The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency will hold several information sessions in Florida about the Wildfire Hurricane Indemnity Program (WHIP). The meetings are the first step in the Hurricane Irma relief package. The USDA is encouraging all growers who wish to participate in WHIP to attend at least one meeting. Below are the dates, times and locations …
Agri View: Georgia Citrus Expanding Thanks to Research
Everett Griner talks about citrus farming and related research in Georgia expanding in today’s Agri View. Georgia Citrus Expanding Thanks to Research You know, many people thought that citrus business in Georgia was a temporary thing that would soon go away. They don’t think that anymore. Not with the research and the diversity and the growth that’s taking place. The …
Putnam Comments on Updated Citrus Crop Forecast, Disaster Assistance
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam released the following statement after the U.S. Department of Agriculture released its monthly citrus crop forecast for the 2017-2018 season: “This citrus crop forecast is another reminder of the continued struggles of Florida’s iconic citrus industry since Hurricane Irma inflicted unprecedented damage last year. But thanks to the collaborative efforts of the United …
Crafting More Details of Florida Citrus Recovery Block Grants
Last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) revealed a $340 million block grant that will go toward Florida citrus growers for Hurricane Irma losses to production expected during the 2018 through the 2020 crop year, reimbursement for the cost of buying and planting replacement trees – including resetting and grove rehabilitation – and for repair of damages to irrigation …
Perdue Announces Additional Hurricane and Wildfire Recovery Details
(Washington, D.C., May 1, 2018) – Under the direction of President Donald J. Trump, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced new details on eligibility for a new U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) disaster program, 2017 Wildfires and Hurricanes Indemnity Program (2017 WHIP). In total, USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) will deploy up to $2.36 billion that Congress appropriated through the …
On Tour in the Everglades Agricultural Area
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 …
Post-Irma Ag Relief Could Come Soon
Florida farmers awaiting federal disaster relief to help cover losses from Hurricane Irma last September may learn more details this week about the highly anticipated program. The $2.36 billion Wildfires and Hurricanes Indemnity Program is expected to offer a direct-payments model that would not hold growers to traditional payment limitations and would establish a state-managed program to handle tree losses. …
Citrus Peels Have Many Uses
Everyone throws them away. But, Cathy Isom lets you know why you shouldn’t throw away those citrus peels, and the many uses for them. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Citrus Peels Have Many Uses The next time you buy oranges, limes, tangerines, grapefruits, lemons, or mandarins, don’t throw away those peels! There are so many household uses …
Steep Florida Grapefruit Production Cuts
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 …
Putnam Comments on USDA’s Disaster Aid Implementation
Following U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue’s announcement today that the USDA will begin implementing disaster payments of up to $2.36 billion in response to 2017 hurricanes and wildfires, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam issued the following statement: “Florida agriculture took a direct hit from Hurricane Irma and has long-awaited this much-needed disaster relief. I thank Secretary …