The latest drought disaster declaration from the US Department of Agriculture makes agricultural producers in every county in Florida, plus some in Georgia and Alabama, eligible for low interest loans. The primary disaster declaration is for 58 Florida counties, but the other nine counties are also eligible because they are contiguous. Another five counties in Alabama and 11 in Georgia …
Growers Waiting on Farm Bill
As the cotton season wraps up, growers are waiting to see if there will be a new farm bill before making decisions for next season. Report(1:00 mp3)
ALFA Honors Sparks
Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture Ron Sparks received the Alabama Farmers Federation’s highest award at its 86th annual meeting in Mobile this week. Report (1:00 mp3)
Florida Ag Expo This Week
The Florida Ag Expo will be held Thursday and Friday at the Gulf Coast Research & Education Center. The expo is free for growers and is sponsored by IFAS, FFVA, the Florida Tomato Committee, Florida Strawberry Growers and Florida Grower Magazine. Also at the center on Friday is a workshop on Food Safety and Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) For Florida …
Capitol Christmas Trees
The Florida Christmas Tree Association presented Christmas trees to Governor Charlie Crist and Agriculture Commissioner Charles Bronson during a ceremony this week in Tallahassee. Read more here. Report (1:00 mp3)
House Will Reject Payment Limits
House Ag Committee chairman Collin Peterson says he would oppose the payment limitations being considered in the Senate. Report (1:00 mp3)
Orange-Co To Host Grower ‘Greening’ I D Field Trip
Citrus Growers are invited to gather at 9:30 a. m. Wednesday December 5, at the front gate of Orange-Co of Florida groves at 12010 NE Highway 70 near Arcadia, to participate in a field trip about citrus greening disease identification. Local Extension Service agents are helping to organize the event. Growers are asked to be on time and to carpool …
Prompt Action Urged On Ag Census Forms
In this report, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Charles Bronson airs a spot about the importance of the Agriculture Census, and Citrus Statistics Administrator for the Florida Ag Statistics Service, Bob Terry, comments on USDA’s Census of Agriculture from a citrus statistics needs perspective. Report (2:00 mp3) USDA NASS
Still Optimistic About a Farm Bill
While many feel it’s too late to see a new farm bill before the Christmas break, some legislators are still optimistic one can be put together before the end of the year. Â Report (1:00 mp3)
Payments Not Available for All Crops
Due to target prices being below current market prices, those enrolled in the Direct and Counter-cyclical payment program will not be seeing partial payments this year.  Report (:30 mp3)