Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, Agriculture Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried was joined by state lawmakers to strongly oppose a House Agriculture and Natural Resource Subcommittee bill, PCB ANR 20-01, which would move the Office of Energy from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Fried was joined by Senator Kevin Rader and Representative Javier Fernandez …
Budget Discussed in Georgia Legislature
Week two of the 2020 session for the Georgia General Assembly was mostly about the budget. Georgia Agribusiness Council (GAC) President, Will Bentley, looks at a few of the budget issues, and how some of those will affect various aspects of agriculture in the state. To keep track of activities during the 2020 Legislative Session and to learn more about …
Commissioner Nikki Fried on 2020 Legislative Priorities
(FDACS) — Today marks the start of Florida’s annual 60-day legislative session. Agriculture Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried released a video highlighting a number of her top legislative priorities for the 2020 session. Following a highly successful first legislative session, Commissioner Fried and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services look forward to additional legislative successes in 2020. Improving Concealed Weapons Licensing: The bills, SB 1566 by Senator …
Alabama Cattlemen Ready for Legislative Session
The 2020 Alabama Legislative Session starts Feb. 4, but the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association (ACA) is already looking ahead to the annual event. ACA Executive Vice President Erin Beasley notes this is why membership in the association is so important. Beasley will be watching the legislative session from the cattle industry perspective. The annual Alabama Cattlemen’s Association Convention and Trade Show …
Georgia Senator Joins Ag Committee
It was announced this week that Georgia Republican Senator Kelly Loeffler will replace Republican David Perdue on the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry. Loeffler, an Illinois native who grew up on a family farm, was appointed to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Senator Johnny Isakson. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue issued the following statement after …
DeSantis Likely to Get Environmental Money in Session
(NSF) — Gov. Ron DeSantis appears poised for a victory as he seeks environmental money to combat water-quality problems that plague the state. DeSantis’ $625 million request for the upcoming legislative session includes money for Everglades restoration, fighting toxic algae outbreaks and boosting the Florida Forever land-preservation program, all issues popular among lawmakers and environmentalists. The proposal is the second …
Important Deadline Reminders
Tyron Spearman has information about some important deadlines that growers need to be aware of. 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
Senate to Continue Ordinary Business
(NAFB) — Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell signaled an opportunity to quickly consider the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). In a speech on the Senate floor Friday, McConnell says the Senate will “go about ordinary business,” because House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is holding the articles of impeachment, thought to delay USMCA consideration in the Senate this month. A hearing is on the …
Lawmakers Seek to Scuttle Conservation Appeal
(NSF) — The House, Senate and two state agencies asked the Florida Supreme Court this week to reject an appeal in a fight about how lawmakers carried out a 2014 constitutional amendment aimed at boosting land and water conservation. Attorneys for the Legislature, the Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services filed briefs Monday asking …
Federal Officials Begin to Crack Down on CBD Products
A number of new dietary supplements and food products containing cannabidiol (CBD) have hit the market this year, however federal authorities are looking to crack down on the companies marketing CBD products. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently issued a series of letters to companies marketing products that contain CBD, warning them of violating the Federal Food, Drug, …