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 …
Giant African Land Snail Quarantine Established in Lee County
(FDACS/TALLAHASSEE, FL/March 16, 2023) — The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) and its Division of Plant Industry (DPI) announced that a quarantine has been established in specific areas of Lee County in response to previously detected Giant African Land Snails (GALS). Under the quarantine, it is unlawful to move a giant African land snail or a regulated article, including, but …
Florida Ag Commissioner Announces Funds Available to Landowners for Protecting Florida Land Program
(FDACS/TALLAHASSEE, FL/Jan. 25, 2023) — Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson and the Florida Forest Service announced that $2.6 million is now available to landowners through the Sequestering Carbon and Protecting Florida Land Program. The program offers landowners incentive payments to help increase the acreage of healthy forests in Florida. “We are proud to offer the Protecting Florida Land Program to help …
Gregory as Director of the Office of Florida Agricultural Water Policy
(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 …