(UF/IFAS) — Students are willing to get their hands slimy to learn about aquaculture. Youth in about 150 middle and high schools around Florida learn the aquaculture industry through the “Aquaculture in the Classroom” program, a partnership between public schools and UF/IFAS Extension. That’s more than a seven-fold increase in school participation from 2008, when the program started. Aquaculture serves …
Florida Cattlemen to Hold Legislative Quarterly
The 2020 Florida Legislative Session kicked off this week, which means it’s time again for the Florida Cattlemen’s Association (FCA) to hold their annual Legislative Quarterly in Tallahassee. FCA Director of Governmental Affairs, Sam Ard, said it will take place next Wednesday, January 22. More information can be found on the FCA website. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsNovember 8, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement Board …
Commissioner Nikki Fried on USTR Commitments to Seasonal Produce Protections
(FDACS) — Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried offered the following statement regarding formal commitments recently made by U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer to protect American seasonal produce growers from unfair trade practices harming the industry: “While discouraging that the USMCA and its implementing legislation lacked protections for our seasonal producers, I thank Ambassador Lighthizer for his formal commitments to address this urgent …
Commissioner Nikki Fried on 2020 Legislative Priorities
(FDACS) — Today marks the start of Florida’s annual 60-day legislative session. Agriculture Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried released a video highlighting a number of her top legislative priorities for the 2020 session. Following a highly successful first legislative session, Commissioner Fried and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services look forward to additional legislative successes in 2020. Improving Concealed Weapons Licensing: The bills, SB 1566 by Senator …
Key Senator Files Plan for Everglades, Water Money
(NSF) — The Senate’s top budget writer filed a proposal Monday that would put into law Gov. Ron DeSantis’ push to spend $625 million a year on Everglades and water-quality projects. The proposal (SB 1878), filed by Appropriations Chairman Rob Bradley, R-Fleming Island, would carry out a DeSantis priority to spend $2.5 billion over four years on such projects. The …
Weekly Livestock Market Report Week Ending 01-10-2020
Here are the weekly livestock market reports for Alabama, Florida, and Georgia, for the week ended January 10, 2020, compiled by the Livestock Market News Service for all three states. AL Livestock Market Report: At Alabama Livestock Auctions for the Week ended January 10, 2020, receipts at 21 markets totaled an estimated 12,346 head compared to 00,000 last week and …
DeSantis Environmental Plans Get Legislative Support
(NSF) — Gov. Ron DeSantis is making progress on his environmental wish list, as House members have joined senators in efforts that include setting up a statewide office focused on sea-level rise and creating more electric-vehicle charging stations. Also, Rep. Randy Fine, R-Palm Bay, and Sen. Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota, filed bills (HB 1091 and SB 1450) this week that back …
Florida Beef Council Hosting BQA Field Day
The Florida Beef Council (FBC) will be hosting a Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) Field Day this Saturday, January 11. FBC Director of Education & Promotion, DeAnne Maples, says the event will be held in Okeechobee. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsNovember 8, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Plays Critical Role To Extend ResearchNovember 7, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Funded Research Impactful for the Future of the Florida Cattle …
DeSantis Likely to Get Environmental Money in Session
(NSF) — Gov. Ron DeSantis appears poised for a victory as he seeks environmental money to combat water-quality problems that plague the state. DeSantis’ $625 million request for the upcoming legislative session includes money for Everglades restoration, fighting toxic algae outbreaks and boosting the Florida Forever land-preservation program, all issues popular among lawmakers and environmentalists. The proposal is the second …
New Hemp Rules in Effect
(FDACS) — On Jan. 1, food safety and animal feed rules for the new state hemp program under the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) went into effect. Regulations on hemp extract used in food and dairy products and animal feed have been incorporated into existing FDACS programs, hemp food establishment permits are available, and the department’s food safety inspectors are ready to conduct inspections. “We’re proud …