FL FB Raising New Crop of Leaders

Randall Weiseman Florida, General

Florida Farm Bureau Federation is raising a new crop of future leaders this year with 26 agricultural producers from around the state who make up the latest class in the Florida Farm Bureau Federation’s Young Farmer and Rancher Leadership Group. The new members of the YF&R Leadership Group are: Chris and Kelly Lyons of Mayo, Stephen and Tracie Fulford of …

California Citrus Freeze News Just In

Gary Cooper Citrus, General, International

This audio report contains four separate audio news reports back to back to back. This news just now coming in late this afternoon from USDA’s radio division about the big chill in California citrus country. The first three reports are full news-wraps, the fourth audio cut is simply a statement from California Citrus Mutual spokesman Joel Nelson about what the …

Ag Careers Take Many Forms

Randall Weiseman General

Even as less young people are considering careers in agriculture, the opportunities have never been greater. Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns says the challenge is to make students aware of the potential that awaits them in such fields as international trade or renewable energy. Report (1:00 wma)

Sunshine State Shines at AFBF Meeting

Randall Weiseman Florida, General

Over 100 Florida Farm Bureau members attended last week’s American Farm Bureau Federation annual meeting in Salt Lake City and 13 of them were named to AFBF Commodity Advisory Committees during the convention. Read more about Florida members who were appointed, elected and honored at the AFBF convention here. Report (:30 wma)

Florida Property Tax Hearings

Randall Weiseman Florida, General

One of the biggest legislative issues for Florida agriculture this year is property tax reform and Ben Parks with Florida Farm Bureau says lawmakers will be holding a series of hearings on the issue, starting January 25 in Panama City. Report (1:30 wma)

Soil Testing Makes Sense

Randall Weiseman Alabama, General, USDA-NRCS

With the high cost of fertilizer these days, one of the smartest moves a farmer can make before planting is to get a good soil sample test done. Eddie Jolly, agronomist with USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in Alabama says soil testing could save producers money. Report (1:30 wma)

House Ag Commitee in Place

Randall Weiseman General, Specialty Crops, Vegetables

The full House Agriculture Committee for the 110th Congress has now been named and is ready to go to work on the 2007 Farm Bill. Among the returning members, now in the majority, is Democrat John Barrow of Georgia who attended last week’s Southeast Fruit and Vegetable Conference. Report (1:30 wma)