peach rootstocks

New Peach Rootstocks for Florida’s Sweet Peach Season

Dan Florida, Fruits, Industry News Release, Research, Specialty Crops

Can UF scientists help farmers perfect the Florida-grown peach for consumers? Here’s what they are up to. (UF/IFAS) — Ricardo Lesmes-Vesga aims to help farmers grow peaches in Florida’s various production regions. To that end, he aims to develop peach rootstocks specific to those areas and he believes his research findings will help growers who harvest the fruit when the …

climate change

Climate Change Issues Discussed in Senate

Dan Climate Change, Florida, Industry News Release

(NSF) — An effort is back in the Senate to permanently set up a statewide office to consider climate change impacts, as environmentalists wait for a new chief resiliency officer to be appointed. Sen. Ray Rodrigues, R-Estero, filed a proposal Friday to establish an Office of Resiliency, a priority of Gov. Ron DeSantis. The Office of Resiliency would be part …

farm dog

Farm Bureau Names 2021 Farm Dog of the Year

Dan General, Industry News Release

People’s Choice Pup also Announced (AFBF) — Recognizing that work on the family farm takes everyone pitching in and doing their part, including four-legged friends, Farm Bureau launched the Farm Dog of the Year contest three years ago. The winner of the 2021 Farm Bureau Farm Dog of the Year award is Bindi, an Australian shepherd owned by New York …

conservation

Development of the Agricultural Conservation Planning Framework

Dan Conservation, Environment, Industry News Release, USDA-NRCS

NRCS Conservation Outcomes Webinar Series (USDA/NRCS) —This monthly webinar series highlights recent outcomes, emerging opportunities, and conservation tools and data developed to assist with conservation planning and impact and efficiency assessment. The series illustrates the scope of Farm Bill conservation efforts on privately owned croplands, forests, and rangelands; documents the conservation achievements and outcomes of those efforts; and shows the …

uf

Global Gardeners Help UF Tomato Breeding Program

Dan Field Crops, Florida, Fruits, Industry News Release, Research, Specialty Crops, Vegetables

(UF/IFAS) — Normally, University of Florida scientists such as Harry Klee gauge the taste and aroma of their new tomatoes by letting volunteers test them at the UF Sensory Lab in Gainesville. But now, people from across the globe who grow tomatoes in their gardens can serve as citizen scientists and send flavor and growing data to Klee. In this …

infrastructure

Commissioner Fried Testifies Before U.S. International Trade Commission

Dan Florida, Industry News Release, Trade

(FDACS) — Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried testified before the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) on the urgent issue of unfair foreign trade devastating Florida’s and America’s domestic produce industry. The virtual hearing was on an ongoing ITC investigation into unfair trade practices by foreign exporters leading to a surge of blueberry imports in the U.S. market. Since entering the U.S. market in 2009, …

grassland

Florida’s First Conservation Easement Protecting Grassland of Special Environmental Significance Recorded in Columbia County

Dan Conservation, Environment, Florida, Industry News Release, USDA-NRCS

With funding support from the Natural Resources Conservation Service, and local and state partners, a 518-acre sandhill grassland ecosystem with over 243 native plant species has been permanently protected by Alachua Conservation Trust and North Florida Land Trust. Alachua Conservation Trust (ACT), North Florida Land Trust (NFLT) and partners are pleased to announce the finalization of one of the first …

climate

Farm Bureau Looks to the Future of Ag at Virtual Convention

Dan General, Industry News Release

(AFBF) — The American Farm Bureau is hosting a full day of virtual programming, focused on the future of agriculture and the most pressing issues for farmers, ranchers and consumers in 2021. The 2021 American Farm Bureau Virtual Convention offers a full plate of programming, today, following the official kickoff Sunday with an opening address from AFBF President Zippy Duvall. …

agricultural outlook forum

Details of the 2021 Agricultural Outlook Forum Program Announced

Dan Industry News Release, USDA

(USDA) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announces details of the 97th annual Agricultural Outlook Forum, which will be held virtually on February 18-19, 2021. The 2021 Forum, themed “Building on Innovation: A Pathway to Resilience,” will focus on the central role science and innovation have played in helping the agricultural sector overcome challenges and build resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic. …

farmers ppp payroll protection

Farmers Gain Improved Access to Small Business Support as PPP Reopens

Dan Aquaculture, Cattle, Citrus, Corn, Cotton, Cover Crops, Dairy, Equine, Field Crops, Forestry, Fruits, Hemp, Herbs, Industry News Release, Livestock, Nursery Crops, Organic, Peanuts, Pecans, Pollinators, Pork, Poultry, Sheep-Goats, Soybeans, Specialty Crops, Sugar, Vegetables, Wheat

(NMPF) — The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) is pleased that farmers who run their operations as sole proprietors, independent contractors, or otherwise self-employed individuals will have newly expanded access as soon as today to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) under changes made in the COVID stimulus package Congress approved last month. Producers who were denied PPP loans or whose …