USDA has awarded 85 grants totaling almost $3.5 million directed by the new farm bill to help farmers markets nationwide, including $75,000 for the State of Alabama Farmers Market Authority; $60,000 for the Florida Associtation of Community Farmers Markets; and two separate grants in Georgia for the Sparta/Hancock Produce Growers Cooperative and Common Ground Athens. Read details here. Listen to …
USDA to Purchase Fresh Tomatoes
USDA is purchasing up to 3.6 million pounds of fresh tomatoes with currently available Farm Bill funds. The tomatoes will be donated to child nutrition and other domestic food assistance programs. Listen to report here: Sponsored ContentWhat Sets Provysol® Fungicide ApartJuly 8, 2025CIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2025Nuseed Carinata Covers New GroundOctober 1, 2024
Growers Urged to Comment on Soil Fumigant Regs
The Florida Farm Bureau Federation is urging Florida growers to submit comments to the Environmental Protection Agency requesting the agency reevaluate its proposed Reregistration Eligibility Decisions for several important soil fumigants. The EPA has extended the comment period through Oct. 30. FFBF Agricultural Policy Division assistant director Joshua Craft talks about why this is so important and how growers can …
Lessons Learned from Salmonella Outbreak
Now that the salmonella stpaul outbreak has been officially declared over, officials are evaluating what steps can be taken to avoid a repeat in the future. Sponsored ContentWhat Sets Provysol® Fungicide ApartJuly 8, 2025CIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2025Nuseed Carinata Covers New GroundOctober 1, 2024
Irradiation Approved for Lettuce and Spinach
With continued food safety concerns focused on fresh produce, the Food and Drug Administration is now permitting growers and importers to irradiate spinach and iceberg lettuce. Sponsored ContentWhat Sets Provysol® Fungicide ApartJuly 8, 2025CIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2025Nuseed Carinata Covers New GroundOctober 1, 2024
Soil Fumigant Comment Deadline Extended
In response to requests from groups representing manufacturers and users of soil fumigants, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is extending the public comment period for reregistration of soil fumigant pesticides including methyl bromide. EPA had opened a 60-day public comment period in July but it has now been extended for an additional 45 days, closing on October 30. EPA is …
Fresh Produce in Schools
The 2008 Farm bill is providing $49 million in fresh fruits and vegetables for elementary school children during the school day under the new Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program – with over 1.6 million allocated for Florida schools. Sponsored ContentWhat Sets Provysol® Fungicide ApartJuly 8, 2025CIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2025Nuseed Carinata Covers New GroundOctober 1, 2024
Figuring Damage From Fay
As all eyes are now on Gustav, officials are still trying to determine how much damage the heavy rains and winds from Tropical Storm Fay caused – from citrus and vegetables in south Florida to cotton and pecans in the tri-state area. Sponsored ContentWhat Sets Provysol® Fungicide ApartJuly 8, 2025CIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2025Nuseed Carinata Covers New GroundOctober 1, …
Supplemental Ag Disaster Programs included in Farm Bill
This information from the FL Dept of Agriculture: With T.S. Fay making its way through the state, wanted to make sure everyone is aware that under the new Supplemental Agriculture Disaster Programs included in the 2008 Farm Bill, producers must have crop insurance or non-insured crop disaster assistance (NAP) coverage for the land for which assistance is being requested, and …
US Sugar Breaking Records
Just before Fay hit south Florida this week, US Sugar Corp announced they were on track to set new production records by the end of August. Listen to report here: After Tropical Storm Fay hit, US Sugar reported that sugarcane operations were affected with 8-12 inches of rain and hurricane force winds of 80-85 mph. They have standing water and …