Today (Friday, May 24, 2019) marked day two of Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried’s first trade mission to Israel. Fried will spend several days meeting with government officials, agricultural research groups, and agriculture-related businesses before joining other Florida Cabinet members next week for a Cabinet meeting and business development meetings. Fried made this statement following yesterday’s trade mission kickoff: “I’m thrilled …
Facts of the Flow: Lake Okeechobee, 2019 Year-to-Date
Here is the latest update on inflows into Lake Okeechobee for the calendar year to date. There has been no back-pumping into Lake Okeechobee from the Everglades Agricultural Area this year. This data is provided by SFWMD’s DBHYDRO database. Source: SFWMD Sponsored ContentWhat Sets Provysol® Fungicide ApartJuly 8, 2025CIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2025Nuseed Carinata Covers New GroundOctober 1, 2024
Georgia Farmers Using Irrigator Pro
Across the country farmers are looking for innovative ways to conserve water while maintaining or boosting crop yields, and leading farmers are helping others manage water more efficiently. Flint River Soil and Water Conservation District members in Southwest Georgia have used a Conservation Innovation Grant (CIG) from USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Georgia to partner with other like-minded groups to advance …
Facts of the Flow: Lake Okeechobee, 2019 Year-to-Date
Here is the latest update on inflows into Lake Okeechobee for the calendar year to date. This data is provided by SFWMD’s DBHYDRO database. Source: SFWMD Sponsored ContentWhat Sets Provysol® Fungicide ApartJuly 8, 2025CIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2025Nuseed Carinata Covers New GroundOctober 1, 2024
South Florida Water Managers Debate BMPs, Discuss New Regulations
by Gary Cooper In this new atmosphere of starting over from scratch with South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) leadership, a growing number of people in agriculture are asking more often and more loudly, “What’s going on?” Agriculture appears to be under the microscope, some say more like under attack, as a fast-growing urban sector reacts to what they don’t …
Commissioner Nikki Fried Announces New Water Policy Director
Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried announced her appointment of Christopher Pettit as Director of Agricultural Water Policy for the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Speaking outside the South Florida Water Management District, Fried highlighted Pettit’s background in water resources management in Florida and beyond. A livestream of the press conference may be viewed here. “Addressing our state’s water issues was one of my …
Benefits of Irrigation from an IPM Perspective
Water management is one of the most critical issues in modern agriculture. Water resources have been critical to farmers since the advent of agriculture. Proper and timely irrigation is one of the first requirements of a sustainable integrated pest management (IPM) system. Mismanaged water in a vegetable garden or farm can lead to sick plants that makes them more vulnerable …
Is Florida Agriculture Under Attack by State Political Leaders?
by Gary Cooper As Florida lawmakers return home from a frustrating legislative session for Florida’s agriculture industry, the state’s farmers and ranchers wonder where they stand in a political environment that is much different than years past. Florida’s population continues to grow with about 1,000 new residents daily, with no end in sight. The negative environmental impacts from this historic …
Ten Big Issues from the 2019 Session
Florida lawmakers finished the 2019 legislative session Saturday by passing a budget for the upcoming year. During the two-month session, lawmakers considered hundreds of bills and made more than $90 billion in spending decisions. It also was the first session for Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis and began the two-year terms of Senate President Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton, and House Speaker Jose …
Alabama Extension Offers Insight on Center Pivot Irrigation Costs
Producers face difficult decisions day in and day out. Alabama Cooperative Extension System professionals have compiled information to help farmers consider all options when deciding whether to purchase and install irrigation equipment on the farm. Dr. Brittney Goodrich, an Alabama Extension economist, said irrigation can mitigate one of the largest risks in crop production. Center pivot irrigation investment and operating …