In these two reports, comments from Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Charlie Bronson about some of the things farmers and ranchers are keyed in on this election day.
Training for Fresh Produce Microbial Pathogen Testing Upcoming
Fresh Produce Microbial Pathogen Testing Webinar Set for November 20, 2008 DAVIS, CA (October 21, 2008) – The UC Davis Postharvest Technology Research & Information Center, in collaboration with the Center for Produce Safety is proud to announce the first in a series of distance-education Fresh Produce Executive Forum Webinars. Starting November 20, 2008 with launch of the first webinar …
Halloween Stories
As if the economy and the elections aren’t scary enough – it’s Halloween! Here are some holiday tales from John Davis and “This Land of Ours” to get in the spirit! Pumpkins are more pricey this year – 2 reports: What it takes to grow a great pumpkin: A little Halloween history – 2 reports:
Redneck Fishing Tourney in South FL Fast Approaching Nov 7-8!
Organizer Robert Murray provides us with the following information about this year’s 7th Annual Redneck Invitational, November 7th and 8th, 2008 at Cabbage Key. This one day invitational tournament is sponsored by and for anglers in the agricultural industry in Florida. The Redneck Invitational Inc. was established in 2002 by a group of growers and ag sales representatives as a …
Better Bee Nutrition
Nutrition could be a contributing factor to colony collapse disorder in honey bees so researchers have developed a bee smoothie with balanced nutrition to help improve bee health. Two reports:
New FFVA Board Members
The Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association has appointed four new producer members to its board of directors: Hank Scott, Paul Allen, Charles Lucas, and Maurice Turgeau. Listen to report:
FL Farm Bureau Keeping Eye on Trade
Trade issues could be used on the federal level to help jump start the economy, which could be a concern for Florida specialty crop producers, according to Pat Cockrell with the Florida Farm Bureau.
FARM BILL IMPLEMENTATION – Progress as of October 2008
This just in from USDA… Within weeks of the late June enactment of the Farm Bill, USDA began delivering program benefits for 2008 and will deliver additional program benefits in 2009. The 2008 Farm Bill has 15 titles — and more than 600 provisions: 50 percent more than the 2002 Farm Bill.
Citrus Concerns Grow Over Specialty Crop Research Allocations
There is a growing rumble in Florida and particularly in citrus country over recent allocations of specialty crop research monies. CLICK HERE to read the entire USDA news release that outlines where some 28-million research dollars are being awarded. Some industry and congressional sources tell us the allocations overlook critical and timely needs for research into citrus greening disease, or …
John Deere Introduces New Compact Tractors for Market Niches
In Sarasota, Florida this week John Deere officials displayed hundreds of tractors, many of them new models to become available in 2009, many of them geared toward the ‘lifestyle’ rural crowd and folks involved in things like citrus, nursery, vineyards and other agriculture operations. According to John Deere representatives on hand for the event, the new models coupled with the …