When the 2021 Florida Legislative Session wrapped up last Friday, it capped off a session where lawmakers passed a record $101.5 billion budget for the upcoming fiscal year that starts July 1. According to the News Service of Florida, with the Covid-19 pandemic severely damaging the state’s economy last year, lawmakers feared they could face a multibillion-dollar budget shortfall. But, …
Innovative Approaches to High Tunnel Systems in Florida
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida will invest $300,000 for Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) for high tunnel systems that improve weather resiliency and improve degraded plant conditions. Grants from $5,000 to $75,000 will be awarded to applicants matching those funds on a dollar-for-dollar basis from non-federal sources that can include cash or in-kind contributions. U.S.-based non-federal entities and individuals are eligible to apply …
Southeast Cotton, Peanut Planting Near Five-Year Averages
Many Southeast farmers dealt with cool, wet weather to start the 2021 planting season. But according to the latest numbers from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (USDA-NASS), both cotton and peanut planting were close to the 5-year averages this past week. USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey says rain in other areas of the cotton belt hampered planting. …
Florida Legislative Session Good for Agriculture
The 2021 Florida Legislative Session wrapped up last Friday afternoon, and many in agriculture were pleased with this year’s session. That includes the Florida Cattlemen’s Association, as their Director of Governmental Affairs Sam Ard told Southeast AgNet’s Randall Weiseman, it was a good session for agriculture in the state. The Right to Farm law was initially approved in 1979 and helps shield …
Livestock Market Report Week Ending 4-30-2021
Here are the weekly livestock market reports for Alabama, Florida, and Georgia, for the week ended April 30, 2021, compiled by the Livestock Market News Service for all three states. AL Livestock Market Report: At Alabama Livestock Auctions for the week ending April 30, 2021, receipts at 21 markets totaled an estimated 16,800 head compared to 11,520 last week and …
Florida Lawmakers End 2021 Legislative Session
After passing a record $101.5 billion budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1, Florida lawmakers this afternoon ended the 60-day legislative session. According to the News Service of Florida, both the Florida House and Senate adjourned “sine die” — a traditional motion — about 2:40 p.m. Along with passing the budget, lawmakers in the closing hours of the …
Commissioner Nikki Fried & FDACS Submit Public Comment on USDA Climate-Smart Agriculture Strategy
Tallahassee, Fla. – Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services submitted formal public comment on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s implementation of the President’s Executive Order on Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad. As part of the Executive Order, the USDA was directed to collect stakeholder input on a climate-smart agriculture and forestry strategy. Commissioner Fried …
Florida Buys 5,734 Acres From Alico
The state of Florida recently purchased approximately 5,734 acres of Alico Ranch for $14.4 million from Alico, Inc. The purchase was made under the Florida Forever program, pursuant to an option agreement between the state and the company earlier this fiscal year. “This is now the third sales transaction we have completed with the state of Florida within the last three years, …
Florida Farm Bureau Applauds Gov. DeSantis for Signing Historic Right to Farm Bill
Gainesville, Fla.–April 29, 2021 – Florida Farm Bureau President John L. Hoblick issued this statement after Governor Ron DeSantis signed SB 88, Farming Operations, a historic bill that modernizes Florida’s Right to Farm Act. “On behalf of Florida’s farmers and ranchers, the Florida Farm Bureau Federation applauds Governor DeSantis and the Florida Legislature for their support of Florida’s Right to …
Financial Assistance Helps Ag Producers in Florida Improve Water Quality
Agricultural producers in select watersheds in Florida can apply for financial assistance from USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) until May 31 to improve water quality in coastal waters. The lower Suwannee watersheds are Long Pond and Long Pond Slough in Levy County and the North Old Town Hammock watershed in Gilchrist and Dixie counties. If landowners show interest, NRCS proposes funding …