USDA is on a mission to explain the details of country of origin labeling to the producers, packers, wholesalers and retailers who now need to make it happen in the stores according to Lloyd Day, Administrator of USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service. Listen to report here:
FFVA Awards
Various awards were presented at last week’s Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association annual meeting. Legislator of the Year awards were given to Florida State Sen. Carey Baker, R-Eustis, and Rep. Denise Grimsley, R-Sebring. FFVA’s Researcher of the Year Award went to Ronald P. Muraro, a professor and extension farm management economist at the University of Florida Institute of Food and …
Farmers Markets Grants
USDA has awarded 85 grants totaling almost $3.5 million directed by the new farm bill to help farmers markets nationwide, including $75,000 for the State of Alabama Farmers Market Authority; $60,000 for the Florida Associtation of Community Farmers Markets; and two separate grants in Georgia for the Sparta/Hancock Produce Growers Cooperative and Common Ground Athens. Read details here. Listen to …
USDA to Purchase Fresh Tomatoes
USDA is purchasing up to 3.6 million pounds of fresh tomatoes with currently available Farm Bill funds. The tomatoes will be donated to child nutrition and other domestic food assistance programs. Listen to report here:
Growers Urged to Comment on Soil Fumigant Regs
The Florida Farm Bureau Federation is urging Florida growers to submit comments to the Environmental Protection Agency requesting the agency reevaluate its proposed Reregistration Eligibility Decisions for several important soil fumigants. The EPA has extended the comment period through Oct. 30. FFBF Agricultural Policy Division assistant director Joshua Craft talks about why this is so important and how growers can …
Lessons Learned from Salmonella Outbreak
Now that the salmonella stpaul outbreak has been officially declared over, officials are evaluating what steps can be taken to avoid a repeat in the future.
Irradiation Approved for Lettuce and Spinach
With continued food safety concerns focused on fresh produce, the Food and Drug Administration is now permitting growers and importers to irradiate spinach and iceberg lettuce.
Soil Fumigant Comment Deadline Extended
In response to requests from groups representing manufacturers and users of soil fumigants, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is extending the public comment period for reregistration of soil fumigant pesticides including methyl bromide. EPA had opened a 60-day public comment period in July but it has now been extended for an additional 45 days, closing on October 30. EPA is …
Fresh Produce in Schools
The 2008 Farm bill is providing $49 million in fresh fruits and vegetables for elementary school children during the school day under the new Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program – with over 1.6 million allocated for Florida schools.
Supplemental Ag Disaster Programs included in Farm Bill
This information from the FL Dept of Agriculture: With T.S. Fay making its way through the state, wanted to make sure everyone is aware that under the new Supplemental Agriculture Disaster Programs included in the 2008 Farm Bill, producers must have crop insurance or non-insured crop disaster assistance (NAP) coverage for the land for which assistance is being requested, and …