One of the bigger issues still looming over citrus and vegetable industries is the availability of sufficient farm labor when farmers need it the most. Regardless of what Congress may or may not do about immigration laws, H2A programs will continue to allow farmers to access foreign labor. Although the program is complex, H2A-USA is a company set up to …
Clearing Up H2A Ag Labor Program Confusion
An expert in H2A Labor access for agricultural producers says lots of farmers are confused about how H2A workers CAN in fact work in the same fields as traditional workers without equal pay requirements. Mike Nobles is President and CEO of H2A-USA, a firm that cuts through the confusion of H2A rules to help farmers get the labor they need, …
Popular FL Congressman With Strong Caution on Farm Bill Draft
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 …
Some Growers Asked for Disaster Dollar Refunds
In this report, according to news reports coming out this week, up to 1,500 producers of citrus, vegetables and nursery crops in Florida are being asked to prove they have crop insurance or refund disaster money provided following hurricanes of recent years. Also in part two of this report, Florida Citrus Production Advisory Council leader Peter McClure says while things …
FL Commissioner’s Spotlight
Florida Agriculture Commissioner Charles Bronson talks about new food safety regulations for tomato growers. More information about the new food safety regulations for Florida tomato growers can be found on the web at http://www.doacs.state.fl.us/press/2007/05252007.html. Report (1:00 mp3)
FL Congressman Tim Mahoney: Farm Bill Draft Good for Florida
In this interview with Southeast AgNet Friday morning at the Farm to Fuel meeting in St. Pete, South Florida Congressman Tim Mahoney explains why the Farm Bill draft just passed by the U S House Ag Committee is good for Florida agriculture. Report (4:00 mp3)
Farm Bill Progress for SPECIALTY CROPS!
A news report out of a California newspaper this week says California Congresswoman and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi has a deal with the House Agriculture Committee in Farm Bill negotiations that will provide more than $1.5 Billion dollars over five years for the state’s specialty crops, including research dollars, more access to fruits and veggies for school lunches, …
Futurist Lowell Catlett WOWS FL Fert & Ag Chem Mtg
Florida Fertilizer and AgriChemical Association celebrated its 75th anniversary this week at the annual summer meeting in Naples. A real treat on the program was to hear popular futurist and professor of ag economics at New Mexico State University, Dr Lowell Catlett. Hear some interesting comments in these reports. And remember citrus growers, to pre-register for Citrus Expo to be …
FL Fruit Fly Find, Brazilian Crop #’s and More Citrus Headlines
Several headline tidbits for Florida citrus and specialty crop growers in the two reports below, including basic facts available about a fruit fly find in the Tampa Bay area this week, and citrus crop expectations being reported out of Brazil as growers in South America begin their harvest season. Report (2:00 mp3) Report (2:00 mp3)
Int’l Symposium in Orlando To Address Precision Ag
University of Florida’s Citrus Research and Education Center in Lake Alfred will host an International Symposium on Applications for Precision Agriculture in Fruits and Vegetables next January 6-9 in Orlando. Hear more details in this report, and find lots more about the program at this link (pdf file) Report (2:00 mp3)