(FDACS) — The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) is issuing additional guidance regarding COVID-19 for the agriculture industry, consumers, and regulated industries. “As COVID-19 further sweeps across our state, I want to remind Floridians that our food supply is safe, our agricultural industry is strong, and we’re going to get through this together,” said Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried. “We are …
Florida Lawmakers Pass $93.2 Billion Budget, Face Uncertainty
(NSF) — State lawmakers on Thursday approved a record $93.2 billion budget for next year, with attention already focused on a potential need to revisit the spending plan this summer as the novel coronavirus upends the economy. The budget (HB 5001), which takes effect July 1, was approved in a 104-0 vote by the House and a 32-0 vote by …
FFAA — Business as Near Normal as We Can Make It
(FFAA) — FFAA is working closely with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and others to ensure the agchem and grower supply chains are prioritized and deemed essential services. As of an 11:30 a.m. call on Wednesday, March 18, FDACS activities are proceeding as near normally as possible. Consideration is being given to extensions of expiring licenses and …
Public Field Hearings in Florida, Georgia on Seasonal and Perishable Produce Postponed
Washington, DC – Consistent with recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the field hearings scheduled in Florida and Georgia on April 7 and April 9 by the U.S. Trade Representative and the U.S. Departments of Agriculture and Commerce will be postponed and rescheduled at a later date. The Office of U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer had scheduled hearings …
Governor Ron DeSantis Issues an Executive Order Regarding Bars, Beaches and Restaurants
Governor Ron DeSantis issued an Executive Order that will reduce density and crowds in restaurants, bars, nightclubs and beaches to mitigate the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19). Bars and Nightclubs Under the direction of Governor DeSantis, all bars and nightclubs throughout Florida will close for the next 30 days. Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) will be enforcing and providing …
Educating Young Leaders About Florida Beef
Another edition of the Florida Cattlemen’s Association Leadership Academy is taking place, and this year the Florida Beef Councill (FBC) has been involved through a producer education program. FBC Director of Education & Promotion, DeAnne Maples, says this is a great way to get this information to young leaders. For more information, contact the FBC office in Kissimmee. Sponsored ContentCIR …
Florida Natural Resource Meeting Rescheduled
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida has announced the postponement of the Florida State Technical Committee meeting that was scheduled for March 24 due to the coronavirus outbreak. The meeting will be rescheduled for June 18. Please save the date, as additional meeting details will come out at a later time. For more information contact Nina Bhattacharyya, 352-338-9554. …
Florida Lawmakers to Vote Thursday on Budget
(NSF) — Florida lawmakers will vote Thursday on a record $93.2 billion budget for the upcoming fiscal year that includes spending $500 million to increase teacher pay and bolstering reserves as the novel coronavirus threatens state revenues. The budget was distributed Sunday evening, starting a legally required 72-hour review period before lawmakers can vote on it. The House and Senate scheduled …
Weekly Livestock Market Report Week Ending 03-14-2020
Here are the weekly livestock market reports for Alabama, Florida, and Georgia, for the week ended March 14, 2020, compiled by the Livestock Market News Service for all three states. AL Livestock Market Report: At Alabama Livestock Auctions for the Week ended-March 13, 2020, receipts at 21 markets totaled an estimated 11,100 head compared to 9,496 last week and 10,492 …
Florida Legislative Session to Wrap Up Wednesday
The last full week of the 2020 Florida Legislative Session has come to an end, but due to lawmakers working a bit longer on budget issues, it was extended a few days. Florida Cattlemen’s Association (FCA) Director of Governmental Affairs, Sam Ard, says they hope to wrap it all up next Wednesday. So again, the Florida Legislative Session should end …