Revised Form I-9 & Employment Eligibility Verification Reminder

Gary Cooper Alabama, Citrus, Florida, General, Georgia, Nursery Crops, Specialty Crops, Sugar, Vegetables

This reminder in today from Gene McAvoy, County Extension Director, Regional Vegetable Agent IV, UF/IFAS Hendry County Extension, LaBelle, Florida 33935 Revised Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification Effective April 3, 2009 Introduction U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a reminder that effective April 3, 2009, all U.S. employers are required to use the revised Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, …

Important Tax Issues Abound – At State AND Federal Levels!

Gary Cooper Citrus, Florida, General, Specialty Crops, Sugar, Vegetables

A great deal of attention has been focused lately on House and Senate versions of a state budget far apart philisophically yet getting closer to Conference Committee anyway. Meanwhile, as Central Floirda Congressman Adam Putnam reminded us recently at Farm Bureau week activities in Tallahassee, there are some critical FEDERAL budget and tax issues presently on the table as well. …

Florida FFA Foundation Beast Feast Info

Randall Weiseman Ag "Outdoors", Beef, Cattle, Florida, General, Pork, Poultry, Vegetables

FLORIDA FFA FOUNDATION TO HOST BEAST FEAST AND AUCTION (Haines City, FL) The Florida FFA Foundation is serving up a variety of wild game and seafood at the sixth annual Beast Feast & Auction on Saturday, May 2, 2009 to benefit the Leadership Training Center (LTC). Along with feasting on venison, pork, gator, shrimp, fried grouper, turkey, conch salad, oyster …

Proposed Increase of Truck Tag Fees

Randall Weiseman Citrus, Florida, Sugar, Vegetables

As we have reached the midpoint in this legislative session, Florida Farm Bureau’s Director of State Legislative Affairs, Ben Parks, encourages the ag community to express their concerns to their legislators regarding a House proposal to boost tax revenue by doubling truck registration fees.

Putnam, Fla. Lawmakers Seek Federal Help for Avocado Growers

Gary Cooper Florida, Specialty Crops, Vegetables

WASHINGTON – Congressman Adam Putnam (R-Fla.) today announced he has sent a bipartisan letter, co-signed by a dozen other members of the Florida congressional delegation, to the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture seeking steps to protect the state’s avocado growers. Without strong action, the lawmakers wrote, “the avocado industry is threatened with extinction.” The Laurel Wilt fungus, a disease spread by …

The Lure of Gardening

Randall Weiseman Alabama, Florida, General, Georgia, Vegetables

With the recent inception of gardens at local USDA offices across the nation as a demonstration of sustainability, Bill Hoffman of the Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service says, home gardening is becoming popular again.