In one of the strangest legislative years for Florida agriculture in decades, funding for many programs and services critical for farmers and ranchers are hitting a wall. Ranchers in particular are concerned about a program that they feel is critical to protect some of the best managed lands in the state from eventually being gobbled up as the state continues …
Two More Weeks to Comment on Conservation Practice Standards
Landowners interested in making public comments on how to improve conservation practice standards that support programs like the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), are reminded you have until April 25 to do so. USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is currently accepting public input on existing national conservation practice standards as part of implementing the 2018 Farm Bill. Over 150 …
Glyphosate Discussed by Perdue in Washington
We’ve all heard about the various lawsuits claiming glyphosate causes cancer, with two of those cases recently seeing juries awarding large amounts to those who had filed suits against the product Roundup. Bayer just announced they’ve released more than 100 studies on the safety profile of glyphosate, which includes crop protection safety studies as part of being more transparent following their acquisition …
Florida Department of Environmental Protection Addresses Ag Issues at Lay of the Land Conference
FDEP Secretary Noah Valenstein discusses growing water concerns, continued promotions for more urban growth, and views about agriculture south of Lake Okeechobee. By Gary Cooper Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) Secretary Noah Valenstein packed the room for his comments at the eleventh annual Lay of the Land Conference near Orlando late last week. The Lay of the Land Conference, hosted …
Trump: Everglades Money ‘Coming Soon’
President Donald Trump discussed the importance of completing restoration of the Herbert Hoover Dike around Lake Okeechobee, and vaguely promised funding “coming soon” for the Everglades, following a tour of the structure Friday. “What we’re doing is very important — it was very dangerous and it’s a big project,” Trump said of dike repairs during a brief media appearance at …
South Florida Water: Combating Fake News with Facts and Farm Tours
In recent weeks, South Florida farmers and residents continue to grow with nervous concern about misinformation circulating about Lake Okeechobee and related regional water issues. A couple of meetings taking place in recent days in local communities around the lake exemplify the growing rumble among grassroots residents and businesses throughout the entire region, especially those in rural areas. A growing …
No ‘Haggling’ Needed for Environmental Funding?
Gov. Ron DeSantis admits being worried that he asked for too much in his environmental-funding request. But as the House and Senate move forward with their budget plans, maybe he should have gone bigger. “I’ve got to say I’m pretty pleased where they came in, particularly on this water quality,” DeSantis said Thursday after appearing at a gathering of the …
Finding More Pyrethroid-Resistant Mosquitoes in Florida
Researchers have suspected there would be pyrethroid-resistant mosquitoes in Florida. But according to a story from Stephanie Ho, they found more than expected. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Critical Funding To Enhance Brahman GeneticsApril 24, 2026Strong Relationship Exists Between the Florida Cattle Enhancement Board and UF-IFASApril 17, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Funding For Quicker Response to Research QuestionsApril …
Trump to Tout Lake Okeechobee, Everglades Work
President Donald Trump will be in Florida this week to promote work on the Herbert Hoover Dike around Lake Okeechobee and a reservoir in the Everglades Agricultural Area, the White House confirmed Tuesday. Deputy Press Secretary Judd Deere tweeted that Trump is slated to “visit Lake Okeechobee Friday to tout work on dike repair, EAA reservoir.” The tweet linked to …
Land Conservation Funding in Florida Needs Your Voice
Week four of the 2019 Florida legislative session is taking place this week in Tallahassee, and many have been busy looking over the proposed state budgets for the upcoming fiscal year rolled out last Friday by both the House and Senate. The release of those budget proposals came after House and Senate subcommittees issued pieces of the spending plans earlier …