Growing in SWFL

What’s growing in Florida? A billion-dollar wine industry.

Summer gardens can be tricky to maintain in SWFL due to the rain and intense heat. So, we reached out to our friends at ECHO Farm for some advice on what to grow.

There’s a ghost making an appearance in the swamps of eastern Collier County, and you can catch a glimpse in broad daylight. This ghost is not an aberration nor anything scary, but it’s certainly something rare and wonderful: the ghost orchid.

This day-venture is a life-changing experience. ECHO Global Farm is passionately fighting to end world hunger. Researchers are creating appropriate technologies for farmers around the world to overcome environmental barriers that families face.

Hemp farming may take a new direction, with positive impacts on Florida’s agricultural exports. Hemp is used in making rope, clothing, animal feed and building products. Lawmakers are hopeful that this crop will help North Florida’s timber industry, which suffered greatly after Hurricane Michael.

University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) studies the agricultural, natural resource and food-industry trends as they relate to our economy.

Citrus farmers look to the Gulf Citrus Growers Association and its Executive Vice President Steve Smith for support and leadership. These farmers produce the orange juice and citrus fruits that people enjoy every day.

As we’re sitting at a restaurant table, a sweet dog approaches and nuzzles my daughter’s hand – she wants attention. We learn this is Sandy, the farm dog, who loves to make her rounds visiting the patrons.

A small, but mighty farmer’s market in downtown Punta Gorda has been voted best small farmer’s market in the state of Florida for good reason. With live music and vendors of all kinds, this market is nestled in front of the Charlotte County Courthouse.

Scientists at University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) are researching ways to grow healthy, disease-free citrus trees.