Florida Ag Landowners Encouraged to Apply for CSP by February 24

Agricultural landowners in Florida are encouraged to apply to participate in the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) by February 24, 2023, to qualify for the program’s current funding cycle. Through this voluntary conservation program, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) works one-on-one with producers to develop a conservation plan that outlines and enhances existing efforts while improving their agricultural operations. Using new conservation practices or …

Ian Florida Agriculture Losses Estimated at $1B

(NSF/TALLAHASSEE, FL/February 9, 2023) — Hurricane Ian caused an estimated $1 billion in agricultural-production losses, with the biggest hits to the citrus industry, along with growers of vegetables and melons, according to a new University of Florida report. The report from the UF-Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences also doesn’t include damage to such things as buildings and equipment, which …

Simpson Continues Pushing Florida Lawmakers for Land Money

(NSF/TALLAHASSEE, FL/Feb. 7, 2023) — After Gov. Ron DeSantis left the money out of his proposed budget, Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson continues to push state lawmakers to replenish funding for a program aimed at keeping ranches and farms from future development. Simpson, speaking Monday to the Senate Agriculture Committee, stressed the need to push forward with the Rural and Family …

World Renowned Budweiser Clydesdales Set to Return to Live Oak International

(Ocala, FL/February 2, 2023) — Live Oak International and Tri-Eagle Sales are excited to announce that the world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales are scheduled to appear at Live Oak International during the tournament from Thursday, March 16 through Sunday, March 19. The eight-horse hitch will be harnessed and hitched to the famous red beer wagon at the tournament, with various presentations scheduled throughout …

DeSantis Pitches $114.8 Billion Budget

(NSF/TALLAHASSEE, FL) — Dubbing it the “framework for freedom,” Governor Ron DeSantis on Wednesday proposed a nearly 115-billion-dollar budget for next year that includes a variety of tax cuts and more money for such things as teacher pay. The budget for the current year, which started July 1st, totaled 110 billion after DeSantis signed it and issued vetoes. As he …

Nearly $563,000 Available for Florida Land Management Projects

https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs-initiatives/eqip-environmental-quality-incentives/florida/environmental-quality-incentivesNorthern Florida landowners interested in protecting the conservation values of their land will soon be able to apply for land management. Contracts, funded by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida, are through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), as facilitated by the Alachua Conservation Trust (ACT). The ACT announced nearly $563,000 in funding is available for land management projects through the …

Florida Beef Council Attending Cattle Industry Convention

The 2023 Cattle Industry Convention is taking place this week in New Orleans, Louisiana. Folks in the cattle industry from across the country are at the Convention, and that includes those representing the Florida Beef Council (FBC). FBC Director of Education & Promotion, DeAnne Maples, explains how they are involved in the annual event. The Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. 300, that DeAnne mentioned, …