Skip to main content
IFAS ExtensionUniversity of Florida
Login
Photo of Robert Hochmuth

Robert Hochmuth

Specialized Agent

Send Email

Robert Hochmuth

Orcid ID0000-0002-6571-3226

Specialized Agent

SVAEC Profile

Publications

thumbnail for publication: An Extensionist’s Guide to Farm and Site Visits

An Extensionist’s Guide to Farm and Site Visits

Marcelo Wallau, Bob Hochmuth, Tatiana Sanchez-Jones, Mark Warren, Carissa Wickens, Prissy Fletcher, and Cheryl Mackowiak

Farm and site visits are a major component of Extension work, whether as a county faculty or state specialist. They serve various purposes, such as informal check-ins, relationship building, problem solving, sharing technology, and information collection. While time-consuming, farm visits are often the most effective method for addressing problems and developing deeper connections with stakeholders (Petrzelka, Padgitt, and Windestenn, 1999). These visits provide firsthand knowledge of the issues clients face and are effective in establishing collaborations, assessing needs, understanding agricultural production systems, and validating research applications (Oakley and Garforth, 1985; Seevers and Graham, 2012). This publication explores different facets of farm and site visits, including preparation before the visit, the investigative (problem-solving) process during the visit, and post-visit procedures. Additional resources are included to support client visits and troubleshooting.

thumbnail for publication: Management of Alternaria Leaf Blight of Carrot for Florida Conventional and Organic Producers

Management of Alternaria Leaf Blight of Carrot for Florida Conventional and Organic Producers

Chun-Hsiang (Sean) Wang, Mason J. Newark, Nicholas S. Dufault, Jeffrey A. Rollins, Fanny B. Iriarte, Robert Hochmuth, Danielle Treadwell, yMathews Paret

Alternaria leaf blight is a persistent and economically damaging foliar disease of cultivated carrot in Florida, capable of causing disease severity up to 95% and leading to significant yield loss through defoliation and mechanical harvest failure. This publication provides commercial carrot producers, county Extension faculty, crop consultants, and other agricultural professionals with current information on the disease. Integrated management strategies are detailed, including cultural controls, certified seed selection, and specific fungicide programs tailored for both conventional and USDA-certified organic production systems. Emphasis is placed on proper disease diagnosis and fungicide resistance management to assist producers in making effective management decisions.

thumbnail for publication: Ginger, Galangal, and Turmeric Production in Florida

Ginger, Galangal, and Turmeric Production in Florida

Paul Fisher, Rosanna Freyre, Celina Gómez, Brian Pearson, Tatiana Sanchez-Jones, Shawn Steed, Wanda Laughlin, Robert Hochmuth, Jeff Wasielewski, Deah Lieurance, Carrie Harmon, Mathews Paret, Lance Osborne, Kevin Athearn, Steven Sargent, Mengzi Zhang

Ginger, galangal, and turmeric (Figure 1) are emerging crops for Florida production. All of these plants are in the Zingiberaceae family and share most aspects of their production. This publication describes production in containers or the field under Florida conditions to help guide growers interested in ginger, turmeric, and galangal production or expanding their market. All species have been evaluated by the UF/IFAS Assessment of Non-native Plants in Florida’s Natural Areas (UF/IFAS Assessment) using the Predictive Tool (an invasion risk assessment) and all present a low risk of invasion in Florida (https://assessment.ifas.ufl.edu).

thumbnail for publication: Designs for Small-Scale Postharvest Washing of Ginger/Turmeric Rhizomes

Designs for Small-Scale Postharvest Washing of Ginger/Turmeric Rhizomes

Maria Paz Kinslow, Jacob Muller, Daniel Crawford, Raúl Cabezón, Harrison Meekins, Robert Hochmuth, Maria Paz Kinslow, Paul R. Fisher, yWanda L. Laughlin

Manually washing the rhizomes of ginger and turmeric is a labor-intensive process that adds significantly to the cost of final harvested products. Commercially available automatic cleaning equipment makes the postharvest process easier, but only at a price and scale that would benefit large-scale operations. Our objective was to design and test rhizome cleaning equipment aimed at small farmers and to compare this with manual cleaning. This publication describes tips for harvest and presents designs of cleaning equipment that are easy for a small farmer to build and maintain while reducing labor costs.

thumbnail for publication: General Aspects of Plant Growth—Florida Greenhouse Vegetable Production Handbook, Vol 3

General Aspects of Plant Growth—Florida Greenhouse Vegetable Production Handbook, Vol 3

George Hochmuth
Otros contactos: Robert Hochmuth

This text discusses the critical factors for achieving profitable greenhouse vegetable production by optimizing plant growth processes, primarily focusing on photosynthesis. Photosynthesis, which converts light, carbon dioxide, and water into sugars and oxygen, is influenced by light intensity, CO2 levels, temperature, and water supply. The text explains that managing these factors—such as using shading to control temperature, enhancing CO2 levels, and ensuring adequate water—can maximize photosynthesis and plant growth. Additionally, it touches on the importance of minimizing nutrient deficiencies, diseases, and mechanical damage to maintain healthy photosynthetic activity. The ultimate goal for greenhouse managers is to balance photosynthesis and respiration to produce high yields of quality vegetables.

thumbnail for publication: Disaster Assistance for Agriculture in Florida following Hurricane Idalia

Disaster Assistance for Agriculture in Florida following Hurricane Idalia

Shivendra Kumar, Kevin Athearn, Christa Court, Angela Lindsey, Kelly Aue, Lisa Strange, Sudeep Sidhu, Joel Love, Robert Hochmuth, Erin Jones, Emily Beach, Keith Wynn, Dan Fenneman, Jay Capasso, and Eric Simonne

Multiple federal and state agencies provide assistance to qualified agricultural producers following a natural disaster, such as a hurricane. However, the programs change over time, and many producers are not aware of the programs available. The purpose of this publication is to list and briefly describe disaster assistance resources available to agricultural producers in Florida after Hurricane Idalia. To the extent that some information remains the same, this publication could provide guidance to Extension agents, nongovernmental organizations, and producers impacted by future hurricanes. The information was compiled from websites, government documents, and discussions with government agency representatives following Hurricane Idalia.