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 …

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. …

Nearly 170,000 Giant African Land Snails Eradicated in Eight Years

(FDACS) — For more than eight years, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) have been working cooperatively to eradicate the giant African land snail from Miami-Dade and Broward Counties. During that time, over 168,500 snails have been collected in 32 core areas of Miami-Dade County, and in one area of …

Mapping Soils in the Florida Everglades

During the South Florida sweltering heat this past August, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Soil Scientists Craig Prink and Martin Figueroa were out collecting soil samples in the Everglades in an effort to build a map that helps land managers understand resource concerns affecting the ecosystem, water quality and wildlife. Martin said, “This is the first digital soil map developed in Florida, on …

Storm System Will Bring Needed Rain to Florida

The latest drought monitor for the state of Florida shows large areas of moderate drought to abnormally dry conditions. But USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey says a storm system will bring needed rain to the state this weekend. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Funding For Quicker Response to Research QuestionsApril 10, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Opportunities That Spark Research ProjectsApril 3, …

Florida Beef for the Holidays

The Florida Beef Council (FBC) is promoting various ideas where beef would make a great choice for any of your holiday meals and get-togethers. FBC Director of Education & Promotion, DeAnne Maples, says there are so many great recipes you can use for the holiday season. The Beef Drool Log is a video featuring a Prime Rib Roast cooking to perfection on a rotisserie over open …