Five Counties in Georgia as Primary Natural Disaster Areas with Assistance to Producers in Florida

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated Atkinson, Clinch, Coffee, Jeff Davis and Ware counties in Georgia as primary natural disaster areas due to losses and damages caused by a recent drought. Farmers and ranchers in the following contiguous counties in Georgia also qualify for natural disaster assistance. Those counties are: Appling Charlton Pierce Bacon Echols Telfair Ben Hill Irwin Toombs Berrien Lanier Wheeler Brantley …

Florida Easement Restoration Applications are Due Friday

USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida is seeking assistance to complete restoration work of degraded wetlands, floodplains and forestlands. But proposals from qualified individuals and organizations must be received by May 18, 2018. Florida Easement Restoration Applications are Due Friday Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement Board Wraps up Funding YearJune 30, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement …

Celebrating Beef Month in Florida

We’ve reached the midway point of May Beef Month in Florida, and the Beef Checkoff has been busy with various ways of promoting the beef industry in the state. Allyson Trimble, Florida Beef Council director of beef marketing and promotions, says she is in the middle of a month-long social media campaign. Celebrating Beef Month in Florida Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly …

Ag Commissioner Candidates Eye Disaster Plans

After farmers and ranchers sustained heavy damage in Hurricane Irma, candidates for state agriculture commissioner are offering a variety of approaches to make Florida’s food chain more resilient before future natural disasters. Sen. Denise Grimsley, R-Sebring, wants the state to expand on a temporary relief package for farmers that the Legislature rolled out after Hurricane Irma. Rep. Matt Caldwell, R-North …

USDA/NIFA Invests in Research on the Implications of Gene Editing Technologies

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) announced awards to advance research on public engagement and the implications of gene drive and other gene editing technologies. The funding is made possible through the Social Implications of Emerging Technologies initiative within NIFA’s Agriculture Economics and Rural Communities (AERC)’s program area. “Recent advances in gene editing …

Ag Interest Spread Cash in Cabinet Race

From farmers to horse trainers, agricultural interests put up more than $100,000 in April to support three candidates running for Florida agriculture commissioner, with U.S. Sugar Corp. accounting for $30,000, new finance reports show. Republicans Denise Grimsley of Sebring, Matt Caldwell of North Fort Myers and Baxter Troutman of Winter Haven each topped six figures in April fundraising, with Troutman’s …

Five Questions for Republicans Running for Florida Agriculture Commissioner: Part 5

The three Republican candidates for Florida Agriculture Commissioner presented their views to approximately 200 attendees at a recent Candidate Summit Luncheon near Orlando. Coldwell Banker Commercial Saunders Real Estate organized and hosted the event in conjunction with its  10th annual Lay of the Land Conference, which draws a strong agricultural following. This is the fifth part in a Q&A series of …

Florida Farmers Discuss Labor Reform with Lawmakers

Folks involved in Florida agriculture have been in Washington D.C. this week discussing various issues with their Congressional delegation. Florida Farm Bureau Federation’s annual Field to the Hill fly-in event has given them a chance to talk about many issues, including labor reform. Southeast AgNet’s Abbey Taylor, who also made the trip to Washington D.C., talked with citrus grower and …