Meatpackers Close a Few Plants Due to Coronavirus

(NAFB) — Fears of meatpacker employees contracting coronavirus due to the close conditions they work in have led to several facilities idling production in recent weeks. For example, Tyson Foods has temporarily ceased operations at its pork plant in Columbus Junction, Iowa, after two dozen employees were found positive with the coronavirus. Politico says at least three people who work …

Some Herbs You Can Grow in Water

If you are thinking of growing your own herb garden, why not try hydroponics. Cathy Isom tells you about some herbs you can grow in water. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. If you love cooking with fresh herbs, you’ll be happy to know you can grow your own from a cutting. It’s as easy as filling a …

FDACS & Commissioner Nikki Fried Create List Connecting Farmers & Buyers

(FDACS) — Agriculture Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) announced the creation of a Florida Farm to You commodities list, connecting potential buyers with farmers and producers of Florida-grown commodities like fresh produce, seafood, poultry, and more. With restaurants and foodservice businesses closed due to COVID-19, agricultural producers across the country have struggled to sell perishable products like …

Loan Maturity for Marketing Assistance Loans Now Extended to 12 Months

Provides Producers with Marketing Flexibilities Amid COVID-19 Uncertainties (USDA) — Agricultural producers now have more time to repay Marketing Assistance Loans (MAL) as part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s implementation of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act of 2020. The loans now mature at 12 months rather than nine, and this flexibility is available for most …

UF/IFAS Extension Helps Get Food Directly From Farmers to Customers During Pandemic

(UF/IFAS) — As the novel coronavirus disrupts the usual methods to deliver food from farms to consumers, UF/IFAS Extension agents are helping connect growers with customers. Two such specialists are Sarah Bostick, an agriculture agent with UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County and Lisa Hickey, a sustainability agent with UF/IFAS Extension Manatee County. The two are now working together to encourage farmers …

Florida Farmers Worried About Presence of Foreign Produce

During the Florida Farm Bureau Federation (FFBF) and Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) Town Hall last week concerning COVID-19 and its effects on Florida agriculture, one issued discussed was how fresh produce growers were having difficultly moving their products. But foreign produce continues to be prevalent in stores. Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried said this is something …

Shipping Out More U.S. Peanuts

The latest numbers show more and more U.S. peanuts are being shipped out to other countries. Tyron Spearman looks at the new figures. 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 …

Georgia Cotton Commission Concerned With Low Prices

This week, the American Farm Bureau Federation released an updated analysis showing crop and livestock prices falling to levels that threaten the livelihoods of many U.S. farmers and ranchers. As for cotton, which depends heavily on foreign manufacturing capacity, prices are down nearly 30%. Georgia Cotton Commission (GCC) Executive Director, Richey Seaton, says exports was an issue they discussed with …