With the White House pointing to ties between President Donald Trump and Gov. Rick Scott, repairs to the Herbert Hoover Dike around Lake Okeechobee might be done more quickly than anticipated. Trump on Thursday directed Mick Mulvaney, the chief of the White House Office of Management and Budget, to accelerate the work. “The administration, working closely with Florida Gov. Rick …
Florida FFA Chapter Named National Premier Chapter: Strengthening Agriculture
The Barrington Middle FFA Chapter from Florida has been named the 2017 National Premier Chapter: Strengthening Agriculture winner at the 90th National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis. The National Chapter Award program recognizes outstanding FFA chapters that actively implement the mission and strategies of the organization. These chapters improve chapter operations using the National Quality FFA Chapter Standards and …
Statewide Meeting Honors Volunteer Members
Florida Farm Bureau will celebrate its 76th anniversary at the Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort and Spa, Oct. 30 – Nov. 1, 2017. The meeting will include award and recognition programs to honor outstanding young farmers and ranchers, state lawmakers and the accomplishments of county Farm Bureaus and individual members for their distinguished service to agriculture. “We are honored to recognize …
Environmental Funding Draws Debate
Count former Gov. Bob Graham among those who were not overwhelmed by an environmental-funding proposal released this week by Gov. Rick Scott. Graham, a Democrat who also served in the U.S. Senate, said Scott’s proposal to spend $50 million on the once-celebrated Florida Forever preservation program doesn’t meet the needs of the program. “We have to decide the kind of …
USDA Disaster Assistance and Hurricane Recovery Workshops Continue
USDA Service Centers in Florida counties impacted by Hurricane Irma continue to hold disaster assistance and hurricane recovery workshops for farmers and ranchers. During these workshops, representatives from USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Farm Service Agency (FSA) present information on the various disaster assistance programs and resources available for farmers, ranchers, and rural communities. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester …
UF study: Red Makes Consumers Retain Attention to Food Labels
For many people, red means “stop,” and that’s what consumers are doing when they see that color on food information labels, according to a new study led by a University of Florida researcher. Zhifeng Gao, a UF/IFAS associate professor of food and resource economics, led the study with his now-former doctoral students Meng Shen and Lijia Shi, in which researchers …
Green Industry Contributes More Than $20B to Florida Economy
Up 19 Percent from 2000 Florida’s environmental horticulture industry is recovering from the recession of 2007 to 2009, and it is growing in many sectors, with $21.8 billion in annual economic contributions. This is an increase of 19.2 percent from 2000, a new University of Florida report shows. The environmental horticulture industry, or the “green industry,” includes landscaping, nurseries, greenhouses, …
Putnam’s Statement Regarding Current Federal Disaster Relief Legislation
The U.S. Senate last night voted to move forward the $36.5 billion disaster relief legislation without additional support for Florida agriculture. Florida’s agriculture industry suffered a more than $2.5 billion hit due to Hurricane Irma. Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam’s statement is below: “I’m disappointed that the current disaster relief legislation does not include much-needed support for Florida’s …
Scott Calls for Boost in Environmental Budget
Florida-wetlands-EvergladesSpending on Florida’s natural resources and environmental programs would grow by $220 million under a proposal by Gov. Rick Scott as he nears his final recommended state budget. The $1.7 billion environmental package for lawmakers to consider in 2018 includes increased funding for the state’s springs, beaches and parks, along with $355 million for Everglades restoration, $50 million to help …
EQIP Sign Up Continues in Florida
November 17 will be here before you know it, and thus Florida farmers, ranchers, and forest owners are urged to stop by their local USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) office to apply for financial and technical assistance through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement Board Wraps up Funding YearJune 30, …