Lake Okeechobee Levels Rising; Discharges to Increase

Dan Environment, Florida, Water

Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) Colonel Drew Kelly, commander of the Jacksonville District, held a media conference call on Feb. 22 to explain a change to the discharge schedules for Lake Okeechobee, as water levels are rising in the lake. Listen to the audio clip below to hear the entire press conference, including questions from South Florida media and Southeast …

DeSantis Makes Three Key Appointments to SFWMD in Naples

Dan Environment, Florida, Industry News Release, Water

Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointments of Charlette Roman, Charlie Martinez and Cheryl Anne Meads to the Board of the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) in Naples. The Governor was joined by all three appointees as well as Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection Noah Valenstein. “I’m pleased to announce the appointments of Charlie Martinez, Cheryl Anne Meads …

UF/IFAS Researchers Find Aromatic Strawberry Variety Grows in South Florida

Dan Florida, Fruits, Industry News Release, Research, Specialty Crops

As National Strawberry Day approaches on Feb. 27, University of Florida scientists have found another variety that can grow in South Florida. It’s largely unknown to American consumers, it’s temptingly tasty and it’s good for local markets, UF researchers say. Alan Chambers, an assistant professor of horticultural sciences with the UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, led a team …

DeSantis, Cabinet Look at Land Buys

Dan Environment, Florida, Industry News Release

Gov. Ron DeSantis and the state Cabinet next week will be asked to spend $2.54 million in the Florida Forever conservation program to buy land in Lake and Hamilton counties. The proposals, which the Cabinet will take up Feb. 26, would lead to paying $540,000 to acquire 83.4 acres in Lake County and paying $2 million for 316 acres in …

UCF Students Learn About Nutritional Aspects of Beef

Dan Beef, Cattle, Florida

The Florida Beef Council (FBC) continues to work with University of Central Florida (UCF) culinary medicine program students through a program helping them better understand the nutritional aspects of beef. DeAnne Maples, director of beef marketing and promotion, says the program is now in its third week.  Sponsored ContentFlorida Senator Shares Origins of Florida Cattle Enhancement BoardNovember 14, 2025CIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsNovember …

Lake Okeechobee Brouhaha Heats Up

Dan Environment, Florida, Water

by Gary Cooper The series of public meetings about Lake Okeechobee water levels and related issues continues this week in South Florida, hosted by the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers. According to last-minute media announcements this morning, Rep. Brian Mast (R-FL 18th District), is expected to attend the first of two public meetings today at 1:00 p.m. at Indian …

USDA Updates Wetland Determination Guidance

Dan Florida, USDA-NRCS

USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida wants to remind landowners across the state that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is improving the process by which it makes wetland determinations. Sponsored ContentFlorida Senator Shares Origins of Florida Cattle Enhancement BoardNovember 14, 2025CIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsNovember 8, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Plays Critical Role To Extend ResearchNovember 7, 2025Florida Cattle …

UF/IFAS Center to Take Integrated Approach to Solving Water, Land Use Issues

Dan Florida, Industry News Release, Research, Water

By taking a more holistic approach to challenging issues facing Florida, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences researchers will share more and better information about water and land use, including farming and urban landscapes, with the establishment of a new center. Jack Payne, UF senior vice president for agriculture and natural resources, said the center will galvanize …

UF/IFAS Master Gardeners Gear Up for Spring Festivals, Plant Sales

Dan Florida, Industry News Release, Nursery Crops

Spring is around the corner, and Master Gardeners across central Florida are gearing up for festivals and plant sales. The UF/IFAS Extension Master Gardeners Volunteer program, part of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, is celebrating 40 years in Florida. There are approximately 4,000 Master Gardener volunteers across the state, said Wendy Wilber, UF/IFAS Extension  state …

Weekly Livestock Market Report

Dan Alabama, Cattle, Florida, Georgia

Here are the weekly livestock market reports for Alabama, Florida, and Georgia, for the week ended February 15, 2019, compiled by the Livestock Market News Service for all three states. AL Livestock Market Report: At Alabama Livestock Auctions for the week ended February 15, 2019, receipts at 21 markets totaled an estimated 10,300 head compared to 12,321 last week and …