A new program for teaching toddlers healthy eating habits was unveiled this week by Florida Agriculture Commissioner Charles Bronson. Read more here. Report (1:00 mp3)
Melon Fuel
The National Watermelon Association is still working on making fuel from melons. Executive Director Bob Morrissey says they still believe they hope to get test projects going in Florida and Georgia to make ethanol from melons that go to waste each year. Report (1:30 mp3)
Blueberries as Brain Food
Antioxidant properties in blueberries and other fruits and vegetables could help keep the brain sharper as the body ages. Report (1:30 mp3)
Farm Bill Has More For Specialty Crops
According to Florida Citrus Mutual Congressional Affairs Director Casey Welch, while both versions of the Farm Bill have a lot more in them for specialty crop support, the two versions get the dollars from very different places. Hear Welch’s comments in this report. Report (1:00 mp3) In the second report, Welch adds it may be a while yet before Congress …
Stallings Crop Insurance Hosts Grower Mtgs in N FL, GA, AL
Sponsoring this special announcement: Agriculture producers in North Florida and throughout the Wiregrass region of southwest Georgia and southern Alabama are invited to attend any of six grower meetings being hosted in coming days by Stallings Crop Insurance. Learn more about the meeting agenda, times, places and dates here.
Various Meetings Upcoming
From the annual Beltwide Cotton Conference to the Southeast Fruit & Vegetable Conference, there are a variety of meetings coming up the next couple of weeks. Tyron Spearman has a look at some of those. Â Report (1:20 mp3) This post sponsored by:
FAO Summit on Minor Use Pesticides
The Food and Agricultural Organization held a summit last month in Rome to discuss challenges associated with pesticide use on specialty crops. Read more here. Report (:45 mp3)
Little Damage Reported From Cold
The Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association reports that growers generally escaped significant crop damage from last week’s cold spell. Report (:45 mp3)
USDA Radio Covers FL Freeze
Here is a radio newsclip from USDA’s radio team in Washington D. C. featuring this week’s Florida freeze. The USDA newsline is a service to the nation’s radio broadcasters, so this newsclip is fed to hundreds of broadcasters throughout the country. Report (2:00 mp3)
FL Cold Weather Irrigation Recordkeeping Reminder
This reminder in this afternoon from Florida Farm Bureau: Remember to report your frost/freeze protection water use separate from your usual water use permitted quantities. Crop protection water quantities are calculated outside your normal annual average permitted quantities. Please contact Cara Martin at FFBF if you have any questions (Cara Martin,Asst Dir, Gov & Community Affairs, FFBF, Ph: (727) 856-8649 …