Commissioner Nikki Fried on TS Elsa Secretarial Disaster Designation for Three Florida Counties

(Tallahassee, FL/October 20, 2021) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has informed Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) that it has granted a Secretarial disaster designation in several counties in Georgia and Florida due to losses caused by Tropical Storm Elsa, excessive wind, and excessive rainfall that occurred on July 7, 2021. With this designation, impacted producers …

New Appointments for USDA Positions

The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently announced a few new appointments for positions in the Southeast. Tyron Spearman has the story. Sponsored ContentFL 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 through SharpShooter™June 16, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board …

Stop By and Visit Country Financial at Sunbelt This Week

By Clint Thompson Country’s Financial’s one-on-one approach makes it an effective ally for homeowners and farmers. Sunbelt Ag Expo attendees are encouraged to stop by the Country Financial booth this week in Moultrie, Georgia and talk with an agent to gauge their specific insurance or financial needs. Dawn Cutchens, an insurance agent with Country Financial, discusses that personal approach that …

Ag Groups Formally Object to EPA Chlorpyrifos Rule

This week, more than 80 agricultural groups filed formal objections to the Environmental Protection Agency’s August 30 rule to revoke all tolerances of chlorpyrifos. Stakeholders can object to pesticide tolerance changes or cancellations, and the EPA Administrator must then respond. In the coalition letter, the agriculture sector cited numerous concerns with EPA’s revocation decision, including the processes EPA used and …

Sunbelt’s Appeal is Across the Southeast

By Clint Thompson The Sunbelt Ag Expo may be based in Moultrie, Georgia, but its appeal is across the Southeast region. Chip Blalock, Sunbelt Ag Expo Executive Director, discusses the impact this week’s three-day event has on the Southeast. “It’s great to be back this week, live and in person. All of our friends from the Southeast are coming in …

Tricks for Picking the Best Pumpkin This Year

Some tricks for picking the best pumpkin this year. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours.  With so many pumpkin varieties and characteristics, it’s hard to tell which pumpkin is the best bang for your buck. You could just grab whatever’s at the grocery store, but you’ll get a fresher and more interesting selection at a pumpkin farm. Just like when buying …

Panel Discusses OJ and Health Research

The Florida Citrus Commission’s (FCC) Scientific Research Advisory Council (SRAC) on Oct. 13 discussed recent studies and projects addressing the linkage between orange juice (OJ) and health. The FCC governs the Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC), which spends much effort promoting the health benefits of OJ. PUBLISHED STUDIES Rosa Walsh, director of scientific research at the FDOC, shared three recently published studies. …

Stay Vigilant on Handwashing and Hygiene

If you visited any public building or restroom during the COVID-19 pandemic, you may have noticed an increased focus on handwashing and hygiene principles reflected in an abundance of signage on doors and in hallways. While it is great that public awareness has increased in the last 18 months, these have always been important principles, especially for all food-related businesses. …