By Sen. Ben Albritton I have enormous respect for Congressman Francis Rooney and his life of public service. However, I have grave concerns about the congressman’s recent misinformed, inaccurate, and hostile comments about agriculture in Florida. Describing any sector of Florida agriculture as a “menace” clearly shows a lack of understanding of how agriculture has been a highly successful partner …
A Balancing Act
In the world of small business there is a constant balancing act between what needs to be done versus what can be properly achieved with the resources available. For a grower, this means some farm improvements may be put off while addressing the main priorities of producing and harvesting a marketable crop. In the sector of niche journalism, under which …
Industrial Hemp Eyed to Help Farmers
Pointing to potential opportunities for farmers, state House members Tuesday continued moving forward with a plan that would help set the stage for an industrial-hemp industry in Florida. The state is trying to move quickly to take advantage of a 2018 federal law that legalized industrial hemp as an agricultural product. The House and Senate are working on bills that …
DeSantis, Cabinet Sign Off on Land Deals
Gov. Ron DeSantis and the state Cabinet on Tuesday approved paying more than $15 million to buy and preserve nearly 5,700 acres of land in South Florida and near the Georgia border in separate deals. The bigger of the two Florida Forever program purchases calls for spending $14.775 million to buy 5,534 acres within an area of Hendry County known …
Florida Beef Council Works with Second UCF Class
The Florida Beef Council (FBC) is pleased to announce a second class has now gone through a program conducted with the University of Central Florida culinary medicine students. FBC Director of Beef Marketing and Promotion, DeAnne Maples, says they have now put about 50 students through the program. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement Board Wraps up Funding …
Florida Department of Environmental Protection Addresses Ag Issues at Lay of the Land Conference
FDEP Secretary Noah Valenstein discusses growing water concerns, continued promotions for more urban growth, and views about agriculture south of Lake Okeechobee. By Gary Cooper Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) Secretary Noah Valenstein packed the room for his comments at the eleventh annual Lay of the Land Conference near Orlando late last week. The Lay of the Land Conference, hosted …
Governor Ron DeSantis Appoints Dr. Thomas K. Frazer as Chief Science Officer
Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Dr. Thomas K. Frazer as the State of Florida’s first Chief Science Officer. Joining Governor DeSantis at the announcement were Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Secretary Noah Valenstein and leadership of Florida’s environmental organizations. On January 10, Governor DeSantis announced major water policy reforms for the state of Florida by signing Executive Order 19-12 (Achieving …
Weekly Livestock Market Report Week Ending 03-29-19
Here are the weekly livestock market reports for Alabama, Florida, and Georgia, for the week ended Mar 29, 2019, compiled by the Livestock Market News Service for all three states. AL Livestock Market Report: At Alabama Livestock Auctions for the Week ended Mar 29, 2019, receipts at 21 markets totaled an estimated 14,200 head compared to 14,577 last week and …
Trump: Everglades Money ‘Coming Soon’
President Donald Trump discussed the importance of completing restoration of the Herbert Hoover Dike around Lake Okeechobee, and vaguely promised funding “coming soon” for the Everglades, following a tour of the structure Friday. “What we’re doing is very important — it was very dangerous and it’s a big project,” Trump said of dike repairs during a brief media appearance at …
Florida Cattlemen Hoping for More Legislative Funding
After scanning the proposed budgets released by both the Florida Senate and House, many in agriculture continue to work to seek better funding by the Florida Legislature. Florida Cattlemen’s Association (FCA) Director of Governmental Affairs, Sam Ard, explains what programs they are wanting more to see more dollars for. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement Board Wraps up Funding YearJune 30, …