Few programs within the farm bill are designed for specialty crops, and even fewer are designed specifically for specialty crops. However, the Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops (TASC) program is just that, and the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance wants to keep the program how it was intended twenty years ago. TASC was first passed in the 2002 farm bill. …
Bill Could Help Black Farmers in Florida Get Pot Licenses
(NSF/TALLAHASSEE,FL/May 9, 2023) — Black farmers who didn’t make the cut last year could have another opportunity to vie for medical-marijuana licenses, under a bill approved by lawmakers in the final days of the 2023 legislative session. The bill, which awaits a decision by Gov. Ron DeSantis, is part of years-long efforts aimed at giving Black farmers an entry into …
SNAP Work Requirements in Farm Bill Discussions
As lawmakers continue early work on shaping the 2023 farm bill, one of the bill’s biggest programs continues to create a divide. Nutrition programs account for about 80 percent of the farm bill, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the largest food assistance program administered by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). Lawmakers on both sides of the …
AgNet Weekly: Representative Kat Cammack
Representative Kat Cammack (R-FL-03) joins host Sabrina Halvorson this week for a discussion on protecting seasonal and perishable produce growers in trade deals, controlling government regulations with the REINS Act, WOTUS, and more. Each week we highlight essential legislative and policy conversations affecting agriculture nationwide. Host Sabrina Halvorson is a 30-year media veteran known nationally for her award-winning, balanced, and …
Florida Lawmakers Pass $117B Budget, End Session
(NSF/TALLAHASSEE, FL/May 5, 2023) — Florida lawmakers on Friday finalized a $117 billion budget and an accompanying $1.3 billion tax package to end a legislative session that carried out many of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ priorities. After adjourning “sine die” — the traditional declaration that marks the end of the annual 60-day session — just before 11 a.m., House Speaker Paul …
Florida Lawmakers Wrap Up 2023 Legislative Session
Florida lawmakers wrapped up the 2023 legislative session Friday morning, a bit earlier in the day than normal. Florida Cattlemen’s Association (FCA) Director of Governmental Affairs, Sam Ard, told Southeast AgNet’s Randall Weiseman agriculture had a very good year in the session. To learn more, contact the FCA office in Kissimmee. Sponsored ContentFCEB Recurring Funding Provides Opportunity for Longer Term Research …
Peanut Grower Participates in Farm Bill Hearing
The Agriculture Subcommittee on Commodities, Risk Management, and Trade held a hearing in Washington D.C. this week entitled “Commodity Programs, Credit, and Crop Insurance – Part 1: Producer Perspectives on the Farm Safety Net.” Tyron Spearman reports a grower from Georgia was there representing the U.S. Peanut Federation. Sponsored ContentFCEB Recurring Funding Provides Opportunity for Longer Term Research ProjectsOctober 10, …
A Strong Farm Safety Net is a Priority
Listening sessions continue across the country concerning the 2023 farm Bill. And Tyron Spearman reports many are noting the importance of a strong safety net for farmers. Sponsored ContentFCEB Recurring Funding Provides Opportunity for Longer Term Research ProjectsOctober 10, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Advances Forage ResearchOctober 3, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Acts As Catalyst For Timely ResearchSeptember 26, 2025
Florida House, Senate Nail Down Spending Plan
(NSF/TALLAHASSEE, FL/May 1, 2023) — After what they called the “smoothest” budget negotiations in years, House and Senate leaders on Monday finished working out details of a spending plan that is expected to top $116 billion. The plan for the fiscal year that will start July 1 would be more than $6 billion larger than the budget for the current …
AgNet Weekly: NCBA Opposition to PRIME Act
The PRIME Act has once again made its way into Congress. Current law exempts custom slaughter of animals from federal inspection regulations, only if the meat is for personal, household, guest, and employee use. So, to sell individual cuts of locally raised meats to consumers, farmers and ranchers must send their animals to a USDA-inspected slaughterhouse. Proponents of the bill …