Southern Gardens Dedicates New Citrus Nursery Facility

Gary Cooper Citrus, Florida, Sugar

Southern Gardens Citrus hosted industry, local and state political leaders at a dedication luncheon and tour Wednesday for its new citrus nursery facility in Gilchrist County in north central Florida. In the first report below, U. S. Sugar Vice President Robert Coker (left in photo) discusses when the facility will deliver its first seedlings. In the second report, U S …

Growth and Agriculture in Florida’s Future

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

At the recent annual summer meeting of the Florida Fertilizer and Agrichemical Association (FFAA) several speakers addressed Florida’s urban growth and the prospects for agriculture in the future as Florida’s population is sure to continue to expand. The first report posted below features Sr Vice President Richard Woodruff of Wilson Miller Engineering firm in Ft Myers, discussing how the statewide …

Sugar to Ethanol in Farm Bill

Randall Weiseman Energy, Sugar

Ethanol producers and sugar producers alike are pleased with a provision included in the farm bill recently approved by the U.S. House that would permit the government to channel some surplus sugar to ethanol production. Report (1:30 mp3)

FFB VP Attends Sweetener Symposium

Randall Weiseman Florida, General, Sugar

The 24th annual International Sweetener Symposium was held this week in California and one of the attendees was Florida Farm Bureau vice president Rick Roth of Roth Farms in Belle Glade. Report (1:00 mp3)

Popular FL Congressman With Strong Caution on Farm Bill Draft

Gary Cooper Citrus, Dairy, Florida, General, Livestock, Sugar, Vegetables

Congressman Adam Putnam says while yes, there are some good things for Florida citrus and other agriculture segments in the recently passed House version of the Farm Bill, there are also some very negative aspects to the bill that could outweigh the positives. In this report, hear Putnam’s pointed comments about a severe loss of conservation funding if the bill …

Sugar for Ethanol

Randall Weiseman Sugar

The House Ag Committee’s proposed farm bill would allow U.S. growers to sell cane and beet sugar for use in making ethanol. Report (1:00 mp3)

Farm Bill Mark Ups

Randall Weiseman Field Crops, General, Peanuts, Specialty Crops, Sugar

Lots of markups this week on 2007 Farm Bill proposals in the House Agriculture Committee. The Subcommittees on Specialty Crops, Rural Development, and Foreign Agriculture, and Horticulture and Organic Agriculture marked up proposals for the titles under their jurisdiction, including sugar and peanuts. There was also discussion about limiting direct payments to farmers. Peanuts and Sugar Report (1:00 mp3) Direct …

Talking Sugar on the Hill

Randall Weiseman Sugar

Farm broadcasters are in the nation’s capitol this week, meeting with administration officials, members of congress and agriculture industry representatives – mostly about the 2007 farm bill. Gary Cooper talked with Luther Markwart with the American Sugar Alliance. Report (1:45 wma)

Sugar Power and Policy Pressure

Randall Weiseman Energy, General, Sugar

Many sugar cane processors generate their own electricity with sugar by-products, but that sugar power could be lost if sugar policy changes. We have two reports. Report (1:30 wma) Report (1:00 wma)

SE Projects Get Energy Grants

Randall Weiseman Energy, Florida, Forestry, General, Georgia, Sugar

Two Southeastern cellulosic ethanol projects received grants last week from the US Department of Energy. Range Fuels, Inc., was awarded a $76 million grant to fund the research and construction needs of an ethanol plant in Soperton in Treutlen County Georgia. Once completed, the plant will produce about 40 million gallons of ethanol per year, and 9 million gallons per …