It’s been an interesting but long week here in Washington D. C. Like other farm groups in town this week our modest group of farm broadcasters from across the land hit a rare moment with both Senate and House Ag Committee Markup sessions for the Farm Bill happening just one day apart. It appears this may be the first time ever Read the rest of this entry »
After a long day and night engaged in Farm Bill Markup with his fellow committee members, Florida’s only member on the House Agriculture Committee, Congressman Ted Yoho, spent a few moments with Southeast AgNet after speaking to a Florida Farm Bureau breakfast group also in DC this week. Click to hear Yoho’s comments about the Markup now that it’s finally over, what he has to say about hotly debated amendments, and certain Read the rest of this entry »
It was another marathon day of mark up session as the House Agriculture Committee did what it came for. Here’s the official release from the Committee’s press office:
WASHINGTON – May 16, 2013 – Today, Chairman Frank Lucas of Oklahoma and Ranking Member Collin Peterson of Minnesota issued the following statements after the House Agriculture Committee approved H.R. 1947, the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management (FARRM) Act of 2013, by a large, bipartisan vote of 36-10. Committee Members also adopted, by voice vote, an Read the rest of this entry »
In this writing, Florida’s Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam continues his educational outreach effort to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the April 2, 1513 landing of Juan Ponce de León on our shores, and the impact that arrival has had on our state’s rich agricultural history. This is a real treat for anyone interested in the real story behind the so-called “Sunshine State”! Read the rest of this entry »
Rich Kottmeyer, Global Agriculture & Food Production Leader at Accenture was one of the speakers at the Bayer CropScience Ag Issues Forum earlier this week. Accenture is a global consulting firm, and Rich has some interesting insights into the big picture when it comes to the global food challenge in the years ahead, and how farmers and agriculture as a whole need to adjust its messaging to consumers to get more urban buy-in for new farming technologies. Download Audio
Catching up with Acting Chief of USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Jason Weller this week at the Commodity Classic in Kissimmee, we discussed his initiatives in the job and the potential impacts of sequestration as the budget battle in Washington continues to brew. Weller was recently appointed as Acting Chief after the retirement of Dave White. Download Audio
Southeast AgNet is proud to announce Elayna Rexrode to fill the new role as Vice President of Operations for both Southeast AgNet, Inc., and Southeast AgNet Publications, Inc. Rexrode will be working with owners Gary Cooper and Robin Loftin to help manage recent growth in AgNet’s media properties and to help develop future projects with the company. She has plenty of successful hands-on experience in print, electronic media, events and personnel management, and we look forward to her bringing those skills into our world. Welcome aboard Elayna!
Congratulations to Citrus Expo attendee Jerry Kiella of JP Kiella Groves! He is the winner of the drawing for a $100 Cabela’s gift card for completing the 2012 Citrus Expo survey.
Congratulations to Citrus Expo exhibitor Dawn Smith with PNC Bank! She is the winner of the drawing for a $100 Cabela’s gift card for completing the 2012 Citrus Expo survey.
When Parke Wright stopped by the Southeast AgNet exhibit during Citrus Expo 2012 in August, he explained his connections with a big food show exhibition in Saudi Arabia, where he has developed many contacts in business and government. In recent days we received these photos from Parke (wearing the cowboy hat) as he worked a “Fresh From Florida” exhibit there. As far as we know, it has so far been Read the rest of this entry »
Consumption of specialty citrus is up, but Florida’s production is down, Citrus Expo speaker Allen Morris says. He explains the problem and offers a solution in this report.
With the addition of Texas hold ‘em poker, a flashy red carpet entrance and more prizes than in previous years, the Casino Night Fundraiser for Florida FFA was a huge hit! The grand prize winner of the night was Ed Lounds of Tessenderlo/Kerley, who took home a $500 Visa gift card sponsored by Farm Credit and a wine and dinner gift basket courtesy of The Rustycan Co. Other prize winners were: Read the rest of this entry »
Two lucky attendees took home the grand-prize giveaways on the second day of Citrus Expo. Frank Vega of Car Two DBA Paul Inc. and Gary Russ of Russ Citrus Groves Ltd. each won a 7-in-1 smoker/cooker and a rod and Salt Striker reel, courtesy of Cabela’s.
Foliar nutrients have gotten much publicity in recent years for their ability to help keep HLB-infected citrus trees productive. At Citrus Expo, University of Florida researcher Tim Spann says HLB management also requires overall good horticultural management. He adds that a grove that wasn’t well cared for before HLB infection won’t become a good grove after HLB infection. He summarizes those points in this report.
Another successful Citrus Expo has come to a close. Are you a fan of Southeast AgNet on facebook yet? Check out the links below to our newly posted photo albums from Citrus Expo on our facebook page:
Pepe Peruyero of J & K Canine Academy brought one of his canine canker detection dogs to today’s seminar session at Citrus Expo here in Ft. Myers. I talked with Pepe about how this program started and where it’s at today.
It’s the final day of the 2012 Citrus Expo as the trade show opens at 8:00 this morning and runs until 2:00 this afternoon. During yesterday’s trade show, the winner of the gun safe provided by Everglades Farm Equipment was announced as David Wheeler of Lake Placid. So our thanks again to Everglades Farm Equipment for once again providing the safe, which growers who preregsitered for the Expo were eligible to win.
Marshall Hartley of Hartley Farm was the winner of this year’s Highwaymen painting giveaway at Citrus Expo. The citrus-themed piece is by Highwaymen painter Kelvin Hair.
We saw a good crowd enjoy the big trade show and various seminars during day one of the 2012 Citrus Expo, and one of those in attendance came all the way from Washington D.C. Deputy Under Secretary of Marketing and Regulatory Programs, Rebecca Blue, was in the state not only to attend Citrus Expo but also to visit a few farms. I talked with her about the message USDA has for growers.
Lunch is being served here at the first day of the 2012 Citrus Expo in Ft. Myers as it’s delicious ribs which folks are lined for. The meals are once again being prepared by Buddy Sullivan and his staff who is holding one of the ribs before cutting it up for attendees to enjoy. There is still plenty of time to attend Citrus Expo here at the Lee Civic Center as it’s open until 4:00pm today and runs from 8:00am until 2:00pm Thursday.
It’s day one of the 2012 Citrus Expo as a good crowd continues to come in for the bigger than ever trade show and various seminars which will take over the two-day event. Yara North America, our online coverage sponsor this year, is just one of the many companies here as Bill Easterwood, Jerry Southwell, and Arne Skjaerpe are roaming the trade show floor talking with growers. I caught up with Jerry who told me what the message is they are trying to get out to growers.
From trucks, to tractors, pumps and lots more, Citrus Expo 2012 is an event growers won’t want to miss as the Lee Civic Center in Ft. Myers is just about full of exhibitors that are looking forward to talking with citrus growers. To learn more about this years event, which takes place Wednesday & Thursday, go to www.citrusexpo.net.