(FDACS/TALLAHASSEE, FL/Jan. 18, 2022) — Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced the appointment of West Gregory as the Director of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ (FDACS) Office of Agricultural Water Policy. “I’m honored to appoint West Gregory to lead our Office of Agricultural Water Policy. West Gregory has the unique experience and skillset – having worked …
USDA Grant Signed to Connect Florida Schools with Underserved Farmers/Producers
(FDACS/Tallahassee, FL/Nov. 1, 2022) — Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried announced the signing of a $11.4 million cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) under the Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement Program (LFS). The program provides grant funds to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) Division of Food, Nutrition, and Wellness (FNW) to connect underserved farms with Florida schools participating in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) …
2023 Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame Inductees Announced
(FDACS/Tallahassee, FL/Nov. 1, 2022) — Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried and the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame Foundation announced John T. Woeste and Donald J. Quincey as the 2023 Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame inductees. The induction ceremony will be held at the Florida State Fair’s Agricultural Hall of Fame Banquet on February 14, 2023. “Florida agriculture has always played a key role in our state’s development and economy, …
Agricultural-Environmental Leadership Award Winners Announced by FDACS
(FDACS/Tallahassee, FL/Oct. 25, 2022) — Florida Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services Nikki Fried and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) are proud to announce the winners of the 2022 Agricultural-Environmental Leadership Award. The program, created in 1994, highlights environmentally innovative farming practices across different parts of Florida’s agricultural industry. This year’s winners will be honored at the Commissioner’s Breakfast on Friday, October 28th, during …
Preliminary Damage Assessment for Florida Agriculture Following Hurricane Ian
(FDACS/Tallahassee, FL/Oct. 24, 2022) — The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) and Commissioner of Agriculture Nikki Fried released the FDACS preliminary damage assessment for agriculture following Hurricane Ian. The assessment considered losses to agriculture production and infrastructure and are estimated between $1,180,714,303 and $1,888,305,886. “While today’s assessment is a preliminary snapshot of the losses to Florida agriculture, it is a critical first step …
Florida Commissioner Nikki Fried Shares USDA Disaster Assistance Programs for Agricultural Producers, Urges Early Reporting of Losses
(FDACS/Tallahassee, FL/Sep 30, 2022) — In the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried is sharing important resources from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to assist Florida agricultural producers who suffered losses due to the storm. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reminds communities, farmers and ranchers, families and small businesses affected by Hurricane Ian that USDA has multiple programs to provide assistance in the wake of …
Commissioner Nikki Fried Shares USDA Hurricane Preparation & Recovery Reminders for Florida Farmer’s
(FDACS/Tallahassee, FL/Sept. 26, 2022) — As Hurricane Ian approaches, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried is sharing important reminders from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) with Florida producers to prepare for and as they recover from any potential impact from the storm. Take precautions to prepare and protect your family and agricultural operation. Develop an Emergency Plan – Ensure your household and employees know your hurricane plan, including …
Florida Ag Commissioner Calls on USTR to Take Action Protecting Florida Farmers from Harm of Decades-long Unfair Foreign Trade Practices
(FDACS/Tallahassee, FL/Sept. 15, 2022) — Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Nikki Fried wrote to U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Katherine Tai in support of the September 8th petition filed by members of Florida’s bipartisan delegation under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 requesting the administration conduct an investigation into the flood of imported seasonal and perishable agricultural products from Mexico. Commissioner Fried shared with Ambassador Tai a recent report from the Florida Department of Agriculture …