Southeast AgNET

Agricultural Research Scientists are testing a bait-and-kill approach to trap varroa mites.

Natural Resources Conservation Service Chief, Dave White says public education about the importance of pollinators to American Agriculture and our nation’s food supply is key in preventing populations of bees, butterflies and other natural pollinators from dwindling.

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With the Farm to Fuel Summit coming up July 29-31, Ag Commissioner Charlie Bronson says that it has been very successful through the past four years.

Everett Griner explains just what is going on with the world-wide wine consumption.

An eleventh-hour court injunction has stopped the Obama administration’s plan to suspend H-2A reforms put in place by the Bush administration back in January. The Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association was part of the suite that challenged the Department of Labor’s action and President Mike Stuart says that overturning the suspension is good for all involved.

Last week was celebrated as the 3rd annual National Pollinator Week. And USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service Chief Dave White explains why pollinators deserve the recognition.

USDA’s National agricultural Statistic Service is still collecting data for the National Organic Production Surveys. The Survey forms can still be obtained online.

Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, Saxby Chambliss, has introduced two pieces of legislation to promote a more effective national response to outbreaks of food-borne sickness.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Coffee and tea drinkers, take note — a University of Florida study says a beverage made from a native holly tree might be just the thing to give you a caffeinated kick-start, plus a dose of antioxidants.

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The 9 month suspension on the H2A rule has begun and Joshua Craft with the Florida Farm Bureau Federation says that eventual outcome is unclear.

No News is still no news. Everett Griner gives us the details.

Eating healthy and having fun. Today Everett Griner tells us just what we have to do to.

More farms and ranches may be producing grass based crops in the coming years for a variety of economical, conservation, and energy means.

As more Americans are turning to canning food as a preservation method many are discovering, or rediscovering tips on how to make the venture successful.

The H2A Rule continues to be point of contention with growers and Joshua Craft, assistant director of Ag Policy for the Florida Farm Bureau explains why.

In this three-part series we will look at the educational resources many agricultural organizations have available at little or no cost to educators. Patty Barthle is a Cattlewomen as well as a school nurse in Pasco County, Florida, who says that these kits go along way in helping her reach her objectives in the classroom.

The Clean Water Restoration Act has been passed out of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee and Don Parmeter, co-chair of the National Water and Conservation Alliance, says that bill has vast implications.

The Florida Watermelon Growers have enjoyed a longer season this year due to heavy rains in Georgia which delayed planting and will ultimately give the state a later start.

TALLAHASSEE - Florida aquaculturists will be provided an opportunity to apply for federal stimulus money to offset high feed prices experienced during 2008.

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U.S. and Canada have reached a first-of-its-kind agreement that will expand market opportunities for organic producers.

Everett Griner tells us about a new check-off program and blueberries.

Thrips are highly visual insects and in flight they can easily spot a red ripe tomato. Scientists with the Agricultural Research Service and University of Florida are working to exploit this dependency to, in effect, camouflage the tomato plants.

With renewable energy the hot topic of the moment, Ag Commissioner Charles Bronson says that Florida is in a prime position to capitalize on the opportunities alternative fuels may provide.

USDA’s first ever organic production survey is due June 17, 2009.

Thefts are still costly to farmers. Today Everett Griner talks about just what is targeted.

This in today from the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association (FFVA):
FFVA JOINS SUIT TO FIGHT H-2A REFORM
FFVA and other growers’ associations filed suit June 9 against the U.S. Dept. of Labor in order to stop the present administration’s attempt to suspend Bush-era H-2A regulations that most of the industry still supports because of their simplicity and ease of use.
The suit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina, alleges that newly appointed Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis violated the Administrative Procedure Act in her efforts to withdraw the present H-2A rule.
The associations are asking for a permanent injunction to stop the administration from suspending the present H-2A regulations.
“It’s extremely important that the present regulations not be suspended as Florida growers have yet to file their H-2A certifications for the upcoming season,” said Walter Kates (photo), FFVA vice president of Labor Relations.

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This week’s Commissioner’s Spotlight from Florida Agriculture Commissioner Charles Bronson is warning about the threat to avocado and redbay trees of the Redbay Ambrosia Beetle and the Laurel Wilt disease caused by the insect pest. More information is available from the FDACS Division of Plant Industry web site by clicking on Laurel Wilt.

AL/FL/GA agreement is still missing. Everett Griner gives us the details.
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TALLAHASSEE - Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles H. Bronson announced today that the department’s Division of Aquaculture has licensed Food Technology Services Incorporated (FTSI) in Mulberry, Florida, to use irradiation to produce safer oyster products. This is the first facility in the nation that has been formally recognized to use this special process since the original approval was issued by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2005.

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June 12, 2009 is the last day for Florida farmers to apply for USDA’s new Organic Initiative.