Family farmer Sam Accursio from Homestead was among the last four remaining South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) governing board members who spoke their minds bluntly during their final board meeting last month. Accursio’s family has been farming vegetables in Homestead for generations. He says recent actions and operational decisions could indicate a change of direction for the regional flood …
Florida’s Beef, Dairy and Allied Industries Generated Billions in Revenues in 2017
As Florida approaches the 500-year anniversary of the introduction of cattle to her shores in 1521, a new report from the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) demonstrates just how important beef and dairy production have become to the state’s economy – and shows a recent upswing in Florida cattle industry exports. In 2017, Florida’s combined …
Florida Cattlemen to Hold Legislative Quarterly
Now that the 2019 Florida Legislative Session is underway, this week the Florida Cattlemen’s Association (FCA) will hold their annual Legislative Quarterly in Tallahassee. FCA Director of Governmental Affairs, Sam Ard, said Wednesday is a big day of events. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Awarded Researcher Discusses New World Screwworm OverviewJune 19, 2026Verdant Robotics Offers Growers Targeted Application of Herbicides …
South Florida Environmentalist Shares Concerns Amidst Growing Water-Quality Debate
A native of the Pacific Northwest and now a resident of St. Lucie County, Nyla Pipes began working in 2013 with those concerned about growing water-quality and related environmental issues in Florida. She’s been a driving force and is now executive director of the non-profit One Florida Foundation. Pipes gave an exclusive interview following the February meeting of the South …
FFB President on Ag Commissioner Fried: ‘She’s the Real Deal’
Speaking with AgNet Media’s Gary Cooper last week at the state Capitol during Florida Farm Bureau (FFB) Days in Tallahassee, FFB President John Hoblick said he’s impressed with the passion and communicative capabilities that the state’s new agriculture commissioner brings to the job. Hoblick said he and others in Florida agriculture are growing with concern about the communications challenge to …
Florida Congressman Francis Rooney to ‘Deal with the Continuing Menace of Agriculture’
Singling out farmers south of Lake Okeechobee during a speech to area residents in Cape Coral, Florida, in late February, Rep. Francis Rooney (R – SW FL District 19) stated he wants to “try to deal with the continuing menace of agriculture in the EAA (Everglades Agriculture Area).” This video excerpt of the congressman’s comments, transcribed below, is now being …
Weekly Livestock Market Report Week Ending 03-08-19
Here are the weekly livestock market reports for Alabama, Florida, and Georgia, for the week ended March 08, 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 8, 2019, receipts at 21 markets totaled an estimated 7,200 head compared to 9,047 last week and …
Senators Roll Out Hurricane Relief Plan
Northwest Florida lawmakers Thursday promoted a $315 million proposal that would make loans available to local governments still reeling from Hurricane Michael. The proposal also would set up a task force to determine additional state assistance for the storm-battered region. The wide-ranging Senate bill (SB 1610) comes after numerous other proposals have been filed in the House and Senate to …
FFB ‘Taste of Florida Agriculture’ Event Engages Lawmakers
Farm Bureau (FFB) members again hosted state lawmakers for food and festivities during the opening week of the legislative session, during their annual Farm Bureau Days event Wednesday at the state Capitol. Farm Bureau organizes this function and involves many of the state’s other commodity groups and related businesses, as a way to help educate lawmakers about the depth and …
Southern Cover Crops Council Conference
Farmers across the Southeast are encouraged to take part in the 2nd Southern Cover Crop Conference, July 16-17 in Auburn, Alabama. The event, hosted by the Southern Cover Crop Council, will be a good educational and networking experience for farmers and service providers. There will be many farmer speakers, equipment demos, and even lunch is provided. USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service …