FL Rains Continue – New Anchor for AgNet’s Specialty Crop News

Gary Cooper Florida, Specialty Crops, Sugar, Vegetables

From drought conditions to downright flood conditions in many Florida specialty crop production areas, growers continue to deal with rain in many areas of Florida, some right about the time of harvest. Stay tuned in days to come, as AgNet’s Julie McPeake (photo) takes the anchor position for Specialty Crop news reports here at the network. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester …

BRONSON PASSES ON GOV RACE, Does Not Endorse McCollum

Gary Cooper Citrus, Florida, General, Sugar

THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA – By KEITH LAING THE CAPITAL, TALLAHASSEE, May 21, 2009……….Saying there might not be enough political money to go around in a down economy when his party will be seeking to win races for the U.S. Senate and governor, Republican Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Bronson said Thursday that he would not run to replace Gov. Charlie …

SW FL: Reg Deadline May 26 for Farm Safety Day Saturday June 6

Gary Cooper Citrus, Florida, Sugar, Vegetables

The Nineteenth Annual 2009 Southwest Florida Farm Safety Day is almost here and will be held on Saturday, 6 June 2009. Safe and competent equipment operators are important to farm employers. Accidents, which cause damage, injury or death to employees, equipment and crops are costly. Organizers of the event believe all types of accidents can be reduced with proper employee …

FL’s Cretul on Seminole Compact, Horse Racing, Farm to Fuel & More

Gary Cooper Citrus, Energy, General, Sugar

Catching up with Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives Larry Cretul at a Marion County Farm Bureau farm tour luncheon Friday we asked about the impact of the Seminole Gaming Compact on horse racing in Florida; a possible special session; farm to fuel initiatives; grass roots input to lawmakers with respect to the new lobbying restrictions, and what his …

Former Senator, Rancher, Gubenatorial Candidate Eyes FL A-G Post

Gary Cooper Citrus, Florida, General, Specialty Crops, Sugar, Vegetables

Former state Senator Rod Smith of Alachua County, a close runner-up for the Democratic nomination for Governor the last time around, is reportedly expected to run for Attorney General if A-G Bill McCollum throws his hat in the ring for governor. McCollum’s decision to do so is all but a given at this point. Florida politics will be active in …

FL NRCS: $1.325 Million Available for Florida Organic Producers

Gary Cooper Citrus, Florida, Specialty Crops, Sugar, USDA-NRCS, Vegetables

Applications Accepted Until May 29, 2009 – GAINESVILLE, May 8, 2009—The United States Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida announces over $1.3 Million in funding available for qualified applicants for a new Organics Initiative. The initiative meets the Obama Administration’s promise to encourage more organic agriculture production. Funding for the initiative is being made available as …

U S Sugar Board Approves Amended SFWMD Land Acquisition

Gary Cooper Citrus, Florida, Sugar

This news release just in late today from U S Sugar Corporation, saying the amended terms of the acquisition package will protect rural jobs and the environment: CLEWISTON —May 8, 2009 (U S Sugar Corp.) —The Board of Directors of the U.S. Sugar Corporation today approved the amended contract terms for the South Florida Water Management District’s acquisition of the …

Crop Protection Product Fee Increases Could Hurt Florida Farmers

Gary Cooper Citrus, Florida, General, Specialty Crops, Sugar, Vegetables

If you’re a farmer or in the crop protection product industry in Florida, you will want to hear these reports featuring Florida Fertilizer and Agri-Chemical Association Executive Mary Hartney. She explains how the state legislature this year singled out food crop protection products for another doubling of registration fees that may make it more difficult for some companies to justify …