The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently approved Florida’s state hemp program and today, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) began accepting applications from farmers seeking to grow industrial hemp. A 2018 federal farm bill legalized hemp as an agricultural product after decades of debate about the issue. Industrial hemp can be used in numerous products and …
Hoping for More Peanut Butter Purchases
To help peanut farmers during this time of COVID-19, there are requests for USDA to make more purchases of peanut butter for various programs. Tyron Spearman has the story. 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 …
Ag Commissioner Nikki Fried Sends Recommendations to Governor’s Re-Open Task Force
Tallahassee, Fla. – On Thursday, Agriculture Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried, a member of the Florida Cabinet, sent to the Governor a detailed report of recommendations to the Re-Open Florida Task Force. “As the Constitutional officer responsible for overseeing our state’s agriculture industry, and as your colleague on the Florida Cabinet, independently elected by the people of the great state of …
2020 FCA Annual Convention & Allied Trade Show Cancelled
(FCA) — With a heavy heart, the Florida Cattlemen’s Association has cancelled the 2020 Florida Cattlemen’s Annual Convention & Allied Tradeshow scheduled for June 23-25, 2020 at the Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate, Florida. The health and safety of attendees as well the logistical complications due to the COVID-19 pandemic, made the decision imminent. “This was not an easy decision, …
Commissioner Nikki Fried to Congress & USDA: “Too Little Too Late” for Florida Farmers
(FDACS) — Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried sent letters to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue and Florida’s congressional delegation urging further action to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19 on Florida’s agriculture industry. In the letters, Fried shared the Florida Seasonal Crop COVID-19 Impact Assessment released this week which projects losses for Florida agriculture upwards of $522 million. The USDA recently announced its …
Commissioner Nikki Fried Highlights COVID-19 Crop Losses
(FDACS) — Agriculture Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) released the Florida Seasonal Crop COVID-19 Impact Assessment, a new report providing data on crop losses facing Florida farmers. Based on figures reported by growers, total crop losses across the state through mid-April 2020 may exceed $522.5 million. Florida is the nation’s second-largest producer of seasonal specialty crops such as blueberries, strawberries, …
Weekly Livestock Market Report Week Ending 04-17-2020
Here are the weekly livestock market reports for Alabama, Florida, and Georgia, for the week ended April 17, 2020, compiled by the Livestock Market News Service for all three states. AL Livestock Market Report: At Alabama Livestock Auctions for the week ended April 17, 2020, receipts at 21 markets totaled an estimated 5,000 head compared to 3,306 last week and …
USDA Approves Florida’s State Hemp Program
(FDACS) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) formally approved Florida’s state hemp program, clearing the way for Florida growers to begin cultivating hemp later this month. Agriculture Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried, who will oversee Florida’s state hemp program through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), offered the following statement: “After months of incorporating feedback from the public, growers, and industry stakeholders, …
50th Anniversary of Earth Day Stresses Climate Change, Health
(UF/IFAS) — Cooped up inside during the novel coronavirus quarantine? Go for a walk. As you amble outside your home, bear in mind the effort required to preserve the beauty around you, says a UF/IFAS Extension regional sustainability agent. That message from Ramona Madhosingh-Hector resonates, especially as we near April 22, the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. This year, Earth …
USDA Invests to Protect Florida’s Natural Resources
(USDA/NRCS) — USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced that it is investing $16,508,441 million in Florida for partner-driven conservation projects through its Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). NRCS will leverage $20,822,664 million in partner contributions. “I’m excited to announce the first RCPP awards under the 2018 Farm Bill,” said Florida State Conservationist Rafael Vega (acting). “Through collaboration and aligning …