Pointing to potential opportunities for farmers, state House members Tuesday continued moving forward with a plan that would help set the stage for an industrial-hemp industry in Florida. The state is trying to move quickly to take advantage of a 2018 federal law that legalized industrial hemp as an agricultural product. The House and Senate are working on bills that …
Farmers Need Disaster Relief Now
The following statement concerning congressional efforts to provide disaster assistance for farmers and ranchers may be attributed to American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall: “Farms and ranches across the country have endured an incredibly difficult year in 2018 and the trend continues in 2019 with historic hurricanes, floods, tornadoes and wildfires. Losses total more than $8 billion, and the …
DeSantis, Cabinet Sign Off on Land Deals
Gov. Ron DeSantis and the state Cabinet on Tuesday approved paying more than $15 million to buy and preserve nearly 5,700 acres of land in South Florida and near the Georgia border in separate deals. The bigger of the two Florida Forever program purchases calls for spending $14.775 million to buy 5,534 acres within an area of Hendry County known …
Seed Industry Storms the Hill
A diverse group of seed-industry leaders, representing companies of all sizes, sectors and geographies, are gathered in Washington, D.C. for the American Seed Trade Association’s (ASTA) annual Storm the Hill legislative fly-in, April 2-3. Topping the list of 2019 legislative priorities are innovation, trade and agriculture research funding. “Virtually everything in life starts with a seed, and so many things …
U.S. Pork Can’t Afford Loss of Mexican Market
The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) asked the Trump administration to carefully consider the fallout from cutting off trade between the United States and Mexico. U.S. pork producers and other American farmers are already facing mounting financial losses from retaliatory tariffs by Mexico and China. The following statement may be attributed to David Herring, president of the National Pork Producers …
Governor Ron DeSantis Appoints Dr. Thomas K. Frazer as Chief Science Officer
Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Dr. Thomas K. Frazer as the State of Florida’s first Chief Science Officer. Joining Governor DeSantis at the announcement were Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Secretary Noah Valenstein and leadership of Florida’s environmental organizations. On January 10, Governor DeSantis announced major water policy reforms for the state of Florida by signing Executive Order 19-12 (Achieving …
Packinghouse Course Coming to Tifton
An event that has been held in Florida for many years will take place in Tifton, Georgia April 18-19. The International Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) Alliance accredited course is a major workshop that will help packinghouse operators meet the requirements of Primus GFS Facility Audit. One of the workshop organizers, Kristin Woods with Alabama Extension and the Produce …
NPPC Calls for Swift U.S./Japan Trade Negotiation
The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) welcomed reports that the United States and Japan will commence trade negotiations on April 15, 2019 and urged the Trump administration to expeditiously complete and deliver for ratification to Congress a trade deal that puts U.S. pork producers back on a level playing field in Japan. “U.S. pork producers are losing market share in …
Wakulla County, Florida, Designated as a Primary Natural Disaster Area
Emergency Support to Producers in Surrounding Counties Also Available Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue designated Wakulla County, Florida, as a primary natural disaster area. Producers who suffered losses due to Hurricane Michael that occurred on Oct. 10, 2018, may be eligible for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) emergency loans. This natural disaster area designation allows FSA to …
Georgia Peanut Commission Increases Funding for Research Projects in 2019
Board approves $653,901 in research projects The Georgia Peanut Commission (GPC) board of directors has approved $653,901 in research project funding for the 2019-20 research budget year. This action was taken during the commission’s March board meeting. The research projects approved include 35 project proposals submitted from the University of Georgia, USDA Agricultural Research Service and Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College. …