SW FL Ag Study Highlights Conference Opening

Gary Cooper Citrus, Florida

Both these reports have Southeast AgNet’s Katherine Bush on-the-scene where a presentation of an in-depth ag industry study in Southwest Florida highlighted opening day activities for the Florida Citrus Mutual Conference at a Bonita Springs resort. The Conference has some seminars on the program for part of Thursday and golf, fishing and fun time set for Friday before it concludes …

Oklawaha River Cleanup

Randall Weiseman Florida, General, USDA-NRCS

Just in time for the 2007 hurricane season,USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in Florida has just finished a major project clearing debris left in the Oklawaha River after the 2004 season. Report (1:30 mp3)

Red Palm Mite Worries

Randall Weiseman Florida, Nursery Crops

Agriculture Commissioner Charles Bronson says the red palm mite could threaten Florida’s ornamental palm industry. The mite causes serious leaf damage, which ruins the ornamental value of palms, and as much as a 50 percent loss in coconut production. More information can be found on the FDACS website here. Report (1:00 mp3)

Conditions, Conferences, & Greening Tree at CITRUS EXPO

Gary Cooper Citrus, Citrus Expo News, Florida

In the first of today’s citrus reports, a review of Florida citrus crop conditions from the Ag Statistics Service. In the second report, a preview of this week’s Florida Citrus Mutual Conference at Bonita Springs Resort, and news about approvals for a “greening tree” to be on display at Citrus Expo August 22nd & 23rd in Ft. Myers. Report (1:28 …

FL SART Holds Training Conference

Randall Weiseman Florida, General, Livestock

Various folks involved with both agriculture and emergency management in Florida attended a conference this past week for the State Agricultural Response Team.  Report (2:00 mp3) To learn more about SART Click Here

FL Legislative Alert

Randall Weiseman Florida, General

Florida Farm Bureau is urging members to contact their congressmen and ask them to vote against a bill that would delete the word navigable from the Clean Water Act. This proposal would potentially regulate nearly every wet area in the nation, including farm ponds and ditches. More information can be found on the FFB website here.

Soil Fumigant Meetings

Randall Weiseman Florida, General, Specialty Crops, Vegetables

Florida producers are being urged to attend a meeting June 5 to prepare for the EPA Soil Fumigant Pesticides meeting to be held in Ft. Myers on Wednesday June 6. The working dinner meeting will be 5:00 p.m. at the Clarion Hotel in Ft. Myers. The EPA meeting will be on June 6, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at …

FL Counties Designated Disaster Areas

Randall Weiseman Florida, General, Weather

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has designated seven Florida counties primary natural disaster areas. Palm Beach County was designated a primary natural disaster area because of freezing temperatures that occurred in February. Also eligible because they are contiguous are Broward, Hendry and Martin counties. Highlands, Jefferson, Lafayette, Madison, Okeechobee and Taylor counties were designated primary natural disaster areas because of …

SART Prepares for Hurricane Season

Randall Weiseman Florida, General, USDA-NRCS, Weather

The Florida State Agricultural Response Team kicked off the new hurricane season by hosting its first annual statewide training conference last week in St. Petersburg. Among the agencies participating was USDA’s state Natural Resources Conservation Service. Report (1:00 mp3)