With the 2013 Florida Legislative Session officially in the books, we take a look at how some of the $74.5 billion in the 2014 state budget will be focused on agricultural issues.
The 60-day Florida Legislative Session wrapped up last Friday in Tallahassee as Sam Ard, Director of Governmental Affairs for the Florida Cattlemen’s Association, said it was a good session for cattlemen across the state.
The keystone pipeline is a disaster for farmers. Everett Griner explains why.
The farm bill is back in the news again as markups are being discussed. Tyron Spearman has the latest along with an update on the Argentina peanut crop.
Farm Bill:
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Argentina:
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From Florida Citrus Mutual:
LAKELAND, Fla. (May 3, 2013) – The state Legislature today agreed to fund $9.5 million in research related activities to combat a terrifying disease known as HLB, or citrus greening, that threatens to wipe out Florida’s $9 billion citrus industry and its 76,000 jobs.
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Research is working to discover just how your body processes nutrients in order to test the efficacy of functional foods and develop foods that help solve some health concerns people face today.
WASHINGTON (May 2, 2013) — The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) is appalled to learn that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) continues to illegally release information on cattle operations to the activist groups Earth Justice, the Pew Charitable Trust and the Natural Resources Defense Council. In this latest action, the agency again admitted Read the rest of this entry »
Over 100 people packed into a tent under cloudy, drizzly conditions Thursday afternoon for the announcement of the StrikeForce for Rural Growth and Opportunity in Alabama at the AL Hooks Produce farm near Shorter.
The primary goal of the StrikeForce initiative is to increase partnership with rural communities and leverage community resources in targeted, persistent poverty areas. Speakers at the event included various local and state folks as I was able to catch up with most of them afterwards. That includes Dr. William Puckett, NRCS State Conservationist in Alabama.
According to a new study, teens who eat a high-protein lean pork breakfast may consume fewer sugary snacks later in the day.
Research is continuing and new control methods are now being studied. Everett Griner tells us what some of this research has developed.
WASHINGTON, May 2, 2013-The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today released a comprehensive scientific report on honey bee health. The report states that there are multiple factors playing a role in honey bee colony declines, including parasites and disease, genetics, poor nutrition and pesticide exposure.
The legislation needed for the state to impose its own water-quality standards across Florida has passed both the Senate and more recently the House, and is now headed to the desk of Gov. Rick Scott.
In the final installment of our series, “Florida Agriculture – 500 Years in the Making,” today Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam talks about the origins of Florida’s Wild Hogs.
Click Here to hear Putnam tell numerous other interesting stories about Florida’s agricultural history.
We are still waiting on the 2012 Farm Bill. That’s nothing new! Everett Griner explains.
WASHINGTON, May 1, 2013 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated three counties in Florida as primary natural disaster areas due to damages and losses caused by the recent drought. Read the rest of this entry »
Applications for the Conservation Stewardship Program need to be submitted by May 31 to your local Natural Resources Conservation Service office to be considered for this year’s funding.
Tallahassee, FL – Surrounded by more than 50 kids from Apalachee Tapestry Magnet School of the Arts, Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam read “Florida’s Farm History!” in the historic Senate Chambers of the Old Capitol.
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We are about two weeks away from finally having some more movement in Congress regarding the Farm Bill as House Ag Committee Chairman Frank Lucas is set to begin markup of the bill on May 15.
Ag teachers in the classroom is a declining problem. Everett Griner talks about this today.
USDA’s latest Food Price Outlook revealed that while consumers will see an increase in their grocery bill this year, it will not be as much as originally predicted. USDA Economist Ricky Volpe gives us the details in the following two reports.
Dr. Billy Powell with the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association talks about their recent visit to our nation’s capitol where they were able to meet with key congressional and agency folks to talk about policy priorities of the industry.
National corn planting is lagging way behind, and despite the fact that the southeast is faring a bit better, the delays are lending to uncertainty in the market. Doug Kleweno, Southern Region Director for the National Ag Statistics Service and USDA Meteorologist Brad Rippey have the details.
Lawmakers have agreed upon a $74 billion budget deal for the fiscal year that begins July 1, allowing the session to wrap up on time, this Friday, May 3.
Weather conditions across the major corn growing states have caused a major delay in the amount of seed that’s actually gone into the ground, and that is a big concern as Tyron Spearman has the story.
Trees! A resource to be proud of. Everett Griner talks about trees and how to use them.
The official date of Earth Day may have already past, but Mimi Williams, Florida NRCS state agronomist and plant materials specialist, encourages folks to continue to celebrate, by joining them for their annual Earth Day event on May 10, 2013.
Research has found that cotton fields adjacent to either peanuts or soybeans tend to have more stink bugs.
A USDA Economist explains why what appears to be a large increase in fruit and vegetable prices isn’t as large as it seems.
As part of a series of features called “Florida Agriculture – 500 Years in the Making,” Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam talks about the origins of Florida’s Cracker Cattle.
Click Here to hear Putnam tell numerous other interesting stories about Florida’s agricultural history.
On this week’s Commissioner’s Spotlight, Florida’s Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam, talks about charitable giving in the aftermath of a tragedy or disaster. All charities soliciting within the state of Florida (excluding religious, educational and governmental entities) are required to register and file financial information with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
To check whether or not a charitable organization is properly registered and to find out how that organization spends the donations it receives, call 1-800-HELP-FLA (435-7352), or click on Gift Givers’ Guide. More information is also available by clicking Tips on Giving to Charities.
You can follow Florida Commissioner Adam Putnam on Facebook and Twitter.
