by Brad Buck, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences When he was 4, Dean Kopsell moved with his family to a 200-acre nursery in northern Illinois. He spent days roaming the farm, wading in the creek that ran through the property and playing in the barns. In high school and college, Kopsell worked summers with his dad, selling …
Do You Love Watermelon in the Hot Summer? University of Florida scientists are on the case
by Brad Buck, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Some people love to eat a juicy, seedless watermelon for a tasty, refreshing snack during a hot, Florida summer day. University of Florida scientists have found a way to stave off potential diseases while retaining that flavor. Consumers increasingly savor the convenience and taste of seedless watermelons, said Xin …
New Date for Florida State Technical Advisory Committee Meeting
We told recently that USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida was inviting producers and landowners to its State Technical Advisory Committee meeting, on August 17. But NRCS announced this week the date of that meeting has been changed. The meeting instead has been moved up a couple of days and now will take place August 15. Sponsored ContentCattle …
Farmers Invited to Various Events
There are various events coming up yet this week that Tyron Spearman wants to remind farmers about. One of those is, of course, the Sunbelt Ag Expo Field Day taking place Thursday. Sponsored ContentCattle Producers Proud of Efforts Funded Through the Florida Cattle Enhancement BoardMay 29, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Funding Crucial For Forage DevelopmentMay 22, 2026Florida Cattle …
Florida Beef to be Discussed at Dietetics Conference
The Florida Beef Council (FBC) will be on the road next week attending an event where beef will be discussed. In our beef checkoff report, FBC’s new director of Beef Marketing and Promotions, Allyson Trimble, explains where the council will be. Sponsored ContentCattle Producers Proud of Efforts Funded Through the Florida Cattle Enhancement BoardMay 29, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board …
Putnam Names Dr. Martha Rhodes Roberts as 2017 Woman of the Year in Agriculture
Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam announced that Dr. Martha Rhodes Roberts has been named the 2017 Woman of the Year in Agriculture. Dr. Roberts dedicated 35 years of service to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, where she championed policy changes for the advancement of Florida’s agriculture industry, trade, and production practices. The award, now in its …
Natural Resource Meeting Explains Farm Bill Programs, Seeks Recommendations
Meeting Date Changed to Aug. 15 In an effort to assist agricultural producers in meeting their land management goals while protecting our natural resources, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will conduct a State Technical Advisory Committee meeting Aug. 15, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m., at the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Doyle Conner Agriculture Building Auditorium. Located at …
Florida Cattlemen’s Association Gives Farm Bill Input
By Jaci Schreckengost The foot-and-mouth disease vaccine bank is one item needed in the 2018 farm bill, according to Dusty Holley and Jim Handley of the Florida Cattlemen’s Association. “Our industry is very susceptible to a huge, devastating problem if we don’t think ahead and buy this insurance in advance,” said Handley, executive vice president of the Florida Cattlemen’s Association. …
Ag Calendar Events This Week
Tyron Spearman has a quick look at some events coming up this week that farmers across the Southeast may be interested in attending. Sponsored ContentCattle Producers Proud of Efforts Funded Through the Florida Cattle Enhancement BoardMay 29, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Funding Crucial For Forage DevelopmentMay 22, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Funding to Enhance Brahman GeneticsMay …
UF, Rutgers, WVU to Help Combat Childhood Obesity
by Brad Buck, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Parents serve as their children’s role models, and they buy most of the food their children eat. With that in mind, researchers from the University of Florida, Rutgers University, and West Virginia University will work with a five-year, $4 million grant to try to change home eating habits to …