Commissioner Adam H. Putnam Briefs Vice President Mike Pence and Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue on Initial Agricultural Damage

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.–Hurricane Michael devastated the Florida Panhandle, and today Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam briefed Vice President Mike Pence and Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue on the initial agricultural damage assessment. Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Gary W. Black joined Commissioner Putnam for the briefing. Commissioner Putnam’s statement is below: “Hurricane Michael devastated the Florida Panhandle, and the safety …

Florida Farm Bureau Employees Make Major Donation to Local Food Bank

Gainesville, Fla. – Florida Farm Bureau is participating in a growing social media initiative to buy and donate 10 gallons of milk to a local food pantry. The challenge supports dairy farmers and also provides nutrition for food insecure families. Florida Farm Bureau Federation President John L. Hoblick and Florida Farm Bureau Insurance President Steve Murray challenged employees at the …

Florida NRCS Closing Gulf Coast Offices for Hurricane Michael

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida is closing its offices along the Gulf Coast in preparation for severe weather from Hurricane Michael. The status of office closures will be updated on the NRCS website. Contact a local Florida Field Office or Service Center here. Sponsored ContentStrong Relationship Exists Between the Florida Cattle Enhancement Board and UF-IFASApril 17, 2026Florida …

UF/IFAS Study Illustrates Value Floridians, Others Place on Springs

Thousands of people take the cool plunge into one or more of Florida’s 1,000-plus springs each year, and each person derives $20 to $43 in recreational value beyond their travel expenses per visit, a new University of Florida study shows. Springs are ideal destinations for swimming, snorkeling, canoeing, picnicking and diving, and they’re one of the oldest tourist attractions in …

Livestock Shelters Open in Alabama in Preparation for Hurricane Michael

Hurricane Michael is expected to strike Florida’s Panhandle on Wednesday. In preparation for this intense storm, the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) has been in contact with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Alabama Farmers Federation, Alabama Horse Council and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumers Services to provide temporary sheltering facilities for evacuated livestock, including horses and …

Florida and Georgia Renew Water Wars

Florida and Georgia have renewed their fight over the impact of Georgia’s water consumption on the Apalachicola River system. After the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in late June that Florida be given another chance to prove its case that Georgia’s overconsumption of water is damaging the Apalachicola region, the states filed a joint legal pleading this week before a federal …

A Community Celebration for Upcoming Sugar Harvest

In the midst of an ongoing algae debate, it can be difficult to remember the community of people who live in the Glades area. These communities and families live and breathe agriculture. Below is a news release from Florida Crystals regarding the Pre-Harvest Celebration held this past Sunday. The account below shows the communal support for agriculture in that area. …

Fair and Festival-It’s What’s Going On

The peanut harvest is underway all across the tri-state area. There is also some celebrations. Fair and Festival-It’s What’s Going On The Georgia National Fair opens Thursday, October 4th, and continues through the 14th of October. The fair features a lot of livestock shows. The fair isn’t just agriculture.  It has got something for everyone including livestock and horse shows. …

Putnam Says Trade Deal Falls Short for Florida Farmers

Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam would like the renegotiated and rebranded North American Free Trade Agreement to do more to help the state’s farmers. And he’s not alone, as U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., also expressed concerns about the absence of relief for Florida agriculture in the revamped trade pact announced late Sunday. Putnam, who has long been a critic …