A lime is a perfect fruit to have a slice of with a cool refreshing drink. Cathy Isom tells us about the California company hoping to boost produce sales by the bagful.That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The next time you reach for the limes in the produce aisle, you might be surprised to find them bagged …
Agri View: Lemon Imports
Everett Griner talks about why the lemon producers wanting to stop imports in today’s Agri View. You know we grow a lot of fruit in this country. It is very likely more than anywhere else. One of the least common, and least talked about, is the lemon. It is not a fruit you eat a lot. It is …
NAFTA is a Problem for U.S. Specialty Crop Industry
The House Agriculture Committee held a hearing Wednesday to highlight opportunities for agriculture in the upcoming renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Chairman Michael Conaway and members of the committee heard from various stakeholder groups on opportunities to achieve the best deal possible for American agriculture. One of those providing testimony was Executive Vice President of the …
FFVA Announces Class 7 of Emerging Leader Development Program
The Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association (FFVA) has selected 10 up-and-coming agriculture industry leaders to participate in its Emerging Leader Development Program for the coming year. The 2017-2018 Class 7 members are Myles Basore, TKM Bengard; Maria Cavazos, R.C. Hatton; Catherine Cellon, Duda Farm Fresh Foods; Philip Grigsby, Premier Ag Finance; Brent Johnson, DuPont; Frankie Montalvo, Glades Formulating Corp.; Justin …
Tropical Fruit Contest ‘Share Mango Love’
Cathy Isom tells us all about the tropical fruit getting a lot of attention this summer. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. What is your favorite way to eat or enjoy a Mango? In a smoothie? Diced and tossed in a salad? In Salsa? Or eaten whole? Well, you could be seeing Mangos popping up everywhere this …
Agri View: Winter Storm Losses
Everett Griner talks about losses suffered by producers during the last winter storm in today’s Agri View. Let me see if I can put this in more realistic terms for you to understand. Say you make so much money per month. You work 12 months. You add up your total salary for the year. Not bad! But …
FDA Grants to Help States Comply with FSMA Produce Rule
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is issuing $30.9 million in funding to support 43 states in their continued efforts to help implement the Food Safety Modernization Act’s (FSMA) produce safety rule. The funds represent the largest total of grants made available by the FDA to support compliance with the rule, which seeks to update and strengthen the FDA’s …
Researchers Hope to Help Find Sites to Grow Tomorrow’s Produce
by Brad Buck, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences University of Florida researchers are sounding a warning bell that fresh produce may be hard to come by in the future. Scientists with the UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences cite changes in our climate, loss of fresh water and competition for resources as major threats to farmers’ …
Chlorine Dioxide Pouches Can Make Produce Safer and Reduce Spoilage
A small plastic pouch, half the size of a credit card, could soon make the nation’s produce safer by killing off pathogens that make people sick. The pouch, developed with help from Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists, releases chlorine dioxide gas, which eliminates E. coli and other pathogens from the surfaces of fruits and vegetables. Worrell Water Technologies of Delray Beach, Florida, hopes …
Florida Commissioner’s Spotlight: FRESH! Recipe – Balsamic Watermelon
On this week’s Commissioner’s Spotlight, Florida’s Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam is joined by Executive Chef Justin Timineri to talk about a tasty new way to enjoy watermelon, Fresh From Florida! Ingredients: Watermelon Slices 6-12 slices of fresh Florida watermelon 4-6 ounces feta cheese, crumbled Mint Oil 1/2 cup olive oil 20-25 fresh mint leaves 2 tablespoons fresh parsley Sea …