USDA’s Farm Storage Facility Loan program has been amended to allow producers to build cold storage facilities to store their fresh fruits and vegetables.
Scientists and collaborators with the Agriculture Research Service are working to overcome the issue of two fungi affecting potato producers.
GMO crops are still controversial. Everett Griner explains.
TALLAHASSEE – For weeks, unusually cold winter temperatures delayed Florida’s strawberry harvest, leaving grocery shelves empty. But now, finally, good news: The strawberries are ripening, and they’re even sweeter than usual.
The American Farm Bureau Federation has asked a federal district court to delay the Obama administration’s final rule on the H-2A foreign worker program.
American Agriculture: Abundant, Affordable, Amazing. That’s the theme for Ag Awareness Week which culminates this Saturday, March 20th, with National Ag Day. And in the following two reports, Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack, celebrates those principles and the farmers that work tirelessly everyday to bring them to us.
Florida Farm Bureau members 
in Tallahassee this week were invited by House Speaker Larry Cretul of Ocala for a rare meeting in House Chambers during Farm Bureau Day at the state Capitol. Marion County cattle rancher and Florida Farm 
Bureau Treasurer Jeff Vermillion (photo right) helped set up the special event, where Farm Bureau members were able to sit in lawmakers chairs throughout the Chambers during the ’special sesson’ with Speaker Cretul. Shown seated in photo are Melissa and Jake Raburn. Melissa is a former state FFA president and director of the new Banner Center of Agriscience. Jake is in charge of marketing and sales for 
Hinton Strawberry farms, Plant City. This was their first time participating in Farm Bureau Days. In photo bottom left is Roland Yee and Michelle Williamson. Roland is a specialty vegetable grower from 
south Florida and a former American Farm Bureau Young Farmer committee member. Michelle is a strawberry grower from Hillsborough County, on the state board and is the state chair of the women’s committee.
(AgNet Thanks Erin Best for Photos).
Ocala, FL — Southeast AgNet Publications Inc. announced the acquisition of Florida Science Source Inc., a citrus book publishing and reseller operation. It bought the business from founder Will Wardowski and his wife Christie.
Wardowski is well known in citrus circles all over the world as a post-harvest expert. He was the first editor of Fresh Citrus Fruits 1st edition, published in New York in 1986. Known to citrus packers as “The Green Bible,” Fresh Citrus Fruits 1st and 2nd editions include more than 40 authors from around the world. Read the rest of this entry »
The redbay ambrosia beetle has been found in an insect trap in Miami-Dade County and Florida Ag Commissioner Charles Bronson says this finding is of great concern to the specialty crop community.
Florida agriculture industry volunteers are encouraged to take part in the seventh annual Agriculture Literacy Day, to be held Tuesday March 23, 2010. More information and online registration is available on Florida Agriculture in the Classroom’s website.
Florida’s Department of Agriculture Division of Plant Industry has issued a pest alert as a new exotic mealybug has been found in southern Florida, marking the first time that the pest has been found in the United States.
The Let’s Move Initiative has announced a contest to design video games to encourage better nutrition and more exercise among kids and adults.
Buyers of Florida spring potatoes can expect a supply gap starting this month.
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.
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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.
Iraq farmers are studying the U.S. system and Everett Griner tells us why.
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.
David Kaplan of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service explains the components of the Plant Health Emergency Framework.
Everett Griner explains how resources and population growth are positive assets.
2010 is more than shifting funds. What? Everett Griner tells us.
Increased U.S. regulations on pallets and other wood packaging are likely on the way, though industry officials say it’s unclear when.
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.
University of Georgia Extension Plant Pathologist, Dr. Bob Kimmerait, says there a few key things to know when managing nematodes.
