Florida Agriculture Commissioner Charles Bronson says he remains confident in the safety of Florida tomatoes as the Food and Drug Administration continues to look for the source of tomatoes tainted with salmonella that made hundreds sick in dozens of states, Report(1:00 mp3)
Farm Bill Saga Finally Over
The vote-veto-vote-veto-vote tango of the 2008 Farm Bill finally came to an end last week and now USDA can get down to the business of full implementation. Report(1:00 mp3)
FL Commissioner’s Spotlight on CARES
Florida Agriculture Commissioner Charles Bronson talks about the Suwannee River Partnership CARES recognition event scheduled for July 1 at the Stansel Farm and Nursery in Wellborn. Information about the event is available online here. Visit www.suwannee.org for information about the Suwannee River Partnership CARES program. Report (1:00 mp3)
Farm Bill Made Law / Sign-up Time for USDA
In today’s report Tyron Spearman talks about the passing of the Farm Bill into law and also tells us about the sign-up time for the USDA Crop Disaster Assistance for those that suffered quality losses to their crops.  Report (1:30 mp3)
Highlands Co Citrus Leader Mason Smoak Dies in Plane Crash
We regret to pass on this information…News from Highlands County Citrus Growers’ Association’s Ray Royce late Friday June 20, who wrote: “…we lost a great father, husband and friend in Mason Smoak to an airplane crash in Lake Placid. Mason who was currently serving as both the President of the Highlands County Citrus Growers Association and the Chairman of the …
FL Cattlemen Keeping Tabs on Legislature
At this years Florida Cattlemen’s Association Convention those attending were able to get a legislative report from their Director of Legislative Affairs Sam Ard. Report (1:00 mp3)
FDOC Budget Commits to Citrus Research Support
In these reports, follow up to this week’s Florida Citrus Commission meeting where the Florida Department of Citrus budget was tentatively approved to potentially include up to 20 million dollars for citrus research as needed. Chairman Ben Albritton Jr talks more about the reasons behind the decision, and how growers and industry are pulling together to address their biggest concerns …
FL WHIP Signup Reminder
Landowners in Florida still have one more week to apply for the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program, or WHIP, under the current batching period. The cutoff date is June 27 at the close of business at any county NRCS office. Report (:30 mp3)
Farm Bill Tax Breaks
The 2008 Farm Bill contains some new tax incentives for conservation and energy. Report (1:00 mp3)
FL Seeing Fewer Beef Checkoff Dollars
Today is the last day for the annual Florida Cattlemen’s Association Convention, but at yesterday’s Board of Directors meeting, those in attendance heard a report on the beef checkoff from Florida Beef Council Chairman Brad Etheridge. Report (1:00 mp3)