DeSantis, Fried Offer Different Takes on Red Tide

(NSF, August 3, 2021/TALLAHASSEE) — Gov. Ron DeSantis and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Nikki Fried made appearances Tuesday along the Gulf Coast, offering competing views about an ongoing toxic red-tide outbreak. Fried, the state agriculture commissioner, reiterated a call for DeSantis to declare a state of emergency to help combat the outbreak that has caused at least 600 tons of dead …

Chefs Learning More about Beef at Event in Florida

The American Culinary Federation Annual Convention is taking place this week in Orlando, Florida. A variety of chefs from around the country are on hand for the event, which is being sponsored in part by various state beef councils, including the Florida Beef Council. Chef Robert Hale, culinary and food service director for the Texas Beef Council, is one of those taking part …

Fried Looks to Update Water Rules

(NSF/August 2, 2021) — Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, who is running to be the Democratic gubernatorial candidate, began a series of appearances Monday to highlight water-related problems including algae blooms and a spike in manatee deaths. Fried said the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Office of Agricultural Water Policy is moving forward with updating “best management practice” rules …

Florida Rep. Kat Cammack Discusses Importance of Ports

A variety of agricultural goods in Florida are shipped out via one of the state’s many ports each year. But according to a report released by the Florida Seaport Transportation and Economic Development Council, while cargo trade has rebounded, waterborne trade fell 14.1-billion-dollars at Florida seaports last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic slowing consumer and business demand and supply chain problems. Florida Rep. Kat …

Financial Assistance Helps Landowners in Two Florida Watersheds

Florida private landowners in the St. Marks and Aucilla River watersheds can apply until Sept. 1 for financial and technical assistance from USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) for fiscal year 2022 funding. The assistance will help landowners in portions of Leon, Jefferson, Wakulla, Madison, and Taylor counties conduct prescribed burns, remove invasive plants, plant longleaf pine trees, and …

Florida Farm Bureau President Announces Retirement

(Gainesville, FL/July 21, 2021) — Today I announce my retirement as the president of Florida Farm Bureau Federation effective at the end of my term, which concludes at the Florida Farm Bureau annual meeting in October. I have received a perfect ????, symbolizing the cherished memories and achievements of my time in this role. I am so appreciative of everyone who has …

Apply for Funding from USDA/NRCS to Remove Cogongrass

(GAINESVILLE, Fla., July 21, 2021) — Florida forest landowners in parts of Okaloosa and Santa Rosa counties can apply for financial assistance to manage invasive Cogongrass until Sept. 1 from USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). The U.S. Department of Agriculture will invest $60,000 in fiscal year 2022 to remove the highly invasive Cogongrass in Florida. One of the world’s top-10 worst weeds, …

Florida Beef Ambassador Contest is This Weekend

The Beef Checkoff works in many ways, including with youth. Florida Beef Council (FBC) Director of Beef Marketing and Promotion DeAnne Maples wants people to know a good example of that is a big event coming up this weekend that includes the Beef Ambassador Contest. For more information on Beef Checkoff activities, visit the Florida Beef Council website. Sponsored ContentFlorida …