Fried Maintains Hold in Ag Race After Manual Recount

Former medical-marijuana lobbyist Nikki Fried is on the verge of being the only Florida Democrat to capture a statewide win, gaining votes over Republican state Rep. Matt Caldwell in the race for agriculture commissioner after a manual recount was completed Sunday. The manual recount also had no effect on the outcome of three razor-thin legislative races, in which Democrat Janet …

Farm Service Agency Accepting Emergency Forest Restoration Program Applications

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Acting State Executive Director Justin Teuton announced that 17 Florida counties are accepting applications for the Emergency Forest Restoration Program (EFRP) to address damages from Hurricane Michael. EFRP provides payments to eligible owners of nonindustrial private forest (NIPF) land to enable the owners to carry out emergency measures to restore land …

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U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Surveys Florida Timber Damage with Department Representatives

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue and representatives from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the Florida Forest Service, including State Forester Jim Karels, surveyed timber damage caused by Hurricane Michael and met with members of the timber industry. The Florida Forest Service, a division of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, had over 500 personnel involved …

Two Statewide Races Go to Manual Recounts

Floridians will have to wait a little longer to get official word about who will be the state’s next agriculture commissioner and who will serve in the U.S. Senate. Secretary of State Ken Detzner announced Thursday that manual recounts of “overvotes” and “undervotes” will be required in the two statewide races, as the margins between candidates were below 0.25 percent …

NRCS Programs Help after Natural Disasters

To help farmers and ranchers affected by the devastation caused by Hurricane Michael, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) staff in county, regional and state offices have been busy with a variety of programs to assist. One program through USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Alabama, Florida and Georgia has specific ways of helping. NRCS Acting Chief Leonard Jordan …

FDACS Accepting Applications for Specialty Crop Grants

Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam announced the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) is now accepting applications for $4 million in expected federal funding for the Florida Specialty Crop Block Grant program. The deadline to submit an application to the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program is Jan. 11, 2019. The grant, from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, …

First Florida NRCS Hurricane Assistance Signup Ends Friday

Florida farmers and ranchers who suffered damage to working lands and livestock mortality due to Hurricane Michael are being reminded the first sign-up period ends Friday, November 16. Agricultural producers in Bay, Calhoun, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Leon, Liberty, Wakulla and Washington counties are eligible to apply for assistance through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) at the USDA …

Florida Beef Council Pleased with Tampa Bay Beef Promotion

The Florida Beef Council (FBC) recently took part in a big 10-day event. Jim Handley, FBC CEO, says the council was pleased with the results from Tampa Bay Burger Week. Pleased with Tampa Bay Beef Promotion Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement Board Wraps up Funding YearJune 30, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Awarded Researcher Discusses New World …