Seafood Trade Relief Program Signup Ends Jan. 15

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has a reminder that the extended signup period for the Seafood Trade Relief Program ends Jan.15, 2021. USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Richard Fordyce says the program supports the U.S. seafood industry and fishermen impacted by retaliatory tariffs from foreign governments. Fishermen do not need to be USDA customers to apply. For more …

Bragging About the Health Benefits of Peanuts

There are many health benefits to peanuts, and Tyron Spearman reports some are bragging about their product. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement Board Wraps up Funding YearJune 30, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Awarded Researcher Discusses New World Screwworm OverviewJune 19, 2026Verdant Robotics Offers Growers Targeted Application of Herbicides or Beneficials through SharpShooter™June 16, 2026

Fried on Florida Hemp Production

Hemp is blazing among Florida’s agriculture inventory in the seven months since it was first allowed to be legally grown in the Sunshine State, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried told business leaders earlier this month. Fried says more than 22,000 acres are currently licensed for hemp, nearly equal to the acreage in Florida of tomatoes, watermelon and snap peas, and …

Commissioner Fried Comments on Hurricane Sally Secretarial Disaster Declaration

Tallahassee, Fla. – The U.S. Department of Agriculture granted Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried’s request on Tuesday for a Secretarial disaster declaration for several key counties impacted by Hurricane Sally. The Secretarial disaster declaration names Calhoun, Gadsden, Holmes, Jackson, and Washington Counties as primary disaster areas related to Hurricane Sally, as well as Bay, Gulf, Leon, Liberty, and Walton as …

Commissioner Fried Grants Santa Claus & Reindeer Animal Movement Permit

(FDACS) — Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ (FDACS) are issuing a Certificate of Animal Movement to Mr. and Mrs. Claus of the North Pole. The certificate will allow their reindeer – Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, and Rudolph – to enter and exit all homes, domiciles, encampments, and premises in the state of …

Coronavirus Stimulus Package Helps FL Farmers

(FDACS) — Congressional leaders agreed upon a $900 billion coronavirus relief bill. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues setting new case records, the bill will provide some direct assistance to families and additional funding for food production and distribution, among other priorities. On the bill, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried offered the following statement: “For more than nine months, COVID-19 has upended the lives …

DeSantis Calls Reservoir ‘A Top Environmental Priority’

(NSF) — Gov. Ron DeSantis backed a controversial reservoir being built in the Everglades while announcing the state will use a pool of environmental money to help Miami-Dade County protect Biscayne Bay from continued degradation. DeSantis said his office will continue to support the $1.6 billion Everglades Agricultural Area reservoir, which was approved by the Legislature in 2017 but has …

Florida Beef for the Holidays

The Florida Beef Council (FBC) is promoting various ideas where beef would make a great choice for any of your holiday meals. FBC Director of Education & Promotion, DeAnne Maples, says there are so many great recipes you can use during the holiday season. That beefitswhatsfordinner.com, or for more information go to the FBC website, floridabeef.org. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester …

240,000 Chickens Die in Florida Fire

At least 240,000 chickens died early on Thursday morning when a fire roared through two barns in Florida owned by one of the nation’s largest distributors of eggs. The New York Times says the fire was reported at 1 a.m. by workers at the Cal-Maine Foods Facility in Dade County, Florida. Both barns destroyed by the fire contained two large …