Lawmakers Getting Behind Hemp Industry

Dan Florida, Specialty Crops

Looking at a potentially lucrative new industry, lawmakers are working on rules for farmers and businesses to grow and sell industrial hemp in Florida. The Senate Agriculture Committee on Monday approved a bill (SB 1020) that would create a regulatory framework for the industry, which is emerging after a federal law last year legalized industrial hemp as an agricultural product. …

Growing Organic Products

Dan Fruits, Organic, Peanuts, Vegetables

The U.S. peanut market has recognized that organic peanuts could be in future developments. And in a story from Tyron Spearman, Americans are now spending more than $21 billion on organic consumer packaged goods. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Producers Proactive In Research Efforts Funded by the Florida Cattle Enhancement BoardJanuary 16, 2026Florida Cattle Industry Supports Administration of Florida Cattle Enhancement BoardJanuary …

Vegetable Garden Bill Gets Green Light

Dan Florida, Industry News Release, Vegetables

In an issue stemming from a legal dispute in South Florida, the Senate on Thursday overwhelmingly approved a bill that would prevent local governments from regulating homeowners’ vegetable gardens. Senators voted 35-5 to support the measure (SB 82), sponsored by Sen. Rob Bradley, R-Fleming Island. Bradley took up the issue after a dispute between homeowners Hermine Ricketts and Laurence Carroll …

Tips for Growing Raspberries

Dan Fruits, Specialty Crops, This Land of Ours

Cathy Isom has a some helpful tips for growing raspberries in your own backyard.  That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Raspberries are hardy, cold tolerant, and easy to grow with a few issues.  They’re also packed with vitamin A, B6, C, E, and K, as well as copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, and potassium.  There are several different varieties of …

A Huge Decline in Pecan Production

Dan Specialty Crops

A new report shows a hurricane and other bad weather events last year took a huge bite out of U.S. pecan production. Gary Crawford has the story. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Producers Proactive In Research Efforts Funded by the Florida Cattle Enhancement BoardJanuary 16, 2026Florida Cattle Industry Supports Administration of Florida Cattle Enhancement BoardJanuary 9, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Significant …

Hemp Industry Looking at Establishing a Trade Association

Dan Industry News Release, Specialty Crops, Trade

A coalition of hemp farmers, farm service companies, processors, crop insurance agents and lenders, as well as other stakeholders, are looking at possibly establishing a trade association group. The Hagstrom Report says the goal is to have an organization that represents the hemp industry in Washington, D.C. Hemp is currently used to make textiles, paper, paint, oil, biodegradable plastics, and …