(FDACS) — Agriculture Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried, an independently elected member of the Florida Cabinet, reiterated her call for immediately resuming meetings of the Cabinet and Clemency Board. The Florida Cabinet has not met since February 4, after which the Governor has canceled subsequent scheduled meetings. “The people of Florida expect their statewide leaders to work together during this unprecedented challenge. Successfully managing …
More Time to Repay Marketing Assistance Loans
As part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) implementation of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act of 2020, Marketing Assistance Loans (MAL) now mature at 12 months rather than nine. According to a story from Tyron Spearman, this flexibility is available for most commodities. According to USDA, producers of eligible commodities now have up to 12 …
Fried Calls for Florida Cabinet to Jointly Address Coronavirus Issues
(NSF) — Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried has reiterated a call for Governor Ron DeSantis and the state Cabinet to jointly address issues related to the coronavirus pandemic. Fried, who has complained about a lack of communication between the statewide elected officials, says she’s been requesting weekly briefings from the governor’s office since before an April 7th Cabinet meeting was …
NRCS Seeking Public Comment on Conservation Practice Standards
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is still seeking public comments on proposed revisions to 49 national conservation practice standards through a posting in the Federal Register. But, the comment period closes April 23, 2020. The 49 updated national conservation practice standards include: 12 agronomic practices for water quality and erosion control Two aquaculture practices Three forestry practices …
DHS and USDA Move to Protect American Farmers
Ensure Continued Flow of America’s Food Supply Department to Temporarily Amend Certain H-2A Requirements During COVID-19 National Emergency (USDA) — The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with the support of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), has announced a temporary final rule to change certain H-2A requirements to help U.S. agricultural employers avoid disruptions in lawful agricultural-related employment, protect the …
Helping Farmers Get Set for a Successful Retirement
Some farmers across the country are working later in life because they believe they can’t retire right now or are in no rush to move on. But that day will come when figuring out how to buy xrp might be important and advanced financial planning is always an important part of any operation. Southeast AgNet’s Randall Weiseman recently asked COUNTRY …
Which Rock Dust is Best for Your Garden
In yesterday’s program, Cathy Isom told you about not using rock dust in raised gardens. Today’s program Cathy discusses which rock dust is best for your garden. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Rock dust is most helpful in mineral deficient soil, heavily tilled areas, compacted clay, compost-lite loam soil, and a backyard vineyard. They’re often mined minerals …
Commissioner Nikki Fried on “Urgently Needed” USDA Stimulus Funding
(FDACS) — Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried sent a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue urging swift action in getting the $9.5 billion in direct assistance provided by the CARES Act stimulus bill into the hands of agriculture producers. Fried also shared with USDA several proposals from national and Florida agriculture industry partners highlighting the needs on the ground in response …
Facts of the Flow: Lake Okeechobee, 2020 Year-to-Date
(SFWMD) — Here is the latest update on inflows into Lake Okeechobee for the calendar year to date. This data is provided by SFWMD’s DBHYDRO database. There has been no back-pumping into Lake Okeechobee from the Everglades Agricultural Area this year. Source: South Florida Water Management District Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsNovember 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement Board Wraps up Funding …
U.S. Peanut Exports to Canada Still Growing
Exports of U.S. grown peanut products to Canada have continued a trajectory of growth over the last decade. Tyron Spearman has the details. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsNovember 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement Board Wraps up Funding YearJune 30, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Awarded Researcher Discusses New World Screwworm OverviewJune 19, 2026Verdant Robotics Offers Growers Targeted Application of Herbicides or Beneficials …