The Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) is a unique region with a long, rich history. Last week, members of the AgNet Media team had the privilege to visit the EAA and surrounding farm areas to meet with some of the area’s key players. During the three-day tour, the team explored agricultural production systems, ranging from sugar to citrus. ROTH FARMS …
Most growers and professionals in the citrus industry are aware that Florida’s orange crop has declined due to diseases like citrus greening and natural disasters like Hurricane Irma. However, Florida’s grapefruit crop has been suffering tremendously as well, even more severely than Florida oranges. The Florida orange crop has dropped by 35 percent this year, while Florida grapefruit has dropped …
Although the Florida citrus industry may have some slight differences compared to the California citrus industry, in the face of citrus greening disease the two industries are one and the same. Now, the brightest minds of both states are working to detect, manage and control this devastating disease. Most recently, University of California researchers have been working to find methods …
The C.M. Stripling Irrigation Research Park (SIRP), located in Camilla, is among the youngest research and education centers in the University of Georgia (UGA) College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences family. Established in 2001, the SIRP center was designed to conduct irrigation research, but also to educate the public on important water issues impacting Georgia’s agriculture industry. Calvin Perry, superintendent …
The new farm bill is still being negotiated and worked out. There are some kinks to it, which is why its completion is taking longer than expected. However, one thing that most people can agree on is the importance of including research funding in the new farm bill. Hurricanes asides, research has greatly impacted the Florida citrus industry industry after …
E-verify was once a part of U.S. Congressman Goodlatte’s Agriculture Guestworker Act (AG Act), but now e-verify is a standalone piece of legislation. According to Amy Wolfe, president and CEO of AgSafe, this separation could mean trouble for growers. Wolfe compares e-verify to a digital I-9 form. “It’s (e-verify) the online, instant feedback equivalent to 1-9. We’ve all filled out …
TALLAHASSEE, FLA – Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt traveled across Florida and met with stakeholders to discuss environmental goals and protections. “The Sunshine State is a vital provider of American agriculture, energy and manufacturing, and it’s essential we hear directly from rural Floridians,” said EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt. “Today’s dialogue is particularly important as we focus …
Florida growers are still reeling from the impacts of Hurricane Irma, which hit the state back in September 2017. Florida citrus took the biggest hit, with an estimation of approximately $760 million in damages. Since Irma, growers have been anxiously waiting on disaster relief funding so they can begin to rebuild. During the recent Taste of Florida reception in Tallahassee, …
The Florida Farm Bureau held its legislative days in Tallahassee this week, where it advocated for an “Ag Strong” legislative agenda. Adam Basford, director of legislative affairs for Florida Farm Bureau, was pleased with the turnout at this year’s events. Sporting “Ag Strong” pins, nearly 200 members of the Florida Farm Bureau made appointments with their legislators to advocate for …
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is looking toward additional funding this legislative session for the Fresh from Florida program. The program suffered a decrease in funding last year from $13 million to $6 million. Now, they are looking toward $5 million more in general revenue funding to make up for the loss. The Florida Farm Bureau held …
