Syngenta Crop Protection recently sponsored the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association education scholarship for the fourth year in a row. This year’s winner was Derek Orsenigo, who is currently pursuing his bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Operations Management at the University of Florida. Report (:30 mp3)
Good Guava
The importance of foods high in antioxidants has been well documented. While there are many fruits and vegetables that contain lots of those healthy components, one you might not think about is guava. Report (1:00 mp3)
Alternative Crops Field Day
A twilight field day for alternative crops on the panhandle is being held Wednesday from 3 to 5 pm at the West Florida Research and Education Center in Jay. Report (1:00 wma)
Sugar Costs Less But Candy Costs More
Halloween is coming and America’s sugar producers want consumers to know that the price of their treats this year could be lower, if the price of sugar were passed along to them. Sugarcane producer and Florida Farm Bureau vice president Rick Roth says candy prices have increased 50-percent since the 1980s – despite falling sugar prices – and industrial sugar …
Retail Produce Market Report
USDA’s Agricultural Market Service has launched a new weekly advertised retail activity and price report for fruits and vegetables. The report surveys more than 200 retail websites covering 17,000 individual stores nationwide and is available on the USDA AMS market news website. Report (1:00 mp3)
Florida Food Safety Partnership
Florida Agriculture Commissioner Charles Bronson last week announced that his department will be working with the University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS), to develop and deliver statewide food safety educational materials and training for agricultural producers and workers. Report (1:00 mp3)
Specialty Crop Research Grants
USDA’s Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service has awarded more than $4.7 million in grants to 13 universities and research laboratories for tomato and potato specialty crops genetic research to help improved fruit quality, yield, stress tolerance and disease resistance. Among the grants is nearly $399,000 for the University of Florida. Report (1:00 mp3)
Farm Bill Update for Specialty Crops
American Farm Bureau legislative affairs director Mary Kay Thatcher gave an update on the 2007 Farm Bill and specialty crops at last week’s Florida Farm Bureau annual meeting. Report (1:00 mp3)
Apple Time
Autumn is traditionally time for apples but today’s apple varieties are more than just Delicious. Report (1:00 mp3) There is also a trend toward heirloom apples, bringing back some of the regional varieties that Grandma used to grow. Report (1:00 mp3)
“No-Match Letter” Issue Put On Hold By Court
Cindy’s audio report including comments from FFBF Vice president Rick Roth of Belle Glade on how the “No-Match” rule would affect his operation. Report (1:00 mp3) Wednesday, October 10, 2007 – 11:43 PDT SAN FRANCISCO – A federal judge in San Francisco barred the Bush administration today from threatening to prosecute businesses for knowingly employing illegal immigrants if they fail …