TAMPA, FL -- Bitter cold blasted Florida as far south as Homestead Dec. 27 and in the early hours of Dec. 28. It was the coldest night of what has to date been one of the more brutal Decembers in state history. Low temperature records were shattered in several areas in Florida, and the thermometer is again expected to dip below freezing Dec. 28-29 in parts of the state.

TAMPA, FL -- There is good news and bad news for Florida farmers. The bad news is that yet another cold front -- the third of this month -- is expected to frost the state Dec. 27-29. The good news, according to the National Weather Service station, here, is that the cold should be the last severe front of the season.

For vegetable and berry growers along California's southern and central coast, there are some short-term downsides to the heavy rainfall received over a weeklong period beginning about mid-December. But many farmers statewide will benefit from an improved water outlook for 2010, as significant amounts of rain, as well as snow in the Sierra Mountains, will assure them of better water deliveries than they experienced in 2010.

The owners of South Africa's ALG Estates, one of that country’s leading producers and exporters of citrus, have been awarded the prestigious Farmer of the Year Award by the society of Agricultural Writers of South Africa. The annual award, now in its 33rd year, is among the country’s more coveted agricultural prizes.

Brothers Gerrit and Alwyn van der Merwe along with Gerrit van der Merwe Jr. earned the accolades based on their farming and scientific agricultural merit and exemplary achievements with good planning and dedication in all kinds of conditions and environments.

Luther Burbank, an agricultural pioneer, horticulturist and botanist, was responsible for successfully developing over 800 plant varieties throughout his long career. Among some of the more popular species were the Freestone peach, Santa Rosa plum, Wickson plum, Flaming Gold nectarine and the popular Shasta daisy.

In the 1870s, Mr. Burbank was also responsible for developing the russet potato. These long, cylindrical, heavily netted gems eventually became quite popular with consumers.

Let the contest begin. The 2011 Potato Lover's Month Retail Display Contest is officially open.

Every February for 20 consecutive years, thousands of produce aisles around the country become the Mecca for Idaho potato lovers. Produce managers put their merchandising skills to the test in an attempt to create the top tater display during the Idaho Potato Commission’s Potato Lover’s Month Retail Display Contest.