Lease Termination is an Important Step in Meeting the Expedited Construction Schedule for the Reservoir Project Tallahassee, FL (Office of FL Gov. Ron DeSantis-Oct. 3, 2019)— Governor Ron DeSantis, the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced the early termination of the Florida Crystals Lease for the stormwater treatment area (STA) component …
USDA Invests $11M In Research That Will Support Specialty Crop Farmers
WASHINGTON (USDA-Oct. 3, 2019) — U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Under Secretary Scott Hutchins announced that the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) has invested $11 million in research that will support specialty crop farmers. “This collaborative public-private research effort will focus on applying innovative solutions to pest management problems that often are otherwise not available to specialty …
Response to FDACS Open Burn Program Enhancements
Clewiston, FL (U.S. Sugar-Oct. 1, 2019) — In response to enhancements announced by Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) Commissioner Nikki Fried, U.S. Sugar Senior Director for Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Judy Sanchez released the following statement: “We applaud Commissioner Nikki Fried, her staff and the Florida Forest Service for their thoughtful review of the state’s open …
Commissioner Nikki Fried Issues Emergency Orders & Actions for Hurricane Dorian
Tallahassee, FL (FDACS) — Ahead of Hurricane Dorian’s expected impact to Florida,Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried has issued a series of emergency orders and actions to provide critical assistance to Florida’s residents and industries. The emergency orders and actions include the following: Emergency Order 2019-003, which suspends portions of the Motor Fuel Marketing Act that prohibits fuel retailers from selling gasoline below the …
USDA Encourages Ag Producers, Residents to Prepare for Hurricane Dorian
WASHINGTON (USDA) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reminds communities, farmers and ranchers, families and small businesses in the path of Hurricane Dorian that USDA has programs that provide assistance in the wake of disasters. USDA staff in regional, state and county offices stand ready and are eager to help. In a continuing effort to serve the public, USDA partnered with …
US Sugar Prepares Crops and Property for Hurricane Dorian
(U.S. Sugar) — We have begun making storm preparations. While there is not a great deal Glades farmers can do to prepare our farms or crops for a hurricane, we have started lowering canal levels, securing buildings/equipment and keeping an eagle eye on weather reports. Our sugarcane is in its “grand growth” period, and we have cane in all stages …
Millions in Agricultural Crops at Risk as Dorian Approaches Florida
GAINESVILLE, FL (UF/IFAS) — If Hurricane Dorian makes landfall mid-way up Florida’s Atlantic Coast – as many models predicted Thursday afternoon – the storm could devastate not only Central Florida tourist destinations, but also the region’s agricultural areas, which include significant acreage devoted to citrus, vegetable, ornamental plant and cattle production. Economists and Extension faculty with the University of Florida …
U.S. Sugar Addresses Recently Amended Lawsuit Attacking Farming Communities
(U.S. Sugar) — “The amended complaint filed earlier by out of town trial lawyers is currently under review.” It appears attacks on our farming communities have widened to include the Glades and Hendry county communities of Moore Haven and Clewiston, where we have played a proud and prominent role since our founding in 1931. Our senior management, including our CEO …
Crop Insurance Deadline Nears in Florida
Oats, Potato, Sugarcane, and Wheat Growers Need to Make Insurance Decisions Soon Tallahassee, FL (FDACS) – The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Risk Management Agency (USDA RMA) reminds Florida oats, potato, sugarcane, and wheat growers that September 30 is the final date to apply for crop insurance coverage for the 2020 …
Glades Sugarcane Farmers Continue Water Quality Success
Recently, the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) announced that once again, sugarcane and vegetable farmers in the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) surpassed annual phosphorus reduction targets by reducing phosphorus 44 percent – bringing the average annual reduction to 56 percent since the program began in 1996. “Good news on water gets lost in the shuffle, but sugarcane farmers continue …