H2A Comment Period Extended

Randall Weiseman General, Specialty Crops, Vegetables

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

Randall Weiseman Florida, Specialty Crops, Vegetables

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) Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Allows Viable Research in the Cattle IndustryFebruary 6, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Track Record Well Received By LegislatorsJanuary 30, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Supports …

FFVA Concerned About IFAS Budget

Randall Weiseman Florida, Specialty Crops, Vegetables

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) Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Allows Viable Research in the Cattle IndustryFebruary 6, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Track …

UF Receives $1M to Unlock Energy from Sugarcane Residues

Gary Cooper Energy, Florida, Sugar

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. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Allows Viable Research in the Cattle IndustryFebruary 6, 2026Florida Cattle …

Specialty Crop Growers Frustrated With Farm Bill

Randall Weiseman Florida, Specialty Crops, Vegetables

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) Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Allows Viable Research in the Cattle IndustryFebruary 6, …

What Administration Wants in Farm Bill

Randall Weiseman Specialty Crops

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

Randall Weiseman Alabama, Cattle, Cotton, Field Crops, Florida, General, Georgia, Peanuts, Specialty Crops

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) Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Allows Viable Research in the Cattle IndustryFebruary 6, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Track Record Well Received …

Pest Control Industry Concerned Over IFAS Cuts TOO!

Gary Cooper Citrus, Florida, General, Nursery Crops, Sugar

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

Randall Weiseman Georgia, Vegetables

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) Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Allows Viable Research in the Cattle IndustryFebruary 6, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Track Record Well Received By LegislatorsJanuary 30, 2026Florida …