Nelson to Try Legislative Route in ‘Water War’

by Lloyd Dunkelberger, The News Service of Florida U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson said Monday he will file legislation aimed at forcing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to divert more freshwater into Northwest Florida’s Apalachicola Bay system. Nelson, who visited Florida A&M University and the state Capitol, said he and U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio will support Senate legislation similar to …

Agriculture Looking at a Busy Florida Legislative Session

The 2017 Florida legislative session is just around the corner, as folks in Tallahassee are preparing for the annual event which starts next month. Sam Ard, director of governmental affairs for the Florida Cattlemen’s Association, gives us a preview of what agriculture can expect this year. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement Board Wraps up Funding YearJune …

New UF/IFAS Scientist Brings Latest Technology to Battle Against Invasive Species

by Robin Koestoyo, University of Florida/IFAS Carey Minteer, a research professor with expertise in the use of biological controls to manage invasive plants, has joined the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. Florida has the most invasive species in the country, with 28 ports of entry, including seaports, airports and train stations. Minteer, who is also an expert …

Florida Commissioner’s Spotlight: Fresh from Florida Website

On this week’s Commissioner’s Spotlight, Florida’s Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam and Executive Chef Justin Timineri talk about the new Fresh From Florida website. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement Board Wraps up Funding YearJune 30, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Awarded Researcher Discusses New World Screwworm OverviewJune 19, 2026Verdant Robotics Offers Growers Targeted Application of Herbicides or …

Ag in Review for the Week Ending February 17, 2017

In our recap of agricultural news from around the Southeast for the week ending February 17, we talk about a decision being made in a decades-old legal water fight, have information about the Beef Tenderness Survey, an update from the latest Peanut Stocks and Processing Report, cherry pie, food labeling law Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement …

Rubio, Nelson Target Apalachicola Water Standards

by Lloyd Dunkelberger, The News Service of Florida Following an adverse legal decision, Florida’s two U.S. senators have joined forces to urge the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to not finalize water-control standards for the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint river basin. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement Board Wraps up Funding YearJune 30, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Awarded Researcher Discusses …

Florida Agriculture in the Classroom, Inc. Hires New Executive Director

Florida Agriculture in the Classroom, Inc. (FAITC) is pleased to announce, effective February 15, 2017, Rebecca Sponholtz will be its new Executive Director. Sponholtz has been with the organization since June 2013 as Education Program Manager and will provide a seamless transition in this next phase. “I am very excited about the opportunity to continue to educate youth and adults …

House Eyes Torrent of Legal Fees from Water War

by Lloyd Dunkelberger and Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida Florida’s stinging setback in its “water war” with Georgia is only going to add more scrutiny to the enormous legal bills the state has racked up over the past few years. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement Board Wraps up Funding YearJune 30, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement …

Southeast AgNet Intern Ready for Florida Legislative Session

As we prepare for the 2017 Florida legislative session, our intern in Tallahassee this year is Josie Tomkow from Dade City, Florida. She will be working through Sam Ard, who heads up Governmental Affairs for the Florida Cattlemen’s Association. Josie tells us a little about herself. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement Board Wraps up Funding YearJune …

Georgia Cotton Industry Pleased With Special Master’s Recommendation

On February 14, 2017 Ralph Lancaster, the Special Master appointed by the U.S. Supreme Court to oversee the Georgia-Florida “Water Wars” dispute, ruled in Georgia’s favor. The case stems from years of legal disputes between Georgia, Florida, and Alabama. This particular case involved Florida suing Georgia via the Supreme Court and requesting Georgia cap its water consumption from the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint …