Florida Farm Bureau played a big role in The American Farm Bureau Federation’s successful, six-month campaign to oppose cap-and-trade climate change legislation. And national affairs coordinator for the Florida Farm Bureau Federation, Adam Basford, says the Don’t CAP Our Future campaign culminated last week when farmer and rancher members from across the country presented key lawmakers some of the 100,000 grassroots calls-to-action gathered in opposition to the issue.
A survey conducted by the American Farm Bureau Federation showed that profitability, increasing government regulations and the impact of activist groups are the top concerns of America’s leading young farmers and ranchers. But committee chair, Will Gilmer, says a high majority of them also see the importance of communicating their message.
Ocala, FL — Southeast AgNet Publications Inc. announced the acquisition of Florida Science Source Inc., a citrus book publishing and reseller operation. It bought the business from founder Will Wardowski and his wife Christie.
Wardowski is well known in citrus circles all over the world as a post-harvest expert. He was the first editor of Fresh Citrus Fruits 1st edition, published in New York in 1986. Known to citrus packers as “The Green Bible,” Fresh Citrus Fruits 1st and 2nd editions include more than 40 authors from around the world. Read the rest of this entry »
Over the past few years cotton producers have faced numerous challenges, but President and CEO of the National Cotton Council, Mark Lange says he believes the industry has come together as a collective group to assist growers in maintaining their production level.
Florida agriculture industry volunteers are encouraged to take part in the seventh annual Agriculture Literacy Day, to be held Tuesday March 23, 2010. More information and online registration is available on Florida Agriculture in the Classroom’s website.
Farm Bureau members from across the state will be joining together Tuesday, March 16 for Farm Bureau day in Tallahassee. Florida Farm Bureau director of state legislative affairs, Ben Parks, says this event is a major citizens lobbying effort at our state capitol. Click here for the details.
For this week’s Georgia Legislative Report, Georgia Agribusiness Council’s Vice President of Public Affairs, Bryan Tolar, says the main issues remain budget and water.
The second week of the 2010 Florida Legislative Session was a good one for agriculture as Florida Farm Bureau director of state legislative affairs, Ben Parks, says they saw good progress on their General Ag Bill.
Florida’s Department of Agriculture Division of Plant Industry has issued a pest alert as a new exotic mealybug has been found in southern Florida, marking the first time that the pest has been found in the United States.
The U.S. Senate this week approved a disaster package which would help farmers affected by weather-related disasters, as this was actually a part of the Tax Extenders Act of 2009.
March 12th is the signup deadline for 2010 funding through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program Organic Initiative, as USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service Conservation Agronomist Eddie Jolley in Alabama says NRCS can provide you some basic guidance.
As the EPA takes some time to go back for another look at the proposed nutrient criteria for Florida waters, Commissioner of Agriculture Charles Bronson says one of the main concerns is whether the standards are based on science and if they can realistically ever be met.
The Parental Authority bill before the Florida Legislature this session is one that’s being watched closely by the Florida Cattlemen’s Association and others in agriculture across the state. And State Representative Mike Horner of Kissimmee told me it’s an issue that’s near and dear to his heart.
The recent news of Brazil announcing measures which affect the U.S. cotton industry has drawn concern from certain Senators as Tyron Spearman has the story.
During his recent address to the School Nutrition Association regarding the reauthorization of the Child Nutrition Act, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, took the opportunity to recognize farmers and their efforts.
Ken Morgan, program specialist with the Florida Natural Resources Conservation Service wants to remind producers that there are some upcoming deadlines for 2010 funding. Applications for the Farm and Ranch Land Protection Program are due March 11, 2010. And sign up for the Organic Initiative ends March 12, 2010.
Tyron Spearman today has the latest peanut market information and also looks at why many crops this year will not be receiving counter-cyclical payments.
There has been a pause in the action regarding the EPA’s proposed nutrient water quality standards. Thanks in part to an effort headed up by District 2 Florida State Representative, Dave Murzin.
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Agriculture has designated 98 counties in Georgia as primary natural disaster areas due to excessive rainfall that occurred from September 2009, and continuing.
With the Florida Legislature now in full swing for the 2010 session, Ag Commissioner Charles Bronson says the budget issues they are facing are extremely difficult, but he hopes our representatives remember what a mainstay agriculture is to the Florida economy.
Agricultural Research Service scientists are working to develop new and tasty whole-grain oat or barley breads that offer antioxidants, fiber, and other components in an array different from that found in traditional whole-wheat breads.
USDA has announced they will issue approximately $121 million in partial 2009-crop counter-cyclical payments to producers with upland cotton and peanut base acres enrolled in USDA’s Direct and Counter-cyclical Payment (DCP) program, as Tyron Spearman has the details.
For more information on the direct and counter-cyclical payment programs including a table displaying the target price, projected average market price, loan rate, direct payment rate, effective price and projected counter-cyclical rates, visit your local FSA office or the FSA DCP Website: www.fsa.usda.gov/dcp.
Many are looking forward to seeing the results of USDA’s spring planting survey which will be released on March 31st, but when it comes to peanuts, Randy Griggs with the Alabama Peanut Producers Association said it’s really undetermined at this point as to whether growers will increase their acreage much this year.
And Ken Barton with the Florida Peanut Producers Association does not expect to see much of an acreage difference in his state this year.
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in Florida is reminding produces that the deadline for 2010 funding opportunities for the Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program is coming up March 11, 2010.
Florida Farm Bureau played a big role in The American Farm Bureau Federation’s successful, six-month campaign to oppose cap-and-trade climate change legislation. And national affairs coordinator for the Florida Farm Bureau Federation, Adam Basford, says the Don’t CAP Our Future campaign culminated last week when farmer and rancher members from across the country presented key lawmakers some of the 100,000 grassroots calls-to-action gathered in opposition to the issue.
Wardowski is well known in citrus circles all over the world as a post-harvest expert. He was the first editor of Fresh Citrus Fruits 1st edition, published in New York in 1986. Known to citrus packers as “The Green Bible,” Fresh Citrus Fruits 1st and 2nd editions include more than 40 authors from around the world. 
Florida agriculture industry volunteers are encouraged to take part in the seventh annual Agriculture Literacy Day, to be held Tuesday March 23, 2010. More information and online registration is available on Florida Agriculture in the Classroom’s 
March 12th is the signup deadline for 2010 funding through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program Organic Initiative, as USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service Conservation Agronomist Eddie Jolley in Alabama says NRCS can provide you some basic guidance.
As the EPA takes some time to go back for another look at the proposed nutrient criteria for Florida waters, Commissioner of Agriculture Charles Bronson says one of the main concerns is whether the standards are based on science and if they can realistically ever be met.
The Parental Authority bill before the Florida Legislature this session is one that’s being watched closely by the Florida Cattlemen’s Association and others in agriculture across the state. And State Representative Mike Horner of Kissimmee told me it’s an issue that’s near and dear to his heart.
During his recent address to the School Nutrition Association regarding the reauthorization of the Child Nutrition Act, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, took the opportunity to recognize farmers and their efforts. 
Ken Morgan, program specialist with the Florida Natural Resources Conservation Service wants to remind producers that there are some upcoming deadlines for 2010 funding. Applications for the Farm and Ranch Land Protection Program are due March 11, 2010. And sign up for the Organic Initiative ends March 12, 2010.
Tyron Spearman today has the latest peanut market information and also looks at why many crops this year will not be receiving counter-cyclical payments.
There has been a pause in the action regarding the EPA’s proposed nutrient water quality standards. Thanks in part to an effort headed up by District 2 Florida State Representative, Dave Murzin. 
USDA has announced they will issue approximately $121 million in partial 2009-crop counter-cyclical payments to producers with upland cotton and peanut base acres enrolled in USDA’s Direct and Counter-cyclical Payment (DCP) program, as Tyron Spearman has the details.
Many are looking forward to seeing the results of USDA’s spring planting survey which will be released on March 31st, but when it comes to peanuts, Randy Griggs with the Alabama Peanut Producers Association said it’s really undetermined at this point as to whether growers will increase their acreage much this year. 
And Ken Barton with the Florida Peanut Producers Association does not expect to see much of an acreage difference in his state this year.
