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 …
Weekly Livestock Market Report
Here are the weekly livestock market reports for Alabama, Florida, and Georgia, for the week ended February 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 Feb 08, 2019, receipts at 21 markets totaled an estimated 11,600 head compared to 6,899 last week and …
Lake O Levels: Rural Residents Offer Input, But Is Anybody Listening?
In one of a series of public meetings hosted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers this week and next, Okeechobee, FL residents last night packed the house for presentations and public input about the management of lake water levels. 200 people showing up for a meeting like this in Okeechobee is like 20,000 showing up on the coast, taking …
Commissioner Nikki Fried Appoints Holly Bell as Director of Cannabis
Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried announced her appointment of Holly Bell as the Director of Cannabis. Bell’s selection comes after a national search and interviews with multiple finalists for the position. In her role as Director of Cannabis, Bell will oversee the development of rules, work directly with scientific experts, and ensure Commissioner Fried’s vision for cannabis in Florida continues moving forward and now sells more and …