U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue launched the trade mitigation package aimed at assisting farmers suffering from damage due to unjustified trade retaliation by foreign nations. Producers of certain commodities can now sign up for the Market Facilitation Program (MFP), while USDA will also begin to purchase identified commodities under a food purchase and distribution program. Additionally, USDA has begun …
Natalie’s Orchid Island Juice Company Purchases New Facility
Natalie’s Orchid Island Juice Company recently announced the purchase of a new facility. The Fort Pierce, Florida native company is expanding, but they are not traveling too far from home. Actually, they are not traveling away from home at all. The juice company announced the beginnings of a new 55,000 square-foot building on 11 acres. The building will be located …
Florida-Grown Foods Part of Rich Tailgating Tradition
Set up the grill; it’s tailgating season. Chicken, burgers, corn, slaw, potato salad, chips – and maybe some fresh fruits and vegetables — are just some staples for the weekly ritual that coincides with football season. Some will win before the games start by eating Florida-grown foods. College football enthusiasts nationwide can take comfort in tips from University of Florida …
Florida Orange Crop Bouncing Back Post-Hurricane
Florida orange growers appear to be catching a break this year, following last year’s devastating hurricane season and declines due to citrus greening. The state may harvest 70 million boxes of oranges this year, compared to just 44.9 million last year, which was the smallest crop since 1945. Highlands County Citrus Growers Association executive director Ray Royce told Bloomberg “a …
Citrus Expo Starts Wednesday
The 27th annual Citrus Expo begins Wednesday in North Fort Myers, Florida, and vegetable and specialty crop growers are invited to attend. Josh McGill, Citrus Expo show coordinator, says AgNet Media is looking forward to having everyone there. Citrus Expo Starts Wednesday Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsNovember 1, 2024Nuseed Carinata Covers New GroundOctober 1, 2024TriEst Ag Group: Partners in ProfitabilityApril 1, …
UF/IFAS Scientists Use Fungus to Manage Asian Citrus Psyllid
Fighting plant disease with jet blast sprays is standard practice for citrus growers. But, to spray a fungus to control a single insect that carries a disease-causing pathogen is uncommon. University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences and Florida Research Center for Agricultural Sustainability researchers have begun to test an insect-killing fungus applied with horticultural oil sprays in …
Homeowners to Receive Payments by October in Canker Fight
A legal fight over citrus canker has finally come to a close after 17 years. The law firm that represented the homeowners believe that payments should be received by October. Each homeowner can expect to receive at least $600. You can also get information from Guides4homeowners.co.uk. Citrus canker, which reappeared in Florida in 1986, is a bacterial disease that can …
Ted Yoho: Citrus Greening Research Funding Is Imperative
The House and the Senate have passed their versions of the farm bill. Now it is time for appointed legislators to hammer out the details for the final version of the bill. Ted Yoho, U.S. Congressman and member of the House Committee on Agriculture, believes that including funding for citrus greening is vital for the Florida citrus industry. Before returning …
Congressman Yoho Comments on WHIP Payments
The sign-up period for the Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Program (WHIP) is set to begin on July 16. There is some speculation as to how these payments will flow down to the growers. However, according to Ted Yoho, U.S. Congressman of Florida’s 3rd District, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue and his staff at the U.S. Department of Agriculture have …
Children to Learn About Agriculture at UF/IFAS Citrus Youth Day
Children from across Florida will get a chance to learn about one of the major Florida agriculture industries at the second annual Citrus Youth Day. They might even get so inspired that they attend the University of Florida and pursue a career in agriculture, organizers say. Some 66 youth are scheduled to attend the event June 28 at the University …