North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) renegotiation talks are taking longer than originally expected due to reported disagreements among trade representatives. Although people may be skeptical that a cohesive resolution will be made, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue believes agreements will be made in the end. AgNet Media’s Abbey Taylor was able to catch up with him in Tallahassee …
Mike Sparks Comments on Federal Funding Delay
Although the House cleared federal relief funding on Thursday, the Senate will delay their decision until the new year. The $81 billion disaster-relief package includes money for Florida citrus growers impacted by Hurricane Irma. Mike Sparks, CEO of Florida Citrus Mutual, says although he is happy with the House passing the relief package, the delay in the Senate is disappointing. …
Excerpts from Commissioner Adam H. Putnam’s Remarks at the Rural Economic Development Summit
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.– Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam today delivered remarks at the Rural Economic Development Summit in St. Augustine. The following are excerpts from his remarks: “The goal of rural economic development is not to turn our rural communities into urban communities. The goal of rural economic development is to embrace the things that make our communities strong …
FL NRCS Announces 2018 Ag Land Conservation Easement Signup
Contact: Roney Gutierrez, 352-338-9502 APPLICATION DEADLINE FEB. 16, 2018 GAINESVILLE, Fla., Dec. 13, 2017 – Applications to fund agricultural easements in Florida are being accepted until Feb. 16. USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) provides financial and technical assistance to conserve working lands and wetlands through two programs: Agricultural Land Easements (ALE) and Wetland Reserve Easements (WRE). Although applications are …
Secretary Perdue Hears from Youth in Ag
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue hosted a roundtable meeting about youth in agriculture at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) on Dec. 8 in Tallahassee. Those involved in the discussion included FAMU President Larry Robinson, Florida Congressman Al Lawson, FAMU students, Florida FFA state officers and members of Florida 4-H. Perdue began the meeting by asking the participants what …
Horn Honored With Cultivator Award For Service To Rural Alabama
Written by Marlee Moore, Alabama Farmers Federation Horace Horn, a champion of rural Alabama, was presented the Alabama Farmers Federation’s Cultivator Award for fostering relationships to benefit rural families at the organization’s annual meeting in Montgomery Dec. 4. For 30 years, the Crenshaw County native has been dedicated to rural development — first as an entrepreneur, then as a U.S. …
Secretary Perdue Hears from Florida Youth in Ag
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue visited Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) in Tallahassee today to host a round table discussion about youth in agriculture. Accompanied by FAMU president, Larry Robinson, Perdue shared his passion for encouraging young people to get involved in agriculture. Perdue heard from FAMU students, as well as members of Florida FFA and Florida 4-H, …
The PIE Center releases new promotional video
The UF/IFAS Center for Public Issues Education in Agriculture and Natural Resources (PIE Center) examines how people think about, form, and act on opinions regarding complex agricultural and natural resources issues. The PIE Center’s research and educational programs help enable the public and policymakers to make informed decisions about Florida’s agriculture and natural resources sectors, specifically in three areas: exploring …
Georgia Growers Informed on Labor Regulations
By Jaci Schreckengost In order to keep Georgia growers up-to-date about important labor regulations and issues, the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA) held the annual Georgia Agricultural Labor Relations Forum. The event was held at the University of Georgia’s Tifton campus on Nov. 7–8 and had more than 100 people in attendance. Charles Hall, executive director of the …
Alabama’s Beginning Farmer Program
The Beginning Farmer Program has come to Alabama. The Alabama Beginning Farmer Program, funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Grant, aims to provide a knowledge infrastructure for new and developing farmers. Ayanava Majumdar, Auburn University Extension entomologist, is working on the program, which he calls a “very important project.” The Alabama project started …