoing thing. Dairy farmers um, unfortunately, don’t make a lot of money. I mean, you got to struggle to just keep afloat.”

She says it was that faith that carried him through difficult times.

“He just has a way. He knows that God’s going to take care of the situation,” Mitchell said. “And I wish I had half of the faith that my daddy does.”

Chad Carlton, Georgia Farm Bureau District 3 Director, says Casey’s commitment went far beyond his own operation.

“Beyond anything else, he, he believes in the mission of Farm Bureau, right?” said Chad Carlton, GFB District 3 Director. “And everything we do and everything he does through the Polk County Farm Bureau was viewed through that lens on how are we going to promote and uh, you know, support agriculture?”

Carlton says Casey’s leadership left a lasting impression.

“So, just having that, having that person leading our county has, has been an inspiration to. Me,” Carlton said.

Mitchell says her father didn’t just talk about supporting agriculture—he lived it.

“My daddy walks the walk,” Mitchell said. “Farm Bureau has always been extremely important to my daddy. Um, he just, he knows how important agriculture is to our world. When I say daddy’s passionate about agriculture, that don’t, that don’t even begin to touch it.”

Carlton says Casey’s dedication was steady and intentional.

“He’s been a steadfast proponent for agriculture all through the years,” Carlton said. “And um, has, has just been the, the best asset for Polk County Farm Bureau.”

One moment, Carlton says, stands out above the rest.

“When he says a prayer at every board meeting, he says help us stay true to what we started out to do,” Carlton said. “And um, that’s something I always try to remember whether I’m in the board meeting or out in the counties is, you know, we have a mission that we started with and we want to always stay true to that. So, he, he’s just instilled that in me.”

For Casey, the recognition is less about himself and more about the people around him.

“I’m pleased with what we’ve accomplished here,” Casey said. “Uh, we’ve had good people to work with. Uh, and I’m very proud of the people that I’ve, I have gotten to come into Farm Bureau and meet them.”

Looking back, he says gratitude defines the journey.

“But uh, but because of my family and everything else that’s happened, Farm Bureau’s a part of it,” Casey said. “I can honestly say I feel like I’m of all men most blessed.”

By: Damon Jones

A Life Rooted in the Land: Walt Pridgen Honored with 2025 Georgia Farm Bureau Achievement Award

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Pitts, GA |

Walt Pridgen has spent his entire life in agriculture, following a path shaped by family, tradition, and a deep sense of purpose.

“I’ve been in agriculture my whole life, I guess you could say,” said Walt Pridgen, 2025 Georgia Farm Bureau Achievement Award winner. “Went to college, got an ag degree. Went into equipment sales out of college. Had the opportunity to come back and kind of help dad. So, I came back in 2018 and was farming alongside dad and got the opportunity to kind of build my own operation.”

That return to the family farm marked the beginning of Seven Creek Farms.

“So, I bought a herd of cows,” Pridgen said. “Then the opportunity presented itself to build some chicken houses. So, I was like, well, we’re already in the chicken business, so that kind of makes sense. So, I bought my first herd of cows in 2018 — that’s when Seven Creek Farms started. And then built the chicken houses. I signed the contract to build the chicken house the first part of 2020. So, I’ve been farming poultry since 2020, 2021.”

Even with different ventures along the way, Pridgen says agriculture has always been central to his life.

“I’ve been around agriculture basically my whole life in some capacity,” he said.

For Pridgen, farming carries a responsibility that extends far beyond the fence line.

“Knowing that what I’m doing is feeding somebody,” he said. “I feel like at some point you’re probably going to need a doctor. You’re probably going to need a pharmacist. Depending on how your life shakes out, you may need a lawyer. But you’re going to need a farmer at least once a day. You know — food, fiber, shelter, that kind of thing.”

That understanding fuels his passion not only to farm, but to educate others about agriculture.

“Just being able to make a difference and feed the world and educate people at the same time about why we do what we do,” Pridgen said. “It’s something that I never really intended to do. Being in a position where I can go and talk and do the things that I’ve been able to do wasn’t really in the bingo cards, but it’s just how the deck of cards shook out, and here we are.”

Despite the challenges, Pridgen says there’s nowhere else he’d rather be.

“Farming is hard,” he said. “It would be a lot easier most days to just use the degree that I got, sell fertilizer or chemicals or seeds, or I could be a loan officer at AgSouth or something. But there’s just something about being out here on this place.”

That connection runs deep.

“My family’s been here for 200 years farming the same dirt,” Pridgen said. “Even if I had to go back to town, I’d still try to find a way to be out here doing something. It’s an itch that you just can’t scratch unless you’re scratching it to the level that we’re trying to scratch it here.”

Being recognized with the Georgia Farm Bureau Achievement Award, he says, reflects more than individual effort.

“Being recognized for that award in itself is a pretty big undertaking,” Pridgen said. “But I don’t think I can take all the credit for that myself. Farming is a team effort these days.”

That team includes family, helpers, and Farm Bureau support.

“My dad’s on his operation, and he helps me on mine,” he said. “We’ve got a helper that helps both of us. The people in the local Farm Bureau support me with all the stuff that I do. So as much as it’s an individual award, I kind of feel like it was a win for everybody that’s helped me get to this point.”

After nearly a decade of involvement at a competitive Farm Bureau level, the recognition brought a moment of reflection.

“I’ve been doing Farm Bureau stuff for going on ten-ish years,” Pridgen said. “So it was cool to finally kind of see all that come full circle and give those guys opportunities to see their hard work pay off, because they have just as much to do with it as I do, I feel like.”

By: John Holcomb

From Hospital Halls to Farm Fields: Haley Scruggs Honored for Excellence in Agriculture

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Macon, GA |

For Haley Scruggs, life is anything but ordinary. By day, she’s a nurse practitioner specializing in vascular surgery—working long shifts, saving lives, and navigating the nonstop pace of hospital life. But when the scrubs come off, she steps into a very different role: fourth-generation farmer.

“Our farm is over a hundred years old,” said Scruggs. “We grow Christmas trees—choose and cut Christmas trees—pecans, and coastal Bermuda hay. But when I’m not here, I’m a nurse practitioner. So that is my full-time job. And this is my second full-time job. So, it keeps us very, very busy.”

That contrast—between the sterile hospital halls and the quiet beauty of the farm—is exactly what Scruggs says keeps her grounded.

“This is such a great way to just become grounded because that hospital can get very crazy and become very stressful,” she explained. “When you’re trying to save lives all day and handle patients’ situations, it is so nice to be able to come out and literally enjoy what God has given us and spend time on the farm with my family.”

Her unique story recently earned her top honors as the Georgia Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers & Ranchers Excellence in Agriculture Award winner—recognition she says left her nearly speechless.

“Honestly, I was completely speechless,” said Scruggs. “Tears filled my eyes. I could not have been more excited. This is such a tough competition. And any competition with Farm Bureau—when you make it to the top level—you’re not competing with someone they just drug off the street. These are very top competitors, who are all extremely active in agriculture and are passionate about what they do.”

That passion—both for healing and for growing—is what sets Scruggs apart and helps connect two very different communities that she says often don’t understand each other.

“People at the hospital see a nurse practitioner. They don’t see someone in agriculture,” she said. “They don’t understand everything else I’m doing behind the scenes and how we’re involved in the community with our farm. Same thing with people on the farm—they don’t understand that we actually all work full-time jobs. So I think with that award, it is very important to show people both in and out of agriculture how you can become involved in the community.”

That sense of community is what first drew her to Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers & Ranchers program—and what keeps her coming back.

“What an incredible experience the Young Farmer and Rancher program has been,” Scruggs said. “A lot of times you think farmers are old and there’s no one out there you can really reach out to. But that’s completely wrong. There are so many young farmers and ranchers from across the state. It’s absolutely incredible to know that you have that support out there with people who are your age—some a little older, some a little younger.”

Whether in a hospital gown or work boots, Scruggs proves that passion and purpose can thrive in more than one field—and that the line between healing people and feeding them is not as far apart as it seems.

By: Damon Jones

Why Healthy Hooves Matter: The Skilled Work of Georgia Farriers

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Clayton, GA |

Known for their strength and endurance, horses are often considered one of the most resilient animals on the farm. But despite their rugged appearance, there’s one part of their body that’s surprisingly fragile—and vitally important: their hooves.

“In horses, the hooves are probably just as important as the heart,” said Stephanie Branch of Branch Farms on Coleman River. “And that’s always been said, you know that the hooves do carry heartbeats in them. If you do not have healthy hooves, then you are going to be pulling from all other parts of the horse’s health.”

It’s why farriers—specialists in equine hoof care—play such a critical role in maintaining the overall wellbeing of the animals. Cade Rogers, who trims and shoes horses throughout northeast Georgia, says hoof care is where it all begins.

“Basically the easiest way to think about how important the farrier is, is a horse is a very big animal. And all that weight comes down to four little support beams,” Rogers explained. “You can have the healthiest horse in the world, and if his feet aren’t taken care of, he’s not going to be worth anything.”

Rogers says farriers do far more than just trim and shoe hooves. Their work requires precise attention to balance, structure, and movement—and a deep understanding of each horse’s anatomy and behavior. For many, it’s a skill honed over years of formal training and hands-on experience.

“As far as putting a shoe on that foot—you’re adding something that shouldn’t be there onto that foot,” said Rogers. “It has to flow with the horse. You throw a piece of metal on there the wrong way, it can easily start making interference. It takes a lot of skill.”

Even basic maintenance work can be a challenge. Trimming a horse may take 20 to 30 minutes, while shoeing can take well over an hour—especially if the horse is uncooperative or unfamiliar with the farrier.

“When I first started, it took me half a day to do one horse,” Rogers laughed. “But you’ll be surprised—once you’ve worked on them before, it becomes like maintenance work. It gets a lot easier.”

And while the job is physically demanding, those like Rogers and Branch believe it’s well worth the effort to ensure these animals stay sound and able to perform the tasks their owners ask of them.

“So, we’ve just got to stay up on that, make sure that they’re sound,” Branch said. “And for whatever we may be using the horse for, they’ve got to be able to fulfill that job.”

For both farriers and horse owners alike, it’s clear: healthy hooves are the foundation of a healthy horse.

By: John Holcomb

Rooted in Family, Rising in Leadership: Kylie Sizemore Wins GFB Discussion Meet

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Carnesville, GA |

Before the spotlight. Before the pressure of judges’ questions. There was simply home.

For Kylie Sizemore, that home was a family farm where agriculture wasn’t just a topic of conversation—it was a way of life. From an early age, she was surrounded by the rhythms and values of rural living: hard work, patience, and responsibility. And guiding her through it all was a strong support system of family members who saw her potential long before she stepped into any arena.

“I would say that my dad probably encouraged me the most when it came to agriculture and encouraging me to get involved in FFA,” Kylie said. “My older sister showed pigs, so of course I wanted to be like her and I wanted to show pigs, and that was really my start—showing pigs in 4-H. Then once I went to middle school, I showed pigs in FFA and became more involved doing leadership development events, LDEs, and career development events, CDEs. And that really is where I got my start in agriculture.”

That start paved the way for Kylie to compete in—and win—the 2025 Georgia Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers Discussion Meet, a competition that rewards not confrontation, but collaboration. But her journey to the state title was years in the making, and her family played a central role in every step.

“My family’s always encouraged me to be actively involved and just shoot for a hundred percent no matter what I’m doing,” she said. “I can remember in sixth grade I wanted to do meat judging in FFA and I started it and I didn’t like it, but my mom and dad were like, you can’t quit. Even with Discussion Meet and being involved in Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers, and the women’s committee here in my local Franklin County Farm Bureau chapter—it’s my family that has encouraged me to do more and be the best that I can be.”

That encouragement followed her all the way to this year’s state convention in Jekyll Island, where she decided to give the Discussion Meet another shot after taking a break for a few years.

“I love being a part of active conversation and I love getting to meet and mingle with new people,” she said. “I hadn’t been [to convention] the past couple years, and Discussion Meet is a great thing to do while I’m there. So I was just ready to get into it again.”

And while the competition may be solo on paper, Kylie is quick to point out it was very much a team effort—especially with her husband Willie by her side. A former Discussion Meet winner himself, Willie offered encouragement, coaching, and the occasional push when Kylie needed it most.

“Willie said, ‘It’s time for you to do Discussion Meet again and we’re gonna try to win.’ And I said, ‘We? We are gonna try to win?’” she laughed. “But it really was a team effort. As a question was drawn, we would go back to the room or go to a restaurant and talk about the topic. He would 100% help me prepare.”

Now, with the state title under her belt, Kylie’s eyes are set on the next challenge: competing on the national stage and continuing to serve as a voice for Georgia agriculture.

By: Ray D’Alessio

Pecan Growers Face Lingering Impacts of Hurricane Helene and a Challenging Growing Season

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Uvalda, GA |

In Montgomery County, the aftermath of Hurricane Helene is still being felt more than a year later, particularly in older pecan orchards that bore the brunt of the storm’s wrath. For growers here, the damage extends far beyond just a single harvest.

“The trees under the age of ten years old were pretty much spared, but we lost orchards like this and older were just major, significant damage,” says Andrew Sawyer, Southeast Area Pecan Agent. “Probably our greatest loss, as you see, the loss of the tree is your future income loss. So you have the crop loss of that year of 2024, but you really had the long term effects, the future income loss, which is if that tree was still there, what would it make?”

Despite the initial setback, growers remained optimistic early in the season. This spring and summer brought a glimmer of hope, as trees produced more flowers and nuts than expected. But that promise came with challenges of its own. Persistent rains during the same period created ideal conditions for one of the industry’s most costly diseases—pecan scab.

“We had so much rain through June and July. It wasn’t, it, it became a situation of, you know, we need to not necessarily maintain that scab. We could not get the fungicide on the tree long enough that the rain wouldn’t wash it off. We had a frequency of rainfall. It’s almost worse than the amount of rain in terms of disease, that period of leaf wetness, when that leaf just stays wet. It’s wet at night from the dew, and in the daytime you get a, if you get a rain at one o’clock, you’re potentially staying wet for a long time. That disease just continues,” says Sawyer.

Just as growers were grappling with the disease, the weather pattern flipped. By late August, rainfall had vanished across the state, placing tremendous stress on orchards without functioning irrigation systems.

“We’ve now been even at this location, fourteen weeks without reasonable rainfall. The whole state is just been without rain this fall, and an orchard that had to go without irrigation, you had that promise of a crop. Those tree, those feeder roots are growing straight to the surface to get that water. And once that rain shuts off, the feeder roots die back on a tree,” says Sawyer.

With hurricane damage, aggressive scab outbreaks, and a record-breaking drought all converging in the same season, the toll on the 2024 crop has only grown over time. As the harvest season nears its end, the overall yield continues to shrink.

“What wasn’t the best crop has just gotten shorter as it’s gone and it’s the weight. Your wagons, which weigh a certain amount in a normal year, that same wagon just doesn’t have the volume there. And again, now that we’re this far, we can see, the 2025 effects of scab. But this drought probably just as significant, and now you add in hurricane stress from the roots, everything,” says Sawyer.

By: John Holcomb