Pre-Register NOW For Citrus Expo!

Gary Cooper Citrus, Citrus Expo News, Florida

Citrus Expo is a private industry two-day seminar and trade show program for commercial citrus growers, grove owners, managers and industry leaders. It is set for Wednesday and Thursday, August 22 & 23, 2007 in Ft Myers. Hear more general details in report one posted below. In the second report, Dr Bill Castle at University of Florida’s Citrus Research and …

Suwannee Funds

Randall Weiseman Florida, USDA-NRCS

The Ag appropriations bill recently passed by the House includes funding to continue the implementation of practices to reduce dairy and poultry runoff impacting the Suwannee River. Florida state conservationist Niles Glasgow with USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service says this cooperative program has been extremely effective. Report (1:00 mp3)

Marion County FB Scholarships

Randall Weiseman Florida, General

The Marion County (FL) Farm Bureau board voted last week to support two scholarship endowments for a total of $130,000 – $30,000 for Central Florida Community College in Ocala and $100,000 for the University of Florida Report (:30 mp3)

FL Sart Starts at Local Level

Randall Weiseman Florida, General, Livestock

Florida’s State Veterinarian encourages all counties in the state to learn more and be involved with the State Agriculture Response Team.  Report (1:15 mp3) To learn more log on www.flsart.org

Illegal Immigration Crackdown Could Be Imminent

Gary Cooper Citrus, Florida, General, Specialty Crops, Vegetables

According to reports we’re getting from a number of sources, a federal crackdown on employers who employ illegal immigrants could be imminent. Growers are encouraged to contact their grower associations for details on how to best prepare. By the way, for growers interested in obtaining foreign labor legally, the sponsor of this report is a good place to start. Click …

Future of Florida Biofuels

Randall Weiseman Energy, Florida, General

A middle school student from Merritt Island was in the spotlight at the 2007 Florida Farm to Fuel Summit last month in St. Petersburg for her work in making biofuels. Erin McCaskey, 12, attends Thomas Jefferson Middle School and her seventh grade science project last year was making biodiesel from a variety of sources. For her eighth grade project, Erin …

FL Citrus Mutual: Research Funding a Continuing Challenge

Gary Cooper Citrus, Florida

Florida growers seem to have differing opinions as to whether Florida Dept of Citrus funds should be earmarked or research or remain exclusively for advertising and marketing to support stronger demand and grower prices. In this report, Florida Citrus Mutual’s top executive, Mike Sparks, offers comments on the debate and says the issue of citrus research funding needs will be …