(FDACS) — Commissioner Nikki Fried and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) are announcing additional COVID-19 testing sites in Hendry County for farmworkers as the fall harvest season begins. The product of a partnership with the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM), and local county governments, today’s announcement follows COVID-19 testing for farmworkers that was made available earlier this month in Miami Dade, Hillsborough, …
Weekly Livestock Market Report Week Ending 10-16-2020
Here are the weekly livestock market reports for Alabama, Florida, and Georgia, for the week ended October 16, 2020, compiled by the Livestock Market News Service for all three states. AL Livestock Market Report: At Alabama Livestock Auctions, for the week ending October 16, 2020, receipts at 21 markets totaled an estimated 14,800 head compared to 14,102 last week and …
DEP Acquires Land Within St. Joe Timberland Florida Forever Project
(FL/DEP) — The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), in partnership with the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida, has purchased a 578-acre parcel in Gulf County within the St. Joe Timberland Florida Forever project. The property lies within the Apalachicola River and Bay watershed and expands upon the state’s recent 20,168-acre addition to the Lake Wimico tract. Through this acquisition, the public will …
Commissioner Nikki Fried Announces Florida 2020 Woman of the Year in Agriculture
Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) announced Veronique Sallin as the 2020 Woman of the Year in Agriculture. For 36 years, this recognition has been awarded to women who have made exceptional contributions to Florida agriculture. Honorees come from throughout the agriculture community, including cattle, horticulture, timber, citrus, agriculture education, and more. “I’m proud to announce Veronique Sallin …
FDACS Submits 2021-2022 Legislative Budget Request
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) announced Thursday they were submitting the Department’s Legislative Budget Request (LBR) for Fiscal Year 2021-2022. The request focuses on key priorities for the Department, while taking into account the looming $5.5 billion revenue shortfall projection caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. “Our budget priorities of supporting Florida farmers, protecting consumers, improving water quality and …
Florida Preps for Algae Blooms from Lake Releases
(NSF) — Measures are in place to offset potential blue-green algae blooms after the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers started Wednesday to schedule water releases from lower Lake Okeechobee, according to the state Department of Environmental Protection. A news release late Wednesday said the department and the South Florida Water Management District are prepared to use “innovative technology” if needed …
UPDATE: FDACS Announces Farmworker COVID-19 Testing Efforts
Tallahassee, Fla. – Commissioner Nikki Fried and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) are announcing additional COVID-19 testing sites for farmworkers in St. Lucie and Miami Dade County as the fall harvest season begins. The product of a partnership with the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM), and local county governments, today’s announcement follows COVID-19 testing for farmworkers that was made available earlier …
Commissioner Fried Urges Farmers to Apply for 2018, 2019 Disaster Recovery Assistance
Tallahassee, Fla. – Ahead of the Friday, Oct. 30 deadline, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried is urging farmers to apply for assistance through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Program – Plus (WHIP+) for 2018 and 2019 losses. “For generations, Florida’s farmers have worked to feed our communities, country, and the entire world, and their success has come despite challenges like hurricanes, droughts, and wildfires,” shared Commissioner Nikki Fried. “But despite being adaptive in the face of adversity, as …
Florida Beef Council Taking Part in National Event
Various plans and promotions through the Beef Checkoff are being discussed this week during a national meeting. DeAnne Maples, director of education & promotion for the Florida Beef Council (FBC), says normally this event would have been held in Denver. But this year it is a virtual event. For more information about Beef Checkoff promotions in Florida, contact the FBC …
USDA Crop Report Forecasts Are Within Industry Expectations
USDA released their October crop forecasts last Friday, and according to a story from Stephanie Ho, the corn and soybean numbers are within industry expectations. Here are key findings for the Southern Region from the October Crop Production report: Alabama: Corn area planted for all purposes is estimated at 340,000 acres, down 30,000 acres from the previous estimate. Production is forecast …