The U.S. Senate this week approved a disaster package which would help farmers affected by weather-related disasters, as this was actually a part of the Tax Extenders Act of 2009.
TALLAHASSEE (FDACS) — The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have joined together in a cooperative effort to prevent giant African snails (GAS) from making their way into Florida and are asking the public for help. Giant African snails are considered a serious plant pest and potential threat to public health because of their ability to destroy plants, damage ornamental plants and spread disease. Giant African snails are illegal to import into the United States without a permit, and currently no permits have been issued. Read the rest of this entry »
Researchers have discovered that geraniums can help control Japanese Beetles. An invasive pest that causes damages of approximately 450-million dollars each year to the ornamental plant industry alone.
During his recent address to the School Nutrition Association regarding the reauthorization of the Child Nutrition Act, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, took the opportunity to recognize farmers and their efforts.
Ken Morgan, program specialist with the Florida Natural Resources Conservation Service wants to remind producers that there are some upcoming deadlines for 2010 funding. Applications for the Farm and Ranch Land Protection Program are due March 11, 2010. And sign up for the Organic Initiative ends March 12, 2010.
Steve Musser, assistant state conservationist with the Alabama Natural Resources Conservation Service, wants to remind producers that the deadline for 2010 funding for the Organic Initiative is coming up on Friday, March 12.
Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles H. Bronson announced that a redbay ambrosia beetle, the vector of laurel wilt disease, has been found in an insect trap in the Emerald Lakes subdivision of Miami-Dade County. Prior to this find, the redbay ambrosia beetle had not been found south of Martin County. It is not known if all redbay ambrosia beetles carry the pathogenic strain of laurel wilt disease. Advanced diagnostic tests are underway to determine what strain the beetle trapped in Miami-Dade County carried.
Dorothy Feustel with the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service says the USDA’s McGovern Dole International Food for Education Program is expanding this year.
This in today from Florida Congressman Adam Putnam’s office in WASHINGTON D C – Congressman Adam Putnam today said the Environmental Protection Agency has agreed to extend the comment period on proposed new water rules after a meeting this morning between members of the Florida congressional delegation and EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson. Read the rest of this entry »
The forecast making the rounds among south Florida growers this morning from the Natoinal Weather Service: URGENT – WEATHER MESSAGE…CORRECTED FOR HEADLINES NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MIAMI FL – 415 AM EST THU MAR 4 2010 – …FREEZING TEMPERATURES POSSIBLE TOWARDS DAWN FRIDAY… Read the rest of this entry »
Florida Natural Resources Conservation Service State Agronomist, Steve Boetger, says one of their new efforts aimed at the growing sector of organic production is the Organic Initiative.
David Kaplan of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service says that a plant health emergency framework is a key component in the war against invasive species and noxious weeds ever entering the U.S.
The Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics is calling for the federal Food and Drug Administration to require warning labels on some foods they consider choking risk for children.
We figured it appropriate for this ten-thousanth news post to this website, to advance this news release that will be officially distributed throughout industry circles in the days ahead. Southeast AgNet began permanently archiving its news posts to this website back in May of 2006. Ocala, FL — Southeast AgNet, a multi-media enterprise dedicated to “deep southeast” agriculture, is pleased to announce the addition of two new positions to assist the company’s continued growth in digital and print arenas. Marc Stockwell and Tacy Callies joined the Southeast AgNet team March 1. Read the rest of this entry »
USDA Meteorologist Brad Rippey predicts cooler than normal weather for much of the country, and wet conditions in the South during the period from March 9 to 15.
The budget is firmly in place as the main theme for this year, but Florida Agriculture Commissioner Charles Bronson, gives some insight on what other issues will be a priority for the Florida Department of Agriculture during 2010.
The Food Availability Data series is now in its 100th year and Jean Buzby of the Economic Research Service gives a little more detail on what it offers consumers.
The USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service in Alabama wants to remind producers about the EQIP Organic Farming Initiative as Assistant State Conservationist, Steve Musser, says that as part of that initiative they are introducing a pilot project for the use of high tunnels.
Producers are all to well aware of the effects of the early January freeze, but economist Gary Lucier, says USDA has now put some number estimates to the cuts in vegetable production.
Would you like to donate an item to be auctioned off? Southeast AgNet’s Ernie Neff gives us information about this event and go to http://florida4h.org/foundation/auction.shtml for all of the details.
During his recent address to the School Nutrition Association regarding the reauthorization of the Child Nutrition Act, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, took the opportunity to recognize farmers and their efforts. 
Ken Morgan, program specialist with the Florida Natural Resources Conservation Service wants to remind producers that there are some upcoming deadlines for 2010 funding. Applications for the Farm and Ranch Land Protection Program are due March 11, 2010. And sign up for the Organic Initiative ends March 12, 2010.
Ocala, FL — Southeast AgNet, a multi-media enterprise dedicated to “deep southeast” agriculture, is pleased to announce the addition of two new positions to assist the company’s continued growth in digital and print arenas. Marc Stockwell and Tacy Callies joined the Southeast AgNet team March 1. 
