Florida Lawmakers Still Dealing with the Budget

Seven weeks of the Florida Legislative Session have passed, but no allocations have been given to the sub-committee chairs just yet. Florida Cattlemen’s Association (FCA) Director of Governmental Affairs, Sam Ard, explains what this means for the budget process with just two weeks left in the session. The 60 day Florida Legislative session is scheduled to end March 11th. Sponsored ContentStrong Relationship Exists …

A Methodical and Safe Approach to Help Florida Citrus

Florida’s farmers depend on healthy soil and clean water to produce crops. It’s how my family has grown citrus, strawberries and cattle for more than four generations. The quality of our natural resources has a direct impact on our crops and livelihood. I am a fifth-generation Floridian who was raised by a line of farmers, ranchers and businesspeople. All of …

Environmental Changes Teed Up for Florida Budget Talks

(NSF/TALLAHASSEE/Feb. 22, 2022) — A controversial environmental bill the Senate massaged last week after outcries from Everglades activists, fishing guides and Gov. Ron DeSantis is ready to become part of budget talks with the House. With little comment, the House on Tuesday, took up the bill (SB 2508) and nine other Senate measures and positioned them for negotiations that will …

Florida Beef Council Working to Engage Producers

For the past few weeks, the Florida Beef Council (FBC) has been busy putting the final touches on the huge Beef Checkoff promotional event, the “Beef It’s What’s For Dinner 300”. The race took place this past Saturday at the Daytona International Speedway, where the FBC teamed up with the Federation of State Beef Councils and staff from other state beef councils …

New Sentinel Landscape in Florida to Strengthen Military Readiness

The Sentinel Landscapes Partnership, comprised of the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the Department of Defense (DoD) and Department of Interior (DOI) has announced three new areas designated as sentinel landscapes. These are areas where natural and working lands thrive alongside military installations and ranges, and play a key role in strengthening the nation’s military readiness while addressing natural resources concerns …

Florida Senate Passes Revamped Water Bill

(NSF/TALLAHASSEE/Feb. 17, 2022) — With a key lawmaker saying he wanted to clarify and counter “purposeful misinformation,” the Senate on Thursday changed a controversial measure that critics said could affect Everglades restoration projects. The measure (SB 2508) had drawn opposition from Gov. Ron DeSantis and critics such as fishing guides who raced to the Capitol to appear in the Senate …

USDA-NRCS Investing in Partner-Driven Conservation on Ag and Forest Land

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida and Georgia reminds conservation partners that up to $225 million in funding is being made available through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). The partner-driven program leverages collective resources to find solutions to address natural resource challenges on agricultural land. This year’s funding announcement includes opportunities for projects that address climate change, benefit …

Florida House Passes $105.3 Billion Spending Plan

(NSF/TALLAHASSEE/Feb. 16, 2022) — What would be a record $105.3 billion spending plan bolstered by federal stimulus money was approved Wednesday by the Florida House, helping set up negotiations with the Senate on a final budget for the 2022-2023 fiscal year. The House voted 102-14 to approve the proposal (HB 5001), after Democrats objected to shifting $200 million away from …