(NSF/Tallahassee, FL) — One of Florida’s most-powerful lawmakers and a North Miami Democrat touting a grassroots campaign are competing in the November 8th election to become state agriculture commissioner. Outgoing Republican Senate President Wilton Simpson has more name recognition, political connections and funding as he goes up against Naomi Blemur, the first Haitian-American to be a major-party candidate for a …
USDA Extends Time to Request Emergency Watershed Protection Assistance in Florida
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA NRCS) in Florida has announced it has granted a waiver to extend the time for a sponsor to request Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) assistance from 60 days to 120 days after Hurricane Ian. The deadline for a sponsor to request assistance for Hurricane Ian is January 27, 2023. A sample letter of request for EWP assistance is available for …
USDA Grant Signed to Connect Florida Schools with Underserved Farmers/Producers
(FDACS/Tallahassee, FL/Nov. 1, 2022) — Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried announced the signing of a $11.4 million cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) under the Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement Program (LFS). The program provides grant funds to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) Division of Food, Nutrition, and Wellness (FNW) to connect underserved farms with Florida schools participating in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) …
2023 Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame Inductees Announced
(FDACS/Tallahassee, FL/Nov. 1, 2022) — Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried and the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame Foundation announced John T. Woeste and Donald J. Quincey as the 2023 Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame inductees. The induction ceremony will be held at the Florida State Fair’s Agricultural Hall of Fame Banquet on February 14, 2023. “Florida agriculture has always played a key role in our state’s development and economy, …
Florida Beef Council Attends School Nutrition Conference
Each year, the Florida Beef Council (FBC) attends various events where they talk with many people about the benefits of beef. And FBC Director of Education & Promotion, DeAnne Maples, told Southeast AgNet’s Randall Weiseman she recently took part in an annual conference of those involved with school nutrition. For more information about Beef Checkoff promotions in Florida, contact the FBC office in …
Cathy Burns to Speak at Florida Ag Expo
The Florida Ag Expo is Wednesday, Nov, 2nd from 7:30am until 5:00pm at the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center in Wimauma, FL. Those attending will want to catch the morning general session, which will tackle the big issues impacting specialty crops. Cathy Burns, chief executive officer of the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA), will be speaking on trends impacting the produce industry. …
Livestock Market Reports for Week Ended 10-28-2022
Here are the weekly livestock market reports for Alabama, Florida, and Georgia for the week ended October 28, 2022, compiled by the Livestock Market News Service for all three states. AL Livestock Market Report: Due to the fact all of the Alabama market reporters attended training sessions this past week, none of the cattle sales across the state were covered. …
USTR, USDA to Assist Southeast Seasonal Produce Industry
The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) will pursue avenues to assist the Southeast seasonal produce industry in coordination with the United States Department of Agriculture. The announcement comes after members of Congress requested an examination of certain issues in a September 8, 2022, Section 301 petition. The 301 statute requires that USTR make a decision on whether …
Two Florida Counties as Primary Natural Disaster Areas
This Secretarial natural disaster designation allows the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) to extend much-needed emergency credit to producers recovering from natural disasters through emergency loans. Emergency loans can be used to meet various recovery needs including the replacement of essential items such as equipment or livestock, reorganization of a farming operation or the refinance of …
Florida Cattlemen Thanks Those Who Provided Support for Ranchers
While the clean-up efforts after Hurricane Ian continue across certain areas of Florida, many folks have been involved in helping cattle ranches those parts of the state. The Florida Cattlemen’s Association (FCA) has had boots on the ground since the hurricane hit to help producers affected by the storm. Southeast AgNet’s Randall Weiseman talked to FCA Director of Field Services Dusty Holley who …