The U.S. Department of Labor has granted a two-week extension of the comment period for the proposed overhaul of the migrant farm worker visa program. The original deadline was Monday. Under the program changes, employers would be required to seek U.S. employees for a longer period of time before they could recruit foreign workers. The H-2A visa program is designed …
FFVA President on Trade
Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer today announced the appointment of members to the Agricultural Policy Advisory Committee for Trade, including Mike Stuart with the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association. Report (1:00 mp3)
FFVA Concerned About IFAS Budget
Mike Stuart with the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association says they are keeping a close eye on this year’s Florida legislative session to make sure cuts for research programs at the University of Florida IFAS are not too severe. Report (1:00 mp3)
Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Resistant Tomato Variety FL Field Day
A Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Resistant Tomato Variety Trial Field Day will be held on Tuesday April 8, 2008 from 10 AM till noon at Six L’s Farm Op 8, which will highlight 14 entries of tomato yellow leaf curl resistant varieties of tomato from BHN, Harris Moran, Hazera, Sakata, Seminis, and the University of Florida IFAS in a replicated …
UF Receives $1M to Unlock Energy from Sugarcane Residues
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The University of Florida’s quest to develop cost-effective methods of producing fuel ethanol from biomass received a $1 million boost this month, with a grant package for research aimed at increasing the amount of fermentable sugar obtained from sugarcane stalks and leaves.
Specialty Crop Growers Frustrated With Farm Bill
Specialty crop interests are frustrated by the latest extension of the 2002 farm bill, however Mike Stuart with Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association, who is co-chairman of the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance, says they remain optimistic a new farm bill can be passed. Report (1:00 mp3)
What Administration Wants in Farm Bill
President Bush signed a short term extension of the current farm bill last week and this week Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer outlined what the president expects Congress to deliver in a Farm Bill by April 18. Report (1:00 mp3) Schafer says what the administration wants includes funding for specialty crops. Report (1:00 mp3) According to Schafer if Congress fails …
Congress Urged to Ratify Colombia Free Trade Pact
The Bush administration is urging Congress to ratify the Colombia Free Trade Agreement that was negotiated in 2006. USDA officials say it would be good for agriculture – including grains, meat, cotton, peanuts and specialty crops. Report (1:00 mp3)
Pest Control Industry Concerned Over IFAS Cuts TOO!
It is a growing reality that major cuts to IFAS will impact far more than just agriculture industries in Florida. In these reports, comments from Florida Pest Control President/CEO Dempsey “D.R.” Sapp Jr, who is in Tallahassee this week as part of a Florida Pest Management Association member delegation. Speaking of industry events in the state Capitol, Florida Cattlemen’s Association …
Georgia Veg Industry Optimism
The Georgia vegetable industry recently overwhelmingly passed a new vegetable marketing order and Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association executive director Charles Hall says the industry is really growing in the state. Report (1:00 mp3)