The Florida legislative session is down to its last week, as it is scheduled to end Friday, May 5. Work continues on the state budget, as the Budget Conference Committee has started their negotiations, but there is not a lot of time left for them to work out the details in order to adjourn on time. The budget has to …
Backroom Briefing: Putnam No Fan of NAFTA
by Jim Turner, News Service of Florida Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam, who may be getting closer to announcing a bid for governor, continued lambasting the North American Free Trade Agreement this week as President Donald Trump backed off, for now, on withdrawing the U.S. from the pact. Putnam’s office said Wednesday he has implored U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross …
Gianna Rivera Wins “Fresh From Florida” Student Chef Cook-Off
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services today announced that Gianna Rivera of Bloomingdale High School in Hillsborough County is the 2017 “Fresh From Florida” Student Chef Cook-Off champion. Rivera competed against four other regional finalists from across the state. Rivera’s winning Citrus Chicken Taco with Watermelon Salsa will be served in a school cafeteria, and the recipes of …
Florida Forever Update from Rep. Albritton
With just a week and a half left to the Florida legislative session, various bills continue to work their way through the process. Yesterday, Southeast AgNet Tallahassee Intern Josie Tomkow caught up with Representative Ben Albritton from District 56, which includes Hardee, Desoto, and southern Polk counties. He has an update concerning the Florida Forever program. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester …
Lobbyist Backs Away From Florida Forever Comments
From: News Service of Florida Eric Draper, executive director of Audubon Florida and a prominent environmental lobbyist, released a statement Tuesday walking back concerns about a House measure that would alter the distribution of money for land conservation. Draper said he was wrong Monday to link a House bill (PCB GAC17-06) that would change the state’s Florida Forever land-conservation program …
Perdue Is 31st USDA Secretary
It finally took place this week, the confirmation of Sonny Perdue as agriculture secretary. Confirmation was achieved on a strong Senate bipartisan vote of 87-11, as several Democrats backed President Trump’s nominee. The entire agriculture industry has been anxiously awaiting his appointment, as the former Georgia governor has a variety of issues to deal with right away. But many agricultural …
House Seeks Florida Forever Changes
by Jim Turner, News Service of Florida More money would be set aside for land conservation under a House bill rolled out Monday, with some environmentalists contending the proposal could hinder Senate President Joe Negron’s push to speed construction of a water-cleaning reservoir in the Everglades. House Government Accountability Chairman Matt Caldwell, whose committee unanimously approved the measure (PCB GAC …
Florida Commissioner’s Spotlight: FRESH! Recipe – Cucumber Pepper Salad
On this week’s Commissioner’s Spotlight, Florida’s Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam is joined by Executive Chef Justin Timineri to talk about his newest Fresh! Recipe video using delicious Florida ingredients – a Florida Cucumber and Sweet Pepper Salad. You can follow Florida Commissioner Adam Putnam on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Discover more by visiting FreshFromFlorida.com. Image: Courtesy of FreshFromFlorida, Florida Cucumber …
Florida State Budget Talks Continue
With the Florida legislative session scheduled to end on May 5, how the state budget figures will end up continues to be a big question. Florida Cattlemen’s Association Director of Governmental Affairs, Sam Ard, has an update. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement Board Wraps up Funding YearJune 30, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Awarded Researcher Discusses New …
Florida Agriculture Literacy Day is May 2
Here is a reminder that the 14th annual Florida Agriculture Literacy Day will be held May 2, and the third in a series of new non-fiction children’s books has been developed to help highlight Florida’s aquaculture and seafood industries. According to a release from Florida Agriculture in the Classroom (FAITC), the book is called “Drive through Florida: Aquaculture and Seafood”. …