The Florida Senate on Wednesday cut in half the amount of money it would put into a new emergency fund that critics called a “blank check” for Gov. Ron DeSantis. According to the News Service of Florida, the Senate overwhelmingly approved two bills (SB 96 and SB 98) that would shift $500 million of general revenue into the pot of …
Environmental Groups Wary of Senate ‘Heartland’ Plan
(TALLAHASSEE/January 18, 2022) — Florida lawmakers could further carve up the use of voter-approved conservation money, after a Leon County circuit judge this month rejected a challenge by environmental groups to how money has been spent. The Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee on Tuesday approved a measure (SB 1400) that would provide $20 million a year to help protect …
Commissioner Nikki Fried and FDACS Announce New Appointment to Florida State Fair Authority Board
(Tallahassee, FL/January 18, 2022) — Today, Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) announced the appointment of Thaddeus Bullard, aka WWE Global Ambassador Titus O’Neil, to the Board of Directors of the Florida State Fair Authority. Bullard’s term begins January 6, 2022 and ends May 29, 2025. Bullard is a philanthropist, author, athlete, and global entertainer. He graduated from the University of …
Florida Beef Industry Discussed with Agricultural Educators
The mission of the Florida Association of Agricultural Educators (FAAE) is to promote excellence in the Florida agriculture education community by supporting the continuous improvement of Agriscience teachers. And last week, FAAE held their winter conference where DeAnne Maples, director of education & promotion for the Florida Beef Council (FBC) was a speaker. She was able to talk to them about the beef industry in …
Livestock Market Reports for Week Ended 01-14-2022
Here are the weekly livestock market reports for Alabama, Florida, and Georgia for the week ended January 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 January 14, 2022, receipts at 21 markets totaled an estimated 11,900 head compared to 6,163 last week and …
Florida Cattlemen Tracking Legislative Budget Discussions
The 2022 Florida Legislative Session kicked off this past Tuesday, and while lawmakers are already engaged in various issues, the budget is one that many in agriculture watch closely. Florida Cattlemen’s Association (FCA) Director of Governmental Affairs, Sam Ard, says Governor DeSantis released his budget and it does include $100 Million for the Florida Forever Program. And Ard reminds FCA members their annual “Boots …
USDA Offers Expanded Conservation Program Opportunities in Florida
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida has announced several new and expanded opportunities for climate-smart agriculture in 2022. Updates include nationwide availability of the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) Conservation Incentive Contracts option. “Climate change is happening, and America’s agricultural communities are on the frontlines,” NRCS State Conservationist Juan Hernandez said. “We have to continue to support and expand the adoption …
Florida Senators Back $1B Emergency Fund for DeSantis
(TALLAHASSEE/NSF/January 12, 2022) — Florida Senators revived a proposal Wednesday to create a $1 billion fund that Gov. Ron DeSantis could use at his discretion during emergencies he declares. The Senate Appropriations Committee backed a pair of bills (SB 96 and SB 98), sponsored by Sen. Danny Burgess, R-Zephyrhills, to set up an “Emergency Preparedness and Response Fund” so the …
Florida Cattle Producers Reminded to Check Transactions for 2021
Back in November of last year, the Florida Beef Council (FBC) sent out their annual friendly reminder that beef checkoff assessments were due for any cattle you may have sold in 2021. FBC Director of Education & Promotion, DeAnne Maples, wants to remind those who may have yet to do this, to please check all of your cattle transactions in which beef checkoff assessments are …
Ballot Initiatives Being Discussed in Florida Legislative Session
(NSF/January 11, 2022) — Legislation filed at the state capitol last week would restrict subjects that could be included in ballot initiatives. The measure will be considered during the 2022 legislative session that starts today. The proposal comes after years of attempts by the GOP-controlled Legislature to make it harder to pass constitutional amendments through the citizens’ initiative process. Under …