More Citrus Research Projects Being Considered

Gary Cooper Citrus, Florida, International

Growers and industry leaders involved in helping guide citrus research funding decisions met again in recent days to ponder dozens of research projects that were not on the list recently recommended for funding by National Academy of Sciences advisors. In the first report below, AgNet’s Ernie Neff offers an overview of what was discussed and decided during the meeting. In …

Florida NRCS Cutoff Dates

Randall Weiseman Florida, USDA-NRCS

The Florida-Natural Resources Conservation Service has announced the cutoff date for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) applications will be accepted until close of business on February 27.The popular farm bill conservation programs offer technical and financial assistance to individuals interested in addressing natural resource concerns and wildlife habitat restoration. For more information …

FFB Couple Take Home National Honors

Randall Weiseman Florida

A Polk County couple was named runners-up in the American Farm Bureau Young Farmer & Rancher Achievement Award competition during the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 90th annual convention Jan. 11-14 in San Antonio. Larry and Jenny Black of Lakeland were runners-up in the Achievement Award contest. They will receive a Case IH DX compact tractor, courtesy of Case IH, and …

Vilsack’s Confirmation Hearing

Randall Weiseman Alabama, Florida, General, Georgia

Former Iowa Governor and U.S. Agriculture Secretary Nominee Tom Vilsack had his confirmation hearing before the senate ag committee on Wednesday. Vilsack fielded questions on everything from nutrition to farm programs saying that farmers need not worry about his support.

USDA Ramping Up Efforts To Keep Invasive Species Out of U S

Gary Cooper Alabama, Citrus, Florida, General, Georgia, International, Nursery Crops, Specialty Crops, Vegetables

This release in this week from USDA in Washington DC: New Methods Development Laboratory Planned for South Miami, Fla. WASHINGTON, Jan. 15, 2009–The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) plans to open a new Agriculture Quarantine and Inspection (AQI) and Port Technology Methods Development Laboratory in South Miami, Fla., later this year. Scientists at …

FL Beef Checkoff Keeps Working

Randall Weiseman Cattle, Florida

While beef checkoff dollars keep dwindling, the Florida Beef Council continues to look for ways to promote beef as studies from the University of Florida show how the checkoff does benefit producers.