Indian River Citrus Growers are upbeat, considering high expectations a new fresh fruit shipping rule will be forthcoming from USDA very soon, and aereal spray test results are looking good for saving growers money in control efforts for not only citrus psyllid but also for caribbean fruit fly for those who have to meet that protocol for fresh fruit shipping. …
Indian River Citrus League: 79 Years and Going Strong
This week’s annual meeting of Indian River Citrus League marked the organization’s 79th year in existence. 30 of those years have been under the executive leadership of Doug Bournique who says he’s felt “right at home” with the region and the growers from the very start. Some of the League’s growers collaborated to surprise Bournique with special recognition at the …
2nd Annual Florida “State Ranch Rodeo” Report
The second annual FCA State Ranch Rodeo was held in Kissimmee the first weekend in October at the Silver Spurs Arena with more than 16 teams competing for awards in events simulating “real life on the ranch.” Events such as calf branding, Bronc Riding, Team Doctoring, and Sorting were included in the Ranch Rodeo, and on the second day the …
Milk Industry Soured By Bad Economy
By JOHN KENNEDY – THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA (http://www.newsserviceflorida.com) THE CAPITAL, TALLAHASSEE, Oct. 1, 2009….First there was the housing implosion. Then banks melted down. Now, Florida’s milk industry is souring. The state’s already shrinking dairy industry is getting pummeled by the recession, with a Senate report released Thursday showing each farmer will lose an average $709,000 this year. “Milk …
Everglades Contractor Suing Water District
(From News Service Florida, Sept 30) South Florida taxpayers already on the hook for millions in Everglades restoration may end up paying for some work that is not being done. That’s because a contractor whose project was cancelled to make way for the purchase of 73,000 acres from U.S. Sugar Corp. is crying foul. Worse for regional water managers, Kansas-based …
Robert “Bobby” DuBois, Sr. Remembered In Farm & Family Circles
In a closeknit industry where so many people are considered family, it’s impossible for a website like this to include obituaries industry-wide. Generally we have a policy not to include such milestones in our regular coverage. Once in a while one hits so close to home, however, IN the family AND in industry circles, I choose to plow ahead and …
Company Agrees to Raise Farm Worker Wages
(From “News Service of Florida” 9-25-09) Advocates for Florida tomato workers on Friday added the world’s largest contract food provider to the list of companies willing to spend more to improve workers’ wages. Meeting with U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis in Washington, D.C., the Coalition of Immokalee Workers announced an agreement with Compass Group in which the company would …
FDACS’ Bronson Notes Passing “Legendary” State Forester Bethea
TALLAHASSEE (FDACS News Release) — Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles H. Bronson today announced the death of John M. Bethea, a dynamic leader in helping shape the current state of Florida’s 1 million-acre State Forest system. He was 89. “Our current state forests owe a great deal to John’s vision and leadership,” Bronson said. “He was a man …
Citrus Expo in Ft Myers Expecting a Huge Grower & Vendor Crowd
The 18th annual Citrus Expo set for this Wednesday and Thursday, August 19 & 20 at Lee Civic Center in Ft Myers, is preparing for its largest ever trade show. More than 160 exhibit spaces are booked for product & service displays catering to commercial citrus growers from all over. A record number of 700 individual citrus growers have pre-registered …
New Florida Citrus Commissioners Appointed
Florida Governor Charlie Crist has confirmed his most recent appointments to the Florida Citrus Commission. Confirmation is still required by the Florida Senate. Meanwhile here are the appointments announced this week: Victor B. Story, 63, of Lake Wales, president of Story Grove Service Inc., succeeds Wesley Brumback as a grower member on the Commission. Robert M. Behr, 55, of Lakeland, …