(NSF/TALLAHASSEE, FL/ Oct. 18, 2022) — Weeks after state health officials selected a Suwannee County man to receive a long-awaited medical marijuana license earmarked for a Black farmer, applicants who lost out on joining Florida’s growing cannabis industry are challenging the decision. The Florida Department of Health on Sept. 21 announced it had issued an “intent to approve” a medical-marijuana …
NRCS Assistance for Producers Affected by Hurricane Ian
The USDA says its expediting assistance for producers affected by Hurricane Ian. USDA can provide payments, through conservation program contracts, for Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) conservation practices to help agricultural landowners and producers address disaster-related resource concerns on their land. To expedite Hurricane Ian disaster recovery, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is issuing early start waivers in EQIP …
Florida Commissioner Nikki Fried on UF/IFAS Preliminary Agricultural Damage Assessment
(FDACS/GAINESVILLE, FL/Oct. 18, 2022) — The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) released a preliminary assessment of the agricultural production losses associated with Hurricane Ian. The report, which considered crops, livestock, and animal products, estimates a potential loss of up to $1.56 billion for Florida producers. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumers Services (FDACS) is expected to release its …
Livestock Market Reports for Week Ended 10-14-2022
Here are the weekly livestock market reports for Alabama, Florida, and Georgia for the week ended October 14, 2022, compiled by the Livestock Market News Service for all three states. AL Livestock Market Report: At Alabama Livestock Auctions, for the week ended October 14, 2022, receipts at 21 markets totaled an estimated 13,500 head compared to 16,096 last week and …
Disaster Declaration Sought for Farms, Ranches
State Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried on Thursday requested a federal disaster declaration for 17 counties after Hurricane Ian caused widespread damage to farms and ranches. Fried sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture pointing to farm and ranch losses in Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota and Seminole …
Contact Florida NRCS before Initiating Hurricane Cleanup
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida continues efforts to assist agricultural producers and landowners affected by Hurricane Ian with disaster recovery. That includes the announcement of early start waivers for Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) emergency declaration counties. This will allow key conservation practices to start prior to conservation program contract approval. Florida NRCS State Conservationist, Juan C. Hernandez, is …
Senator Rubio Tours Florida Citrus Groves Damaged by Hurricane Ian
Prior to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) initial citrus forecast presented during a luncheon at Putnam Ranch in Zolfo Springs, Florida, Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL), joined by Congressional members Kat Cammack (R-FL) and Scott Franklin (R-FL), toured citrus groves devastated by Hurricane Ian. Sen. Rubio explained to AgNet Media what he saw during those tours. And Rubio explained what …
Florida Ag Expo is Less Than a Month Away
While AgNet Media’s thoughts and prayers continue to be with Florida’s agriculture community as it rebuilds and recovers from Hurricane Ian, the company has made the decision to proceed with the Florida Ag Expo as scheduled. The hope is that the Expo will serve as a positive event to bring growers together during this difficult time. And here’s a reminder the event …
Florida Ag Producers Impacted by Hurricane Ian May be Eligible for Emergency Conservation Program Assistance
Agricultural producers who suffered severe damage from Hurricane Ian, may be eligible for assistance under the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) administered by USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA). But, to be eligible, USDA approval is required before producers can begin repair efforts. Deborah Tannebaum, State Executive Director of the Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Florida, explained to Southeast AgNet’s Randall Weiseman what land is …
Feds Deny Increased Gopher Tortoise Protections in Florida?
(NSF/TALLAHASSEE, FL/Oct. 11, 2022) — Concluding that the animals are “not in danger of extinction,” federal wildlife officials Tuesday rejected listing gopher tortoises in Florida as endangered or threatened species. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service released a 113-page decision that said gopher tortoises would continue to be considered a threatened species in parts of southwest Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana …