Florida Agriculture Commissioner Charles Bronson talks about Food Check-Out Week. Report (1:00 wma)
Administration Proposes Cellulose Research Funds
Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns announced plans to propose $1.6 billion in new funding for renewable energy, with a focus on cellulosic energy research and production, as part of the Administration’s 2007 farm bill proposals. Read more from USDA. Report (1:00 wma)
Bush Supports Guest Worker Program and More Ethanol
In his state of the union address Tuesday, President Bush renewed his call for a guest worker program as part of an overall immigration reform package. The president also outlined a plan for energy independence that would include greater use of alternative fuels from new feedstocks. Report (1:30 wma)
Farm Bill Will Depend on Budget
Whether or not specialty crops will get more attention in the new Farm Bill will largely be determined by the budget, according to Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association lobbyist Bob Redding who spoke at the recent Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference. Report (1:30 wma)
Good Year for Florida NRCS
Florida State Conservationist Niles Glasgow says 2006 was a very good year for conservation efforts in the state, especially since a break in the weather allowed them to catch up on hurricane recovery efforts. Report (1:00 wma)
Ethanol Plant To Be Discussed at Citrus Seminars
Florida is the nation’s number three state in fuel consumption according to Bradley Krohn of United States Envirofuels in Tampa, who says energy crops may offer Florida farmers some attractive alternatives for crop diversification. Krohn explains more about the potential in this report. Report (2:00 wma)
Antioxidants and Cardiovascular Health
USDA research is studying how the antioxidant properties in strawberries might affect inflammatory cardiovascular diseases in obese people. Report (:45 wma)
Super Bowl Kickoff to Better Health
The Florida Department of Agriculture is giving away a pair of tickets to the Bears-Colts Super Bowl matchup in Miami on February 4 in the Super Bowl XLI Kickoff to Better Health initiative. Find out more here. Report (:45 wma)
NRCS Releases Resources Inventory
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service has released state-by-state results on soil erosion and land use from its 2003 National Resources Inventory. The results can be viewed on the NRCS website. Alabama Report (1:30 wma) Florida Report (1:30 wma)
More Kids in the Woods
A new pilot program from the US Forest Service aims to get more kids outdoors and connecting with nature. Report (1:00 wma)