(FDACS/TALLAHASSEE, FL/Oct. 17, 2023) — Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson is seeking $300 million for a program designed to keep swaths of rural land from commercial and residential development, triple the amount vetoed by Gov. Ron DeSantis this year. Meanwhile, the Department of Environmental Protection is asking lawmakers for a slight increase next year in funding for the separate Florida Forever …
Florida Ag Commissioner Announces Aquaculture Losses from Hurricane Idalia
(FDACS/TALLAHASSEE, FL/Sept. 26, 2023) — Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced the results of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Hurricane Idalia Aquaculture Economic Impact Survey. The survey estimated that the adjusted reported losses from Aquaculture Certificate of Registration holders and shellfish processors totaled $34,159,952 from Hurricane Idalia. “Aquaculture is Florida’s most diverse agribusiness, and it took a …
Commissioner Wilton Simpson Announces Preliminary Damage Assessment for Timber Following Hurricane Idalia
(FDACS/TALLAHASSEE, FL/Sept. 25, 2023) — Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced the release of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ preliminary damage assessment of timber following Hurricane Idalia. The preliminary assessment estimated that Hurricane Idalia damaged 289,096 acres of timber at a value of $64,751,255. “For this part of the state in particular – which relies heavily on the …
Idalia Agricultural Losses Estimated Up to $370M in Florida
(FDACS/TALLAHASSEE,FL/Sept. 21,2023) — A preliminary report released Thursday by the University of Florida estimated up to $370.9 million in agricultural losses from Hurricane Idalia, which barreled through rural areas of North Florida in late August. And losses could increase as damage to infrastructure and such things as timber are factored in. Christa Court, director of the Economic Impact Analysis Program …
Commissioner Simpson Requests Flexibility in Federal Disaster Programs for Florida Ag Industry Impacted by Hurricane Idalia
(FDACS/TALLAHASSEE, FL/Sept. 6, 2023) — Today, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson sent a letter to United States Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack highlighting the catastrophic damage suffered by Florida’s agriculture industry from Hurricane Idalia and asked for specific flexibilities in reporting deadlines and sign-up periods for standing federal disaster programs. The letter can be read here [ 875.1 kB ] and below. Dear Secretary …
FDACS Provides Update on Hurricane Idalia Response and Recovery Efforts
(FDACS/TALLAHASSEE, FL/SEPT. 1, 2023) — Today, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services provided an update on Hurricane Idalia response and recovery efforts. Click here for the Hurricane Idalia Survey for Certificate Holders Click here for the Hurricane Idalia Survey for Processors For more information about Commissioner Simpson and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit FDACS.gov. Florida Department of Agriculture and …
Florida Ag Commissioner Reminds Local Governments of New Law Prohibiting Special Assessments on Agricultural Land
(FDACS/TALLAHASSEE, FL/August 9, 2023) — Today, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson addressed a letter to local governments reminding them of the new provision in State Law prohibiting counties from levying special assessments on agricultural lands. Read the letter below and here. August 9, 2023 Greetings, As Florida Commissioner of Agriculture, my top priority is to ensure that Florida agriculture continues …
Florida Rural and Family Lands Protection Program Application Results Released
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) has released the results of 2023 applications for the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program (RFLPP), and Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson is pleased with the response. Landowners from 181 properties, which represents over 200,000 acres, submitted applications to be considered for funding. The program, which partners with farmers and ranchers through conservation easements, is …
FDACS Seeks Input from Produce Growers on the Farm to School Program
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) is seeking input from produce growers in the state on the Farm to School Initiative. If you grow and market fresh produce of any kind, they want to hear from you. It’s all part of an effort to further develop the existing Initiative. FDACS is conducting a survey to better understand how farmers and schools are …
Commissioner Wilton Simpson Seeks Nominations for 2023 Woman of the Year in Agriculture Award
(FDACS/TALLAHASSEE, FL/May 25, 2023) — Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced the opening of the nomination process for the Woman of the Year in Agriculture Award, which annually recognizes the achievements of women who have made outstanding contributions to Florida agriculture. Nominations for the award must be submitted by August 1, 2023. “The Woman of the Year in Agriculture …