Fruits and vegetables are Georgia's number-two cash crop, and the popularity of small fruits like blackberries, strawberries and citrus even extends further than commercial production.
Small fruits continue to be an important commodity, and UGA Extension provides both farmers and home gardeners a variety of information to help have the best output with the least amount of labor possible.
For information about home garden fruit production, see our Lawn & Garden: Fruits and Vegetables section.
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Lab Testing and Analysis Services Testing for soil, plant tissue, water quality, animal waste, feeds and forages, pesticides, and much more!
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On-Site and Telephone Consultation Available in many county offices for ag producers.
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Pesticide Safety Education Program Topics include pest identification, storage and disposal, pesticide drift and runoff prevention, water quality protection, and food safety.
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Production Meetings Updates on local issues for growers and producers.
- Commercial Tomato Production Handbook (B 1312) This publication is a joint effort of the seven disciplines that comprise the Georgia Vegetable Team. It is comprised of 14 topics on tomato, including history of tomato production, cultural practices…
- Weights and Processed Yields of Fruits and Vegetables (C 780) Marketing fresh fruits and vegetables at farmers markets, roadside markets, and pick-your-own farms is an important and growing method of marketing. However, many of the containers used are not practi…
- Home Garden Series: Home Garden Blueberries (C 946) Under good management, the native Georgia rabbiteye blueberry bushes will produce some fruit the second or third year after transplanting. By the sixth year they will yield as much as 2 gallons each a…
- Minor Fruits and Nuts in Georgia (B 992) Many types of fruits and nuts can be grown in Georgia due to our mild climate. This publication provides an outline of the culture and management of the exotic and uncommon fruits and nuts that can be…
Websites
UGA-affiliated sites
Strawberry News Extension blog with production guides, IPM guide, and current updates on strawberry production in Georgia.
UGA Small Fruit Program Strives to increase the efficiency of production systems by improving small fruit production management practices in Georgia.
Southern Region Small Fruit Consortium Newsletters related to the production and marketing of small fruits.
Sustainable Agriculture at UGA Brings together information on sustainable agriculture including organic agriculture, pollinators, and other resources.
UGA Department of Horticulture Learn more about the horticulture department at the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.
UGA Department of Plant Pathology Learn more about the plant pathology department at the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.
Commodity Teams at CAES Teams made up of research scientists and extension specialists work together to provide the latest technology and information for efficient, profitable production of some of Georgia's most valuable commodities.
External Sites
Blackberry and Raspberry Information (NC State) Instructional resources for commercial and home growers including production recommendations, pest management, and weather information.
Georgia Strawberry Growers Association on Facebook Catalogs and links to state growers.
North American Raspberry and Blackberry Association Promotes raspberry and blackberry growth and consumption. Provides selection, storage tips, and recipes for consumers. Provides research foundation, networking, and conferences for members.
North American Strawberry Growers Association Promotes research and represents growers' interests before regulatory and legislative bodies.
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New Viticulture Specialist
Sarah Lowder joined the Department of Horticulture in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences this spring as the state’s only viticulturist, a position dedicated to providing the best methods for the cultivation and harvest of wine grapes.
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Blueberry Breeding
Georgia is well-known as the Peach State, but since 1949 plant breeders at the University of Georgia have been on a blue streak, bringing more than 50 blueberry varieties to market.
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Reducing Food Waste
Consumers hold high standards for fresh food, which farmers aim to meet, but hot summer temperatures and long-haul deliveries can degrade quality even before produce makes it into stores and shipment rejection is a familiar reality in the horticultural industry.
| Farm Gate Values - All Commodities | |
|---|---|
| County Name | Value |
| Colquitt | $549,757,467 |
| Hart | 390,813,770 |
| Mitchell | 389,136,525 |
| Franklin | 385,810,618 |
| Tattnall | 371,350,254 |
| Madison | 319,949,101 |
| Decatur | 312,884,587 |
| Coffee | 307,975,080 |
| Macon | 288,427,408 |
| Oglethorpe | 270,727,824 |
| State Total: | $14,693,935,618 |
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Displaying farm gate values for 2021. Values are tallied in October for the previous year. |
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