Florida Conference Key Note Speaker One of Time Magazines Top 100

Urban farming is a very hot topic in the country, providing locally grown foods to areas that have little access. The Florida Small Farms and Alternative Enterprises Conference will have a nationally recognized key note speaker, Will Allen to speak about his success in this area.

Allen is the founder and CEO of Growing Power, Inc. in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and is leading the "good food revolution". He was just recognized as a "hero" and one of Time Magazine's 100 World's Most Influential People for his efforts to secure healthy and affordable food for all.

We are so fortunate to have this opportunity to hear Will Allen right here in Florida at the annual conference! The conference will be held July 31 and August 1 at the Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee. Registration is open now at http://smallfarms.ifas.ufl.edu

Another Disease Attacks Florida Citrus

This week the USDA announced the discovery of Citrus Black Spot, the latest major disease to become a destructive pest to the citrus crop of Florida. Major diseases currently present are tristeza, blight, greasy spot, Alternaria brown spot, Phytophthora- induced diseases, melanose, scab, postbloom fruit drop, citrus canker and Huanglongbing (citrus greening).

A commercial grove in Collier County was the location of the recent discovery of Citrus Black Spot, a fungal disease that causes dark speckled spots or blotches on the rinds of fruit. Valencia orange and lemon are the most susceptible varieties of citrus for this fungus.

Before coming to Florida this disease has been a significant production problem in Southeast Asia, Africa, South America and Australia. It is spread in nursery stock and in dead leaves in the groves, and can be controlled by using protective fungicide treatments and inspecting nursery stock.

For more information see the University of Florida EDIS publication #PP213.