FLORIDA GROWERS PROTECT CROPS

Posted: Februrary 5, 2009

Posted by: examiner.com

Written by: Len Erickson

The recent cold weather and freezing temperatures might be uncomfortable for most but Florida farmers have good reason to protect their crops from weather damage. You might think it’s because that’s their livelihood and that is true. What many people don’t realize, those crops getting to market protects consumers also. According to Florida Agriculture Commissioner Charles Bronson, Florida growers produce nearly all of the country’s domestically produced fresh fruits and vegetables during the winter months.

“Consumers all across the United States count on Florida’s farmers to provide them with fresh produce in the dead of winter,” Bronson said. “Our state’s growers are continuing the speedy harvest of their products to help prevent or reduce crop losses.”

Florida is at the peak of harvest season for many fruits and vegetables. Crops at risk include citrus, strawberries, blueberries, tomatoes, snap beans, celery, sweet corn, cucumbers, eggplant, endive/escarole, peppers, radishes and squash, tropical fish and horticulture.

The state’s agricultural producers face one more night of freezing weather this week that could impact crops as far south as the Lake Okeechobee area.

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