Ag News from Tallahassee – Budget Cutting Front and Center

Gary Cooper Citrus, Florida, General, Sugar

In the first report, an overview of a couple key agriculture issues that are in our spotlight this week as state budget talks in the legislative session heat up. In the second report, a serious situation regarding a developing water rulemaking process that some agriculture representatives say could create a doomsday scenario for Florida agriculture, while putting Florida at a …

More on Aerial Spraying for Citrus Psyllids

Gary Cooper Citrus, Florida

In these two reports, Ernie Neff (left) talks with Gulf Citrus Growers’ Association Executive Ron Hamel, about aerial spraying over large areas to better control the citrus psyllid, more economically. This is a hot topic among growers statewide right now, and according to Hamel and others, with the right neighborhood cooperation among neighboring citrus growers over a large area, this …

FL Farm Bureau Scouts the Issues in Tallahassee

Gary Cooper Citrus, Florida

Florida Farm Bureau President John Hoblick discusses more of the targeted issues, besides the budget, involving agriculture in the state Legislative Session this year. Among them, county occupational license fees, BMP’s and a statewide springs protection initiative. Sponsored ContentWhat Sets Provysol® Fungicide ApartJuly 8, 2025CIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2025Nuseed Carinata Covers New GroundOctober 1, 2024

Rolling on Citrus Oil

Gary Cooper Citrus, Florida, General

Rolling on Citrus Oil is literally what race car drivers recently did at the Sebring race track, as Yokahama introduced a new line of tires it says are more environmentally friendly. Hear more about it in this report. Sponsored ContentWhat Sets Provysol® Fungicide ApartJuly 8, 2025CIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2025Nuseed Carinata Covers New GroundOctober 1, 2024

Florida Citrus Commission Makes R & D Foundation Appointments

Gary Cooper Citrus, Florida, General

FLORIDA CITRUS COMMISSION APPOINTS DIRECTORS TO CITRUS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION Lakeland, Fla. — The Florida Citrus Commission (FCC) appointed five industry leaders to serve on the board of directors for the newly formed Citrus Research and Development Foundation, Inc. (CRDF) The foundation is a not-for-profit arm of the University of Florida, called a university direct-support organization, established to manage …

Highlands Enlists Help of Appraisers on Abandoned Citrus Groves

Gary Cooper Citrus, Florida, General

Highlands County Citrus Growers Association has been working with its County Appraiser’s office to set up a system so as not to penalize growers who remove blocks of trees as part of the Citrus Health Response Plan (CHRP). HCCGA Executive Ray Royce shares the wording of the local rule as it presently stands: HIGHLANDS COUNTY PROPERTY APPRAISER POLICY FOR THE …

Right To Farm Type Legislation Moving in FL House

Gary Cooper Citrus, Florida, Specialty Crops, Sugar, Vegetables

In this report, comments from Representative Ralph Poppell about a key piece of agriculture related legislation moving in the Florida House of Representatives so far this Session. Poppell was one of dozens of lawmakers turning out to visit among the crowd at the Farm Bureau Day Legislative Reception in Tallahassee recently. He is Chair of the House Natural Resources Appropriations …

Dealing with Abandoned Citrus Groves

Gary Cooper Citrus, Florida

One of the many folks we saw at Farm Bureau Day reception in Tallahassee this week was Richard Gaskalla, Director of the Fl Department of Agriculture’s Division of Plant Industry in Gainesville, (FDACS/DPI). In these reports, he comments on what is being done to help growers and industry deal with the abandoned groves issue. Some grove owners have been less …