(FDACS) — Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) is advising agriculture producers, farmers, ranchers, and other agriculture-related businesses to apply for the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). The program is part of the CARES Act, the $2 trillion federal coronavirus response package. “Florida agriculture is the backbone of our economy and a pillar of strength through …
FFBF and FDACS Host Town Hall on COVID-19 & Florida Agriculture
Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried and Florida Farm Bureau President John L. Hoblick held a town hall meeting on Thursday with the state’s agriculture community on pressing issues. Some of the topics of discussion included: Ensuring agriculture and all related industries are essential at the federal, state and local levels. Promoting the continued and efficient processing of H-2A worker visas. Inter- and intra-state weight waivers for …
Commissioner Nikki Fried Guidance on Essential Food and Agriculture Workers During Stay-at-Home Order
(FDACS) — In response to the Governor issuing a stay-at-home order due to COVID-19, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried offered the following statement on the essential role of food and agriculture workers who are exempt from this order. This exemption is consistent with the Department of Homeland Security’s identification of essential critical infrastructure workers during COVID-19 response. “Agriculture is Florida’s second-largest industry, and it’s first-largest in …
Asking for Agriculture Assistance in Florida
(NSF) — Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried wants the federal government to act as quickly as possible to deliver part of a new stimulus package to aid farmers. In a letter to U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue this week, Fried said many of Florida’s 47 thousand growers are sitting on surpluses of products as restaurants and other establishments have closed …
Florida Wetland Reserve Easement Applications Due Next Week
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida reminds landowners across the state that the deadline for applications to fund Wetland Reserve Easements (WRE) is coming up next Monday, April 6. Agricultural landowners and Indian tribes can apply for a WRE to restore wetlands, protect wildlife habitat and recharge groundwater on their property. Eligible landowners can enroll in a permanent …
Farmers and Other Essential Food Production Workers will Carry Permission Letters during COVID-19 Shutdown
(U.S. Sugar) — All U.S. Sugar employees and suppliers who have been deemed essential to the nation’s food supply and national security will begin carrying authorization letters to inform authorities that they are approved to be out of their homes and working. “Our farmers, workers and other essential food production vendors will continue working around the clock to keep safe, …
Chief Economist Comments on Cotton Planting Intentions
When USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) released its 2020 Planting Intentions Report Tuesday, it noted growers intend to plant 13.7 million acres of cotton this year, which is down less than 1% from last year. USDA Chief Economist, Rob Johansson, talked about what the new report says about possible cotton acreage for 2020. Key findings for crops here in …
Commissioner Nikki Fried Letter to USDA Secretary Perdue: Ensure Farmers Are “Not Left Behind”
(FDACS) — Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried sent a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue requesting flexibility to help move Florida perishable crops quickly to food banks, school meal programs, and other federal food purchase programs. With many restaurants and food service establishments closed, Florida agricultural producers are facing a sudden market decline for fresh commodities ready to be harvested such …
Peanut Acreage Expected to Increase
USDA’s 2020 Planting Intentions Report indicates more acres will be going to peanuts this year than what we saw in 2019. Tyron Spearman has look at those numbers, along with an update on some other crops. According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), corn planted area for all purposes in 2020 is estimated at 97.0 million acres, up 8% …
Planting Intentions Indicate Slightly Less Cotton in 2020
USDA released its 2020 Planting Intentions Report today, and according to the numbers, there will be slightly less acres of cotton this year compared to last year. Chris Singh with USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) has the details. Cotton growers intend to plant 13.7 million acres in 2020, down less than 1% from last year. Upland area is expected …