Florida Disaster Assistance and Hurricane Recovery Workshops

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) wants to remind agricultural producers affected by Hurricane Michael that representatives from USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Farm Service Agency (FSA), Rural Development (RD) and Risk Management Agency (RMA) will present disaster assistance workshops next week. Topics to be discussed include emergency assistance for livestock & crop-related expenses and losses; financial assistance programs …

Hurricane-Ravaged Florida Farmers Wonder Who’s Listening

While much of mainstream news seems to be stuck on mid-term campaign coverage or arguing about whether words matter, thousands of rural farm families severely impacted by Hurricane Michael and other recent storms are starting to wonder if their words are even being clearly heard. Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam hosted an agricultural listening session late Tuesday afternoon in Blountstown …

Assistance Helps Farmers, Ranchers Conserve Natural Resources

Application deadline for financial assistance Dec. 21 Florida farmers, ranchers and forest owners can apply until Dec. 21 for financial and technical assistance from USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) for fiscal year 2019 funding. Although applications are accepted on a continuous basis for all programs, funding selections are typically made once a year. Through EQIP, agricultural landowners may …

Water Woes Become a Political Wildcard

Throughout the summer, politicians heard from Floridians angered by the latest bouts of toxic blue-green algae in the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee rivers, along with a festering red-tide outbreak on the Gulf Coast. Protesters focused on the state’s handling of rising sea levels, a limited acknowledgement of climate change and past actions by Gov. Rick Scott such as reducing funding …

Putnam/FDACS Host Listening Session on Hurricane Michael Damage

Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam opens to a packed house in Blountstown, FL late this afternoon (Tuesday), with area residents participating in a listening session hosted by his Department. Reviewing the latest information available regarding damage assessments for various crops in the region, Putnam pointed out there has been devastating damage to many crops including some that have no established …

Central Florida UF Researchers Use Drones to Assess Hurricane Michael Damage in Panhandle

Researchers with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences recently traveled to Panhandle counties to include Gadsden, Jackson and Calhoun with their drones to assess damage after Hurricane Michael devastated the region. “This is the first time UF/IFAS scientists have used drones to determine agricultural crop damage and yield reduction,” said Jim Fletcher, a regional specialized agent …

Florida Beef Council Preparing for 2019

The Florida Beef Council (FBC) will soon be meeting to discuss plans for 2019. FBC CEO Jim Handley explains what will be discussed. Florida Beef Council Preparing for 2019 Sponsored ContentFL Cattle Enhancement Board Wraps up Funding YearJune 30, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Awarded Researcher Discusses New World Screwworm OverviewJune 19, 2026Verdant Robotics Offers Growers Targeted Application of Herbicides or …