By Jaci Schreckengost As the 2018 farm bill discussion continues, many growers are pressing to get their voices heard by those writing the bill. At the inaugural Florida Organic Food & Farming Summit in Gainesville, a workshop on September 18 allowed growers to discuss their concerns and suggestions for the farm bill. Sarah Hackney, grassroots director at the National Sustainable …
Sommet de l’Élevage Kicks Off Today in France
It’s opening day for the Sommet de l’Élevage in Clermont-Ferrand, France. The Sommet’s primary goal is for people to exchange goods and make international business connections. Nearly 28 European countries are involved in the event, and dozens of other foreign countries are represented among the thousands of people attending the Sommet. AgNet Media Founder and President Gary Cooper is in …
U.S. LEA Invited to Livestock Leaders Supper before Sommet
The 26th annual Sommet de l’Élevage begins Wednesday in France. The Sommet is the EU’s (European Union’s) largest livestock exposition, featuring competitions, workshops and nearly 1,400 exhibitors. French National Cattlemen’s Association President Bruno Dufayet held a private livestock leaders supper. Former president of the U.S. Livestock Exporters Association (LEA), Renee Strickland, represented the LEA at the dinner. The LEA was …
Sommet de l’Élevage Starts This Week in France
The 26th annual Sommet de l’Élevage will be taking place in France on October 4–6. The Sommet is the European Union’s largest livestock exposition, featuring competitions, workshops and nearly 1,400 exhibitors from around the globe. Benoit Delaloy, the Sommet’s international events director, says the 2017 show will be the best one yet. Delaloy says approximately 2,000 animals will be participating …
Rep. Carter Discusses H-2A with Secretary of Labor Acosta
Georgia Rep. Buddy Carter and other members of Congress met with Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta to discuss recommended changes to regulations regarding the H-2A. The officials outlined seven key areas where they wanted to see regulation reform. Those areas are: Streamline the application process and improve operating efficiencies. Refine domestic recruitment requirement Improve housing availability Changes to program eligibility …
Farm Bill Discussed at Florida Organic Growers Summit
By Jaci Schreckengost With 2018 farm bill provisions being discussed, many growers are interested in telling their stories about how certain portions of the bill have either helped or hurt them in the past. At the inaugural Florida Organic Growers (FOG) Florida Organic Food & Farming Summit in Gainesville, a workshop was held to discuss what is currently in the …
Gary Vallad Awarded Researcher of the Year
Gary Vallad, professor of plant pathology at the University of Florida, was awarded researcher of the year today during the award luncheon at the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association’s (FFVA) annual convention. Vallad is stationed at the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center in Wimauma, Florida. He works on several crops including tomato, watermelon, pomegranate and more. Vallad says it …
Cattle Producer Prepares for Sommet de l’Élevage in France
The Sommet de l’Élevage is holding its 26th annual event, October 4–6, in Clermont-Ferrand, France. The event is the European Union’s (EU) largest livestock exposition, featuring competitions and a tradeshow. This year, the Sommet is especially exciting for U.S. cattle producers because, for the first time ever, Americans have been invited to the event. Reneé Strickland of Strickland Ranch and …
Officials Survey Hurricane Damage in Florida
On September 18, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam, Congressman Tom Rooney ad Senator Marco Rubio flew in a helicopter to get an aerial view of farm damage from Hurricane Irma. Described by Rubio as an “agriculture catastrophe,” the storm ravished many Florida crops. Since many Florida vegetables were not in the ground yet, they …
UF/CALS Challenge 2050 Project Earns Top Honors at National Conference
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – When family, youth and community sciences senior Madeline Black began volunteering with the University of Florida College of Agricultural and Life Sciences Challenge 2050 Project, she had no idea the impact this experience would have on her future career plans. “Because of my involvement with Challenge 2050, I’ll be applying to the agricultural education and communication master’s …