Gov. Ron DeSantis, appearing in areas hit hard by outbreaks of toxic algae and red tide, signed an executive order Thursday expanding state efforts to improve Florida’s troubled waters. And while he took shots from environmentalists on the campaign trail last year when arguing that climate change is not a problem for state government to alleviate, DeSantis said Thursday his …
New “Ask NRCS” Brochure for Organic Farmers
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in Florida wants organic producers to know there is a new booklet that was developed to assist in communicating about NRCS programs organic production. The new “Ask NRCS” brochure covers a variety of natural resource concerns and conservation practices including soils, water, air, plants, animals and energy. Conservation technical assistance through NRCS helps farmers and ranchers address …
Florida Foundation Seed Producers Affected by Hurricane
In the months since Hurricane Michael hit the panhandle of Florida, cleanup continues in many areas. As we know, the storm was so devastating that it not only wiped out a lot of farmers’ 2018 crop, but it also went after future crops. Some folks may be familiar with the Florida Foundation Seed Producers (FFSP), the place many farmers get seeds …
Senators Back Rooting Out Vegetable Garden Regulations
Despite concerns from the Florida League of Cities, a Senate committee Tuesday approved a bill that would largely prevent local governments from regulating homeowners’ vegetable gardens. The Senate Community Affairs Committee unanimously backed the measure (SB 82), which Sen. Rob Bradley, R-Fleming Island, has filed for the legislative session that starts March 5. The Senate passed a similar bill during …
Commissioner Nikki Fried Inaugurated as 12th Florida Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Commissioner lays out a fresh agenda that will keep Florida growing Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried was inaugurated as Florida’s 12th Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services. As Commissioner, she will oversee a $1.8 billion department with nearly 4,000 employees, a $137 billion economic impact, and widespread responsibility for Florida’s food production and safety, consumer protection and licensing, and our state’s …
UF Researchers to Breed a New Variety of Florida-Friendly Hops
Researchers with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences have been awarded a two-year grant for $194,000 to breed varieties of hops that can grow in Florida. The researchers, based at the UF/IFAS Mid Florida Research and Education Center in Apopka, Florida, said the grant will help continue their work to bring an alternative crop to the …
Florida Beef Council Working with Food Service Industry
The Florida Beef Council (FBC) is working with food service folks in a variety of ways this month. In our beef checkoff report, DeAnne Maples, director of beef marketing and promotion, says January is a great time to kick this off. And she wants those interested in becoming more active to know that applications are now being taken for Team Beef Florida. …
Lawmakers Eye ‘Long, Long Recovery’ from Hurricane
Hurricane Michael, which pummeled 10 Panhandle counties and spurred evacuation orders for 375,000 Floridians in October, left nearly seven times the debris of Hurricane Irma, which barreled across 45 counties in 2017. And in the three months since Michael came ashore at Mexico Beach, debris continues to be picked up, more than 102,000 people have registered for assistance, and 16 …
UF ‘Plant Whisperer’ Helps Floridians Keep Produce Lush, Green and Safe
Liz Felter gazes at the tomato plant and considers it quietly for a few seconds. Stroking the discolored leaves, she sticks two fingers in the soil and pushes the dirt down. “My gut tells me it’s not Erwinia,” says Felter, a University of Florida IFAS Extension regional specialized agent. The visitor to the UF/IFAS Diagnostic Plant Clinic in Apopka merely …
New Florida Ag Commissioner to Be Sworn in Tuesday
Florida Agriculture Commissioner-elect Nikki Fried, along with Governor-elect Ron DeSantis, returning Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis and Attorney General-elect Ashley Moody, will all be formally sworn into their jobs during a ceremony at 11 a.m. Tuesday on the steps of the Old Capitol in Tallahassee. According to a story from the News Service of Florida (NSF), various activities will be …