Local governments have spent $17.3 million the state provided to combat outbreaks of red tide and toxic blue-green algae, which have caused massive fish kills and fouled waters in coastal areas for more than a year. And as red tide lingers in some Southwest Florida areas, and just $1.7 million of $19 million in state funding remains unspent by the …
Younger Generation Bringing New Energy to UF/IFAS Master Gardeners
Program Celebrates 40 Years in Florida Angie Dixon, 38, was working long hours as a project manager, but would spend weekends trolling plant shows and local community gardens. Though she loved everything about plants, she knew nothing about gardening. “I figured gardening would be a cool activity to do with my 5-year-old son,” said Dixon, of Orlando. “So, I bought …
UAV-based Remote Sensing Can Help Avocado Growers by Detecting Asymptomatic Pathogen
Remote imaging can effectively detect a pathogen that endangers the $100 million-a-year Florida avocado industry – even before the trees show symptoms — University of Florida scientists say. Yiannis Ampatzidis, an assistant professor of agricultural and biological engineering at the UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, led recently published research that shows that multispectral cameras can detect laurel wilt …
Sign-up for Team Beef Florida Ends Friday
The Florida Beef Council (FBC) encourages those interested in being a part of the third season for Team Beef Florida to sign up, as this Friday is the deadline. In our Beef Checkoff report, Erin Freel told Southeast AgNet’s Randall Weiseman that Team Beef members are trying to make healthy lifestyle choices and include beef as a part of that. Sponsored ContentFlorida Senator Shares Origins …
Florida Hurricane Michael Relief Fund Reminder
Farmers and ranchers in North Florida that suffered losses due to Hurricane Michael are being reminded that applications are still being accepted for help through “The Hurricane Michael Relief Fund for Agriculture”. Florida Farm Bureau Federation (FFBF) created the relief fund to help North Florida farm families recovering from agricultural-related losses from the storm. These applications are limited to North …
Weekly Livestock Market Report
Here are the weekly livestock market reports for Alabama, Florida, and Georgia, for the week ended January 18, 2019, compiled by the Livestock Market News Service for all three states. AL Livestock Market Report: At Alabama Livestock Auctions for the Week ended-January 18, 2019, receipts at 21 markets totaled an estimated 12,500 head compared to 12,412 last week and 5,784 …
Fried Honored to Serve Florida Agriculture
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture makes the following statement to Florida agriculture producers, consumers and families. I’m so honored to serve as your 12th Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services! It’s been an exciting first two weeks as we start working to implement our bold agenda and fresh vision for Florida’s farmers, consumers, and families. We’re working with our agriculture community to keep our second …
State, Plaintiffs Ask Court to Put Pot Case on Hold
Lawyers representing both sides in a lawsuit over the state’s ban on smoking medical marijuana have asked an appeals court to put the case on hold while they work out an agreement. The notice was filed at the 1st District Court of Appeal in Tallahassee, hours after Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday gave the Legislature until “mid-March” to repeal the …
Florida Ag Commissioner on Water Issues
In her first few days as Florida’s 12th Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Nikki Fried has hit the ground running. Coming into her new position, Fried noted that water is one of the main issues facing the state and her department. Sponsored ContentFlorida Senator Shares Origins of Florida Cattle Enhancement BoardNovember 14, 2025CIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsNovember 8, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement …
Desantis Presses Lawmakers for Pot Changes
Saying they failed to heed the will of voters, Gov. Ron DeSantis ordered Florida lawmakers Thursday to eliminate a ban on smokable medical marijuana and, if they don’t comply, threatened to drop the state’s appeal of a court ruling that found the prohibition ran afoul of a 2016 constitutional amendment. DeSantis, who had been widely expected to announce he was …