Commissioner Fried Statement to Congress on Cannabis Industry & Small Businesses

Tallahassee, Fla. (FDACS) â€“ 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 ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement Board Wraps up Funding YearJune 30, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Awarded …

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 ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement Board Wraps up Funding YearJune 30, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board …

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 ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement Board Wraps up Funding YearJune 30, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Awarded Researcher Discusses New World Screwworm …

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 …

Fried Rallies Support for Hemp Industry

TALLAHASSEE (NSF) — Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried on Friday encouraged supporters of a new state hemp industry to tell Gov. Ron DeSantis to sign a bill that would lead to a regulatory framework for the crop. Fried said an envisioned hemp “revolution” needs the governor’s signature on the bill (SB 1020), which would create a hemp program within the Department …

Governor Ron DeSantis Awards First Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan for Agricultural Producers Following Hurricane Michael

(TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Office of Governor): Governor Ron DeSantis announced the Department of Economic Opportunity has awarded the first Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan for agricultural producers following Hurricane Michael to John P. Jordan Farm in Bascom, Florida. The Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan was activated to provide relief to Florida farmers whose crops were damaged by the storm. “Hurricane …