(UF/IFAS-CALS) —After seeing beekeeping named on a Top 10 list of neat classes at the University of Florida, Carson Beattie wanted to see what the hype was all about. “That’s when I fell in love with beekeeping,” said Beattie, a geology major. “It’s exciting because you’re always on your toes. It’s a good way to destress from other things – …
Florida Beef Council Friendly Reminder
If you own or have owned cattle in 2019, chances are you received a letter from the Florida Beef Council (FBC) reminding you that beef checkoff assessments are due for any cattle you may have sold this past year. With the end of the year upon us, FBC Director of Education and Promotion DeAnne Maples has this friendly reminder for producers across the state: Sponsored …
Lawmakers Seek to Scuttle Conservation Appeal
(NSF) — The House, Senate and two state agencies asked the Florida Supreme Court this week to reject an appeal in a fight about how lawmakers carried out a 2014 constitutional amendment aimed at boosting land and water conservation. Attorneys for the Legislature, the Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services filed briefs Monday asking …
Fire Safety Tips: Christmas Tree Disposal
(FDACS) — The Florida Forest Service is encouraging Floridians to dispose of Christmas trees safely. Dry limbs and needles from discarded Christmas trees can be an ignition source for fire if not properly cleared away from homes and natural areas. “We are encouraging all residents and visitors to be vigilant this holiday season,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Nikki Fried. “Trees discarded improperly can quickly turn …
FDACS Grants Santa Claus Animal Movement Permit
(FDACS) — The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ (FDACS) Division of Animal Industry issued a Certificate of Animal Movement to Mr. and Mrs. Claus of the North Pole. The permit will allow their reindeer to enter and exit “all homes, domiciles, encampments, and premises in Florida” between the hours of 8:00 PM December 24, 2019 and 7:00 AM …
Florida, Feds Still Working on Timber Money
(NSF) — Florida has its “foot on the gas pedal” to get federal money to timber growers who sustained massive damage when Hurricane Michael hit the Panhandle last year. But agreements are still being finalized, with no set timeline for the first payments to go out from a $380.7 million block grant. Franco Ripple, a spokesman for state Agriculture Commissioner …
Weekly Livestock Market Report Week Ending 12-20-19
**This report will not be issued the next two weeks due to the markets being closed for the holidays** Here are the weekly livestock market reports for Alabama, Florida, and Georgia, for the week ended December 20, 2019, compiled by the Livestock Market News Service for all three states. AL Livestock Market Report: At Alabama Livestock Auctions for the week …
Fried Remains Opposed to Trade Deal
(NSF) — Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried isn’t joining the bipartisan support for a revised trade deal with Canada and Mexico that is backed by Republican President Donald Trump and the Democratic-run U.S. House. Fried, Florida’s only statewide elected Democrat, said she was “deeply disappointed” protections for seasonal growers were not included in the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, which is intended …
USMCA Leaves Florida Producers Out in the Cold
Congressman Ted S. Yoho (R-FL), member of the House Agriculture Committee, released the following statement after voting ‘no’ on the shortfalls of the USMCA agreement for Florida farmers. “NAFTA was originally created to remove traditional trade barriers and facilitate economic growth amongst the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Our great state of Florida is one of the biggest agriculture partners in …
Commissioner Nikki Fried Comments on House Passage of USMCA
(FDACS) — The U.S. House passed the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement (USMCA). In response, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried offered the following statement: “It is deeply disappointing that seasonal protections were not included in this USMCA implementing legislation. For nearly a year, I have called repeatedly for effective, timely relief from unfair trade practices for America’s seasonal produce growers in the USMCA. …