Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried and the Florida Forest Service announced today the Phase One re-opening of Florida State Forest campgrounds, campsites, and recreation areas. The Florida Forest Service, a division of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), manages more than 1 million acres of state forests and provides forest management assistance on more than 17 million …
Commissioner Nikki Fried, Florida Forest Service Warn Floridians of Increased Wildfire Danger
Tallahassee, Fla.– Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried and the Florida Forest Service are urging Floridians to exercise caution due to the increased threat of wildfires. Fire danger has increased throughout the state due to windy conditions and critically low relative humidity over the coming days. Gusty conditions are possible in the Panhandle and Big Bend with the passage of a dry …
UF Surveys to Identify Impact of Pandemic on Florida’s Agriculture and Marine Industries
(UF/IFAS) — With agriculture and marine industries occupying a large portion of Florida’s economy, the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) wants to better understand how measures to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 are impacting these sectors. Starting today, faculty from the UF/IFAS Food and Resource Economics (FRE) department are deploying surveys to UF/IFAS Extension agents …
Coronavirus Safety Fact Sheets for Workers
Author: E. Vanessa Campoverde, UF/IFAS (UF/IFAS) — I have received several questions regarding what to do if you have employees or work with others during this Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in agricultural operations and related businesses. While there is plenty of information about how the virus work, how to protect yourself and others, etc. I compiled some information (with images) that can …
Florida Forestry Keeps the Toilet Paper Rolling
(UF/IFAS) — Forest products contribute to a large and valuable industry for the state of Florida – altogether comprising the state’s largest agricultural commodity. This includes primary and secondary product industries that range from lumber to, you guessed it, toilet paper. With stores struggling to maintain supply in toilet paper aisles and many Floridians now under stay-at-home orders, shoppers can …
Questions Remain Over Hurricane Timber Money
(NSF) — Florida’s timber industry remains amid tons of strewn trees from Hurricane Michael as talks continue over the distribution of a $380 million federal-recovery grant allocated in November for the 2018 storm. State officials expressed concern Tuesday that more than a quarter of the money may go unused as negotiations continue with the U.S. Department of Agriculture on eligibility …
Commissioner Nikki Fried Appoints New State Leadership For Florida Forest Service
Tallahassee, Fla.– Today, Agriculture Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried announced two new leadership appointments for the Florida Forest Service. The selections come after a national search and interviews with multiple candidates. Erin Albury has been appointed State Forester and Director of the Florida Forest Service. Albury succeeds James “Jim” Karels, who has led the agency the past 12 years and served …
American Grown Campaign Launches
Non-Profit Created to Address the growing Financial Crisis in American Farms Launches Campaign The American Grown Campaign launched at the Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference on January 11. The non-profit was created by growers to address the growing financial crisis in American farms. American Grown was founded with farmers and growers from Florida, Georgia, and Michigan. “America’s farmers need our support …
Fire Safety Tips: Christmas Tree Disposal
(FDACS) — The Florida Forest Service is encouraging Floridians to dispose of Christmas trees safely. Dry limbs and needles from discarded Christmas trees can be an ignition source for fire if not properly cleared away from homes and natural areas. “We are encouraging all residents and visitors to be vigilant this holiday season,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Nikki Fried. “Trees discarded improperly can quickly turn …
Tree Farmer Not Pining about One Failure
Even if one venture doesn’t succeed, farmers always look for another. Gary Crawford has this update on a story he first filed in 2017, a story about a Christmas tree farmer whose failure in one venture led to success in another. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Plays Critical Role To Extend ResearchNovember 7, 2025CIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsNovember 1, 2025Florida Cattle …