By Gary Cooper One of several bombshells dropping at last week’s South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) governing board meeting was the resignation of district executive director Ernie Marks. In the audio clip below, Governing Board Member and Vice Chair Brandon Tucker echoed the feelings of several other board members about Marks’ resignation: There was no quorum at last week’s …
Summary of the 2018-19 Florida Bull Test & Bull Sale
The 2018-19 Florida Bull Test Sale was held last month at the University of Florida, North Florida Research and Education Center (NFREC) in Marianna. And according to Beef Nutrition Specialist Nicolas DiLorenzo, they had an excellent turnout and a very dynamic sale of 59 bulls from 4 different breeds. And despite the impact of Hurricane Michael on NFREC facilities and the community, the …
Executive Resigns, Politics Exposed at SFWMD Board Meeting
Soon-to-exit South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) governing board members offered parting comments at the SFWMD governing board meeting today in West Palm Beach. The entire board was asked to resign and put under pressure to do so by Gov. Ron DeSantis and South Florida Congressman Brian Mast, who is advising the governor on agricultural and environmental issues. The resignations …
Agriculture Chairman Seeks State Hemp Program
With officials seeing a potentially lucrative industry, Senate Agriculture Chairman Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula, is proposing creation of a state hemp program. Albritton on Thursday filed a bill that would set up the program under the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The bill came after Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried last week named Holly Bell as the state’s first director …
UF Hosts International Forest Health Expert
The world is more interconnected than ever. Globalization allows for vast economic growth and development. However, there can be unintended consequences – the introduction of potentially threatening non-native species into new ecosystems. “Many small but mighty pests and pathogens are moving around the world,” said Jiri Hulcr, an associate professor with the UF/IFAS School of Forest Resources and Conservation (SFRC), …
Four Ag Leaders Inducted into Hall of Fame
The 40th Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame banquet took place last night in the special events hall on the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa. Four distinguished ag leaders were inducted into the hall of fame. The evening began with a reception, during which agriculturalists from different industries were able to mingle and catch up with old friends. Following the reception …
UF/IFAS Researchers: Robots May Run Future Farms
Agriculture, one of the world’s oldest vocations, is also one that continues to reinvent itself with new technology. From the introduction of the steel plow to automated tractors to modern fertilizer applications, technology has improved effectiveness and increased efficiency. In this evolution, durable materials like hot rolled carbon steel NY play a vital role, providing the strength needed for reliable …
Florida Hurricane Relief Fund Signup Ends Friday
Farm families in North Florida who suffered losses due to Hurricane Michael, are being reminded Friday, February 15th is the deadline to apply for relief funding created by the Florida Farm Bureau Federation (FFBF). Applications can be made by farmers and ranchers in North Florida who were impacted by the hurricane for relief funding to help those recovering from agricultural-related losses due …
DeSantis, Senators Seek Everglades Money
Gov. Ron DeSantis has joined U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio and U.S. Sen. Rick Scott in urging President Donald Trump to include $200 million a year in the federal budget for the Everglades. In a letter released this week, the three Florida Republican leaders requested a commitment for construction funding. “The federal-state partnership to restore the Everglades is critical to protecting …
Saving the Florida Scrub-Jay
The Florida scrub-jay is on the brink of extinction, as less than 10 percent remain due to development pushing them out of the only place they can survive: dense scrub oak and saw palmettos packed into the dry sandy hills of the Florida scrub. But a man known as “Mr. Scrub Jay” to friends and family, Fred Hunter, has dedicated …