Florida Ag Commissioner Announces Funds Available to Landowners for Protecting Florida Land Program

Dan Florida, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), Forestry

(FDACS/TALLAHASSEE, FL/Jan. 25, 2023) — Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson and the Florida Forest Service announced that $2.6 million is now available to landowners through the Sequestering Carbon and Protecting Florida Land Program. The program offers landowners incentive payments to help increase the acreage of healthy forests in Florida. “We are proud to offer the Protecting Florida Land Program to help …

Livestock Market Reports for Week Ended 01-20-2023

Dan Alabama, Beef, Cattle, Florida, Georgia

Here are the weekly livestock market reports for Alabama, Florida, and Georgia for the week ended January 20, 2023, compiled by the Livestock Market News Service for all three states. AL Livestock Market Report: At Alabama Livestock Auctions, for the week ended January 20, 2023, receipts at 21 markets totaled an estimated 14,400 head compared to 15,820 last week and …

Gregory as Director of the Office of Florida Agricultural Water Policy

Dan Conservation, Environment, Florida, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), Irrigation, Legislative, Regulation, Water, Wetland, WOTUS Act

(FDACS/TALLAHASSEE, FL/Jan. 18, 2022) — Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced the appointment of West Gregory as the Director of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ (FDACS) Office of Agricultural Water Policy. “I’m honored to appoint West Gregory to lead our Office of Agricultural Water Policy. West Gregory has the unique experience and skillset – having worked …

Ian Estimated Agriculture Damages Tops $1B

Dan Agri-Business, Citrus, Economy, Field Crops, Florida, Fruits, Nursery Crops, Specialty Crops, Vegetables

(NSF/TALLAHASSEE, FL/Jan. 18, 2023) — A soon-to-be-released report will estimate Florida’s agriculture industry sustained about $1.07 billion in damages from Hurricane Ian, with growers of citrus, vegetable and horticultural crops taking the biggest hits from the wind, rains and flooding. But citrus growers think the estimate doesn’t show the full damage from the storm. The pending report from the University …

Land Deals Could Aid Wildlife Corridor

Dan Conservation, Environment, Florida

(NSF/TALLAHASSEE, FL/Jan. 17, 2023) — Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet on Tuesday approved $17.8 million in land-conservation deals that include protecting two properties that are part of an envisioned wildlife corridor stretching from the Keys to the Panhandle. With support growing for the corridor, which is expected to cost billions of dollars and take decades to complete, DeSantis …

Florida Beef Council Preparing for “Beef It’s What’s For Dinner 300”

Dan Beef, Cattle, Florida, Florida Beef Council (FBC), Marketing

The Florida Beef Council (FBC) continues their preparations for a big Beef Checkoff promotional event coming in February. Several folks from other states will be coming in to help out during the “Beef It’s What’s For Dinner 300” at the Daytona International Speedway. FBC Director of Education & Promotion, DeAnne Maples, is excited to be involved in this race for the third …

Livestock Market Reports for Week Ended 01-13-2023

Dan Alabama, Beef, Cattle, Florida, Georgia

Here are the weekly livestock market reports for Alabama, Florida, and Georgia for the week ended January 13, 2023, compiled by the Livestock Market News Service for all three states. AL Livestock Market Report: At Alabama Livestock Auctions, for the week ended January 13, 2023, receipts at 21 markets totaled an estimated 15,800 head compared to 8,399 last week and …

Florida NRCS State Technical Committee Meeting is January 18

Dan Conservation, Environment, Florida, USDA-NRCS

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida will host a State Technical Committee meeting on January 18, from 9:00am to 12:00pm (EST). The event will provide a report for natural resource and program priorities and USDA decisions and to seek recommendations from Florida agricultural leaders. Chaired by NRCS Florida State Conservationist Juan Hernandez, the committee is composed of individuals and …

USDA Reminds Sponsors to Request EWP Assistance in Florida by January 27

Dan Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) program, Florida, USDA-NRCS

Communities that experienced damage after Hurricane Ian can still seek assistance through the Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP), offered by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida. But, community sponsors are being reminded that requests for EWP assistance related to the hurricane are due to NRCS by January 27, 2023. “EWP provides immediate assistance to communities to mitigate potential hazards to life …

DeSantis, Cabinet Eye Land Conservation Deals

Dan Conservation, Environment, Florida, Legislative

(NSF/TALLAHASSEE, FL/Jan. 11,2023) — Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet next week will consider a series of proposed land deals that include preserving more than 12,000 acres in Northwest Florida and keeping three ranches from future development. During a meeting Tuesday, DeSantis and the Cabinet will decide whether to spend $18.09 million to buy 12,439 acres in Liberty County. …