Preparing for 2022 Florida Legislative Session

While Florida lawmakers are preparing for next month’s special session called by Governor Ron DeSantis to push back against White House attempts to require workers to be vaccinated against COVID-19, they also are looking ahead to the 2022 Florida Legislative Session. Next year’s session kicks off on January 11, and according to the chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, Florida’s …

Florida Beef Council Attends National Meeting

The Beef Checkoff was the main topic during recent meetings held in Denver, Colorado. Florida Beef Council (FBC) Director of Marketing and Promotion, DeAnne Maples, says the event was beneficial for them to attend to gain information about implementing programs here. For more information, contact the Florida beef Council office in Kissimmee. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement Board …

Conserving Protected Lands and Waters in South Central Florida

The Nature Conservancy and partners have completed the protection of the essential and diverse landscape of Ravensworth Farms, a 1,069-acre working cattle ranch located along the eastern edge of the Lake Wales Ridge in Highlands County, Florida. The conservation easement placed on the ranch permanently prohibits development on the property while allowing cattle ranching operations to continue uninterrupted. One of …

Sunbelt Ag Expo a Success

By Clint Thompson The Sunbelt Ag Expo this week reinforced what executive director Chip Blalock already knew – farmers and industry leaders were ready for an in-person show. This week’s 43rd annual farm show in Moultrie, Georgia educated attendees, reunited old friends and reminded the Southeast about agriculture’s importance. The three-day event was a success. “It’s been humbling to see …

DeSantis Calls for Special Session

(Tallahassee/NSF/October 21, 2021) — Governor Ron DeSantis on Thursday called for a special legislative session next month to push back against White House attempts to require workers to be vaccinated against COVID-19. The exact dates of the special session are not yet known; however, lawmakers are scheduled to be in Tallahassee for committee meetings the weeks of November 1st, 15th …

Commissioner Nikki Fried on TS Elsa Secretarial Disaster Designation for Three Florida Counties

(Tallahassee, FL/October 20, 2021) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has informed Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) that it has granted a Secretarial disaster designation in several counties in Georgia and Florida due to losses caused by Tropical Storm Elsa, excessive wind, and excessive rainfall that occurred on July 7, 2021. With this designation, impacted producers …

Sunbelt’s Appeal is Across the Southeast

By Clint Thompson The Sunbelt Ag Expo may be based in Moultrie, Georgia, but its appeal is across the Southeast region. Chip Blalock, Sunbelt Ag Expo Executive Director, discusses the impact this week’s three-day event has on the Southeast. “It’s great to be back this week, live and in person. All of our friends from the Southeast are coming in …

USDA Unveils New Climate Partnership Initiative, Requests Public Input

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is committed to partnering with agriculture, forestry and rural communities to develop climate solutions that strengthen rural America. Thus, they are requesting public comments on a new climate partnership initiative designed to create new revenue streams for producers via market opportunities for commodities produced using climate-smart practices. USDA will support a set of pilot …

What to do with High Fertilizer Prices?

By Clint Thompson Fertilizer prices are high and are unfortunately expected to stay that way for the foreseeable future says Glen Harris, University of Georgia Professor and Extension Agronomist in Environmental Soil and Fertilizer. “They’re probably going to hold pretty high all the way through next spring the way I understand it,” Harris said. “I knew phosphorous was up for …