Florida Commissioner’s Spotlight: FRESH! Recipe – Mozzarella Eggplant Melt

On this week’s Commissioner’s Spotlight, Florida’s Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam is joined by Executive Chef Justin Timineri to talk about one of the chef’s favorite sandwiches featured in this week’s Fresh! Recipe video.   Find out more about preparing this exciting Florida Eggplant, Tomato and Mozzarella Melt sandwich here. You can follow Florida Commissioner Adam Putnam on Facebook, Twitter, …

Conaway, Peterson Praise U.S. Sugar Deal

House Agriculture Committee Chairman K. Michael Conaway (TX-11) and Ranking Member Collin Peterson (MN-7) made the below remarks following an announcement that an agreement was reached between the U.S. sugar industry and the Department of Commerce to bring Mexican sugar into compliance with U.S. trade laws: “I am very pleased that the Department of Commerce was able to negotiate an …

USDA Role in Enforcing New U.S.-Mexico Sugar Deal

Last week, it was announced that a new agreement between the United States and Mexico regarding the importation of Mexican sugar had been reached. The U.S. Department of Commerce had been reviewing the 2014 agreement with the government of Mexico and the Mexican sugar refiners that suspended anti-dumping and countervailing duties on the import of Mexican sugar into the U.S. In …

Shorter Georgia Peach Crop Harvest Expected

We told you last week that this year’s Georgia peach crop has been negatively affected by the lack of chill hours it received this winter. According to Jack Spruill, director of marketing with the Georgia Department of Agriculture, not only is the crop looking at an estimated 80% loss this year, time of normal harvest has also been affected. Sponsored …

Look out California! UF scientist says artichokes may grow in warm, humid Florida

by Brad Buck University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Artichokes might grow in Florida’s subtropical climate after all — good news for those craving the taste and antioxidants of the food crop. Shinsuke Agehara, a University of Florida assistant professor of horticultural sciences, presented his preliminary findings to the Florida State Horticultural Society June 5-6. In his …

Healthy Preparation of Mushrooms

  Cathy Isom explores the healthiest way to eat a mushroom. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours.   When it comes to mushrooms they can be consumed either cooked, or raw, depending on your preference. However, a study done by Spanish researchers shows that cooking mushrooms in the microwave, or grilling them, are the best processes to maintain …

Organic Research Institution Launches Industrial Hemp Research Project

The Rodale Institute has started a new industrial hemp research project focused on examining the crop’s role in soil health and regenerative organic agriculture. Proclaimed as the nation’s leading organic farming research institution, Rodale is overseeing one of 16 pilot projects to grow industrial hemp in Pennsylvania, the first legal cultivation of the crop in the state in 80 years. …

Georgia Peach Crop Negatively Affected

Some people have wondered how the freezing temperatures back in March may have affected the Georgia peach crop. But according to Jack Spruill, director of marketing with the Georgia Department of Agriculture, the crop was affected but not by the freeze.   Sponsored ContentStrong Relationship Exists Between the Florida Cattle Enhancement Board and UF-IFASApril 17, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides …

Sugar Deal Reached with Mexico

It was announced Tuesday that the U.S. and Mexico have reached an agreement to finally end the sugar dispute. And with renegotiations of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) expected to start in August, some experts are saying the sugar agreement is good news. And according to a story from Rod Bain, one person commenting on the new agreement …

Year of Purple Foods

  Cathy Isom checks into why 2017 may be the year of the purple foods, and not just in the produce aisle. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours.   If you think there’s been a lot more purple-colored foods in your grocery stores lately, you’re not imagining things. The lavender hues and amethyst colored veggies, like cauliflower and …