FL Farm Bureau Urges Producer Participation in NRCS Mtg Series

Gary Cooper Citrus, Florida, Sugar, USDA-NRCS

Florida Farm Bureau urges producers to participate in meetings on Farm Bill conservation program (Gainesville, Fla. – FFBF) – The Florida Farm Bureau Federation (FFBF) is urging agricultural producers to attend meetings scheduled around the state in March by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA (NRCS). Rulemaking is in process for the Food Conservation and Energy Act of 2008, commonly …

Florida Farm Bureau South Florida Ag Report for February

Gary Cooper Citrus, Florida, General, Sugar

This report from Charles Shinn, Asst Director, Gov’t & Community Affairs, Florida Farm Bureau Federation. You can e-mail him at charles.shinn@ffbf.org Deadline Approaching for Lake Okeechobee Service Area Water Users Irrigation permits using surface water from Lake Okeechobee or its tributaries for landscape, golf course, nursery, livestock, improved pasture and agricultural uses need to be renewed to avoid losing the …

FL House Ag Chair Comments on U S Sugar Buyout & Budget Matters

Gary Cooper Citrus, Florida, General, Sugar

In these reports, Florida House Agriculture Committee Chair, Rep. Trudi Williams from Ft Myers, comments on a couple hot topics this year. In the first report, some of her objections to the proposed purchase of U S Sugar farmlands by the South Florida Water Management District. In the second, Williams expresses disappointment about recent Gubenatorial vetoes to budget cuts passed …

FL DBPR May Be Ramping Up Ag Enforcement in Wake Of Weather

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

We’re hearing from numerous contacts that the Florida Dept of Business & Professional Regulation may be ramping up its enforcement measures in the wake of the recent cold snaps affecting Florida agriculture. Our sources say at least sixteen investigators have been placed in agriculturally significant areas of the state to ensure compliance with all applicable state and federal laws. Investigators …

Irrigation Water Use Permit Renewal Workshop – Clewiston 2/25

Gary Cooper Citrus, Florida, Specialty Crops, Sugar

The South Florida Water Management District has begun the water use permit renewal process for the Lake Okeechobee Basin, which includes portions of Palm Beach, Martin, Glades, Okeechobee, Lee and Hendry counties. All individual and major general water use permits for irrigation withdrawals from Lake Okeechobee or its tributaries will expire on February 28, 2009. Since Water Use Permits have …

FEBRUARY 27, 2009 DEADLINE FOR FLORIDA WATER USERS

Gary Cooper Citrus, Florida, Sugar

This reminder thanks to Gene McAvoy, Regional Vegetable Agent IV, UF/IFAS Hendry Co Extension, LaBelle FL. Irrigation permits using surface water from Lake Okeechobee or its tributaries for landscape, golf course, nursery, livestock, improved pasture and agricultural uses need to be renewed to avoid losing the legal right to use this water. Anyone using surface water from Lake Okeechobee or …