This week in Sarasota, Florida John Deere is holding an ag media event to kick off its “Drive Green” campaign. We’re on the scene here in south Florida for this event. Hear more in this report and be sure to stay tuned to Southeast AgNet for more information. Sponsoring this report:
Fall Vegetable Acreage Lower
According to the latest USDA forecast, the prospective area for harvest of 11 selected fresh market vegetables during the fall quarter is expected to be down 4 percent from last year. Acreage is lower compared to last year for snap beans, cabbage, cauliflower, celery, head lettuce, and bell peppers while acreage increased for carrots, sweet corn, cucumbers, and tomatoes. Listen …
Market Access and Food Safety Grants
USDA is funding more than 234 million dollars in projects for 70 trade organizations to help promote farm products overseas under the Market Access Program. Read the release with all the awards here. USDA also announced $13.8 million last week in grants to 19 states to support research, education and outreach for food safety through the National Integrated Food Safety …
USDA Official Explains COOL Rules
USDA is on a mission to explain the details of country of origin labeling to the producers, packers, wholesalers and retailers who now need to make it happen in the stores according to Lloyd Day, Administrator of USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service. Listen to report here:
FFVA Awards
Various awards were presented at last week’s Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association annual meeting. Legislator of the Year awards were given to Florida State Sen. Carey Baker, R-Eustis, and Rep. Denise Grimsley, R-Sebring. FFVA’s Researcher of the Year Award went to Ronald P. Muraro, a professor and extension farm management economist at the University of Florida Institute of Food and …
Specialty Crop Research Grants Under Review
The first round of specialty crop research grants under the 2008 Farm Bill are being reviewed and should be awarded in the early part of October. Listen to reports here:
Farmers Markets Grants
USDA has awarded 85 grants totaling almost $3.5 million directed by the new farm bill to help farmers markets nationwide, including $75,000 for the State of Alabama Farmers Market Authority; $60,000 for the Florida Associtation of Community Farmers Markets; and two separate grants in Georgia for the Sparta/Hancock Produce Growers Cooperative and Common Ground Athens. Read details here. Listen to …
USDA to Purchase Fresh Tomatoes
USDA is purchasing up to 3.6 million pounds of fresh tomatoes with currently available Farm Bill funds. The tomatoes will be donated to child nutrition and other domestic food assistance programs. Listen to report here:
Growers Urged to Comment on Soil Fumigant Regs
The Florida Farm Bureau Federation is urging Florida growers to submit comments to the Environmental Protection Agency requesting the agency reevaluate its proposed Reregistration Eligibility Decisions for several important soil fumigants. The EPA has extended the comment period through Oct. 30. FFBF Agricultural Policy Division assistant director Joshua Craft talks about why this is so important and how growers can …
Lessons Learned from Salmonella Outbreak
Now that the salmonella stpaul outbreak has been officially declared over, officials are evaluating what steps can be taken to avoid a repeat in the future.