Latest on the Farm Bill

Randall Weiseman General, Peanuts, Specialty Crops, Vegetables

Big differences still remain between congress and the administration over the Farm Bill, and agriculture Secretary Ed Shafer says unless they get closer to a compromise by next week, a long term extension of the current farm bill is likely. Report(1:00 mp3) Meanwhile, the House has finally named members for a farm bill conference committee. Report 1 (:30 mp3)    Report 2 (1:00 …

More Fruit for Export

Randall Weiseman Specialty Crops

US fruit growers are sending more of their product to foreign markets then ever before with the weaker US dollar and flat demand at home. Report(1:00 mp3) Sponsored ContentUnited Dairy Farmers of Florida Director Encouraged About the FutureMarch 27, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provided Opportunity To Highlight Difficult Farming SubjectMarch 20, 2026Valley Helps Growers Get The Most Out Of Every …

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 ContentUnited Dairy Farmers of Florida Director Encouraged About the FutureMarch 27, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provided Opportunity To Highlight Difficult Farming SubjectMarch 20, 2026Valley Helps Growers Get The …

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 ContentUnited Dairy Farmers of Florida Director Encouraged About the FutureMarch 27, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provided Opportunity …

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 ContentUnited Dairy Farmers of Florida Director Encouraged About the FutureMarch 27, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement …

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 ContentUnited Dairy Farmers of Florida Director Encouraged About the FutureMarch 27, 2026Florida …

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 …