Industrial hemp a featured topic at UF/IFAS ag policy conference Feb. 26 in Balm

Industrial hemp may soon be a financially significant crop in Florida, and an expert with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences will discuss some of the challenges and opportunities related to this fledgling industry at the fourth annual Florida Agricultural Policy Outlook Conference in Balm. The conference happens 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 26 …

Lone Cabbage Reef off Florida Coast

Back in December, the University of Florida/IFAS held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate construction of a three-mile-long artificial reef off the Nature Coast. UF/IFAS Senior Vice President for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Jack Payne, says they restored a large oyster reef. Images courtesy of University of Florida/IFAS. See more here. Sponsored ContentStrong Relationship Exists Between the Florida Cattle Enhancement Board and UF-IFASApril 17, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement …

Florida Beef Council Working with UCF

The Florida Beef Council (FBC) is working with the University of Central Florida (UCF) in getting information to culinary medicine program students about the nutritional aspects of beef. DeAnne Maples, director of beef marketing and promotion, says information is being offered to fourth-year medical students. Sponsored ContentStrong Relationship Exists Between the Florida Cattle Enhancement Board and UF-IFASApril 17, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides …

Trump Administration Appoints Sherry McCorkle to Serve as State Executive Director for USDA/FSA in Florida and US Virgin Islands

The Trump Administration recently appointed Sherry McCorkle as the new State Executive Director for the USDA Florida/US Virgin Islands Farm Service Agency (FSA). McCorkle will join the Florida/US Virgin Islands FSA team on February 11, 2019. McCorkle most recently served as the deputy district director for representative Thomas J. Rooney (retired) and more recently representative Gregory Steube where she supported …

New Crops Proposed After Michael Devastation

Hemp and hops are being promoted among alternatives for crops wiped out by Hurricane Michael in the eastern Panhandle. Glen Aiken, director of the University of Florida’s North Florida Research and Education Center, said Monday the need for alternatives has grown as farmers in an eight-county region suffered most of the estimated $1.5 billion hit to the state’s agriculture industry …

News from Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried: Week of January 28th, 2019

From Commissioner Nikki Fried It’s been a busy past few weeks making our way around the state — from touring our Panhandle communities to survey the damage from Hurricane Michael, to hearing from members of the Miami-Dade County Farm Bureau, to working with my fellow Cabinet members to honor and remember the victims of the Parkland tragedy.I’m thrilled to continue …

Florida Set to Receive Funds as USDA Awards $200 Million to Agriculture Organizations

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a $200 million award to  57 organizations through the Agricultural Trade Promotion Program to help the nation’s agriculture community identify and access new export markets. The Florida Department of Citrus was one of the specified organizations and is set to receive $550,000 in funding to promote citrus in various new markets. Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried shared, â€śWe’re thrilled the USDA has provided this opportunity …

Tickets Available for the Florida Ag Hall of Fame Banquet

The Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame banquet is quickly approaching. Ray Hodge, president of the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame Foundation, is encouraging industry members to purchase tickets as he expects a big crowd at this year’s event. According to Hodge, the four inductees for 2019 have been great representations of Florida agriculture. “This year’s class is very diverse, but …