The Senate next week could approve a measure aimed at preventing local governments from regulating homeowners’ vegetable gardens. Senators on Thursday took up the bill (SB 82), sponsored by Sen. Rob Bradley, R-Fleming Island, and positioned it for a vote. The issue stems from a legal dispute between homeowners Hermine Ricketts and Laurence Carroll and the Village of Miami Shores …
Florida Senate Ag Chair on Water: ‘Science Is on Our Side’
During Wednesday evening’s Florida Cattlemen Association legislative reception festivities near the state Capitol, Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Ben Albritton said water issues abound in discussion circles this year. In this brief report, Albritton emphasized agriculture’s presence in the legislative process is critical. He added that the facts about agriculture must be heard above misinformation and misguided rhetoric that too often …
Trump Budget Rapped over Everglades Money
Environmentalists and some high-profile supporters of President Donald Trump are criticizing his proposed budget for not including enough money for Everglades restoration. U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., U.S. Rep. Brian Mast, R-Fla., and U.S. Rep. Francis Rooney, R-Fla., issued a news release Wednesday saying the White House budget request “failed to include sufficient funding for …
Broad Coalition Urges Congress to Protect Farm Bill Program Funding
As farmers, ranchers and rural communities grapple with a devastatingly weak farm economy, nearly 200 organizations, including the American Farm Bureau Federation and several state Farm Bureaus, are urging congressional budget writers to reject calls for additional cuts to farm bill programs. The bipartisan, budget-neutral 2018 farm bill was built upon the previous farm bill, which made a significant contribution …
NCBA and PLC Accepting Fall 2019 Internship Applications
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and the Public Lands Council’s (PLC) government affairs office in Washington, D.C., is accepting internship applications for the Fall 2019 semester. Positions for the Fall semester (Sept. 3, 2019 – Dec. 13, 2019) include a public policy intern and law clerk. The deadline to submit an application for either position is March 15, 2019. The …
Florida Cattlemen to Hold Legislative Quarterly
Now that the 2019 Florida Legislative Session is underway, this week the Florida Cattlemen’s Association (FCA) will hold their annual Legislative Quarterly in Tallahassee. FCA Director of Governmental Affairs, Sam Ard, said Wednesday is a big day of events. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Plays Critical Role To Extend ResearchNovember 7, 2025CIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsNovember 1, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement Board …
New Date for Alabama Agribusiness Council Legislative Reception
Due to the unpredictable schedule of the Alabama special legislative session, the Alabama Agribusiness Council (AAC) Legislative Reception has been rescheduled for April 10. Governor Kay Ivey called a special session, mainly so lawmakers could discuss an additional excise tax on gas and diesel fuel. So the Alabama Agribusiness Council hopes you can attend the reception later in the session as it honors …
Florida Congressman Francis Rooney to ‘Deal with the Continuing Menace of Agriculture’
Singling out farmers south of Lake Okeechobee during a speech to area residents in Cape Coral, Florida, in late February, Rep. Francis Rooney (R – SW FL District 19) stated he wants to “try to deal with the continuing menace of agriculture in the EAA (Everglades Agriculture Area).” This video excerpt of the congressman’s comments, transcribed below, is now being …
Great Week for Agriculture in Georgia Legislature
During week eight of the 2019 Georgia legislative session, lawmakers reached crossover day. Will Bentley with the Georgia Agribusiness Council says it was a great week for agriculture. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Plays Critical Role To Extend ResearchNovember 7, 2025CIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsNovember 1, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Funded Research Impactful for the Future of the Florida Cattle IndustryOctober …
FFB ‘Taste of Florida Agriculture’ Event Engages Lawmakers
Farm Bureau (FFB) members again hosted state lawmakers for food and festivities during the opening week of the legislative session, during their annual Farm Bureau Days event Wednesday at the state Capitol. Farm Bureau organizes this function and involves many of the state’s other commodity groups and related businesses, as a way to help educate lawmakers about the depth and …