Tampa, Fla. (FDACS) — Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried joined key Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services officials to host the second public hemp rulemaking workshop at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa. “The goal of these workshops is to hear from the public on the coming state hemp program — to create a successful and inclusive program, it’s essential …
Commissioner Fried Hosts First Hemp Rulemaking Workshop in South Florida
Pembroke Pines, Fla. (FDACS) –Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried joined key Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) officials to host the first public hemp rulemaking workshop at Broward College in Pembroke Pines. “The upcoming state hemp program marks a new industrial revolution — after eighty years of stalled progress, we can finally put hemp to work for farmers, entrepreneurs, …
FFBF Sends Letter to Gov. DeSantis About Final SFWMD Board Seat
The Honorable Ron DeSantisGovernor of FloridaPlaza Level 05, The Capitol400 S. Monroe StreetTallahassee, FL 32399-0001 Dear Governor DeSantis, On behalf of Florida Farm Bureau Federation (FFBF) and our 147,000 member families, we respectfully request that you consider filling the final South Florida Water Management Governing Board seat with someone who can represent agricultures interests. Agriculture is a primary consumptive user …
Commissioner Fried Statement to Congress on Cannabis Industry & Small Businesses
Tallahassee, Fla. (FDACS) – The U.S. House Committee on Small Business held a hearing on opportunities for small businesses within the cannabis industry. Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried submitted a statement to committee chairwoman U.S. Rep. Nydia Velázquez for entry into the Congressional Record. Below is the statement in full, which can also be viewed on Twitter. Statement of the Honorable Nicole “Nikki” FriedU.S. House Committee …
Facts of the Flow: Lake Okeechobee, 2019 Year-to-Date
Here is the latest update on inflows into Lake Okeechobee for the calendar year to date. There has been no back-pumping into Lake Okeechobee from the Everglades Agricultural Area this year. This data is provided by SFWMD’s DBHYDRO database. Source: SFWMD Sponsored ContentStrong Relationship Exists Between the Florida Cattle Enhancement Board and UF-IFASApril 17, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Funding For …
Water Management Discussed at FCA Convention
The 2019 Florida Cattlemen’s Association Convention and Trade Show continues today in Marco Island. One of the many issues discussed concerns the recent meeting held on algae and water management in Tallahassee. One of those attending last week’s meeting of the newly appointed Blue-Green Algae Task Force (BGATF) was FCA Executive Vice President Jim Handley. He told Southeast AgNet that cattle ranching plays an important …
Jack Payne Announces Retirement
After serving nearly 10 years as the senior vice president for agriculture and natural resources with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), Jack Payne announced he will retire next year. His last day with UF/IFAS will be July 1, 2020. Payne has overseen Extension offices across Florida and its 12 research and education centers since …
Florida Cattlemen’s Convention Underway
The 2019 Florida Cattlemen’s Association (FCA) Convention and Trade Show is now underway at the JW Marriott in Marco Island. Dusty Holley, FCA director of field services, talks about parts of the convention that many people look forward to each year. Sponsored ContentStrong Relationship Exists Between the Florida Cattle Enhancement Board and UF-IFASApril 17, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Funding …
Florida Cattlewomen Excited about Annual Convention
The 2019 Florida Cattlemen’s Association Convention and Trade Show kicks off Tuesday at the newly renovated JW Marriott in Marco Island. Florida Cattlewomen’s (FCW) President, Debbie Gill, says they are very excited about being back at Marco this year. Sponsored ContentStrong Relationship Exists Between the Florida Cattle Enhancement Board and UF-IFASApril 17, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Funding For Quicker Response to Research QuestionsApril …
Meetings on Algae, Citrus and Water Management Ring Alarms for Florida Agriculture
Three meetings this week in three different areas of the state brought more discussion that should wake up producers and others in agriculture who have remained mostly silent for decades. As the state’s population continues to swell by a 1,000 new residents each day, Florida’s population will likely exceed 22-million next year. As the nation’s third most populous state, there’s …