Growers are invited to attend the 2019 Florida Ag Expo, which will be held Thursday, Nov. 21, at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Gulf Coast Research and Education Center (GCREC) in Wimauma. This will be the best year yet for the event, as AgNet Media is partnering with UF/IFAS to provide growers with the latest research information. Not …
Things You Shouldn’t Throw into the Compost Bin
Composting is critical to your soil health, and gardening. Cathy Isom has a list of some things you shouldn’t throw into the compost bin. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Composting is a crucial part of having an organic garden, and it’s a smart way to decrease your carbon footprint. You can technically compost almost anything that was …
Research Efforts Discussed at Extension Farm Field Day
The University of Florida’s West Florida Research and Education Center (WFREC) held its annual Extension Farm Field Day last week at the research farm near Jay, Florida. At the various stops, growers learned more about research efforts in cotton, peanuts and other row crops. One attendee was Jerry Fankhauser, assistant director of the Florida Agricultural Experiment Station, the research arm of …
Florida Water Officials to Address Farmers at Expo
Water issues will join hemp and labor topics during discussions this Wednesday at the combined Citrus Expo and Vegetable & Specialty Crop Expo. The two day event, August 14-15, will be held at the Lee Civic Center in North Fort Myers. Following the 9:00 a.m. keynote presentation on hemp rule updates by Holly Bell, director of cannabis for the Florida Department …
VSC Expo Seminar Schedule Now Available
Growers seeking the latest information and research to help make them successful need look no further than the 2019 Vegetable and Specialty Crop Expo (VSC Expo) seminar program. Presented by experts from the University of Florida and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the VSC Expo seminars will explore the best production practices and upcoming threats and trends facing the industry. …
New Florida Laws Take Effect
Florida’s record $90.98 billion spending plan for next fiscal year and more than 100 new laws officially hits the books July 1, 2019. According to the News Service of Florida, the new laws passed by the Legislature this spring and signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, deal with a variety of issues. Items of interest to agriculture in the state include: …
USDA Farm Bill Implementation Progress Update
Washington, D.C., – (USDA) — U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced an update on the implementation status of the 2018 Farm Bill. President Trump signed this Farm Bill into law on December 20, 2018, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) promptly began implementing key programs. In addition, USDA held several listening sessions with stakeholders and the public specific to …
USDA Opens Signup for Feral Swine Eradication and Control Pilot Program Grants
(USDA/NRCS) The Feral Swine Eradication and Control Pilot Program (FSCP) was established by the 2018 Farm Bill to respond to the threat feral swine pose to agriculture, native ecosystems, and human and animal health. USDA is focusing efforts through this pilot where feral swine pose the highest threat. Program at a Glance FSCP is implemented jointly by NRCS and USDA’s Animal and Plant …
Commissioner Fried Statement to Congress on Cannabis Industry & Small Businesses
Tallahassee, Fla. (FDACS) – The U.S. House Committee on Small Business held a hearing on opportunities for small businesses within the cannabis industry. Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried submitted a statement to committee chairwoman U.S. Rep. Nydia Velázquez for entry into the Congressional Record. Below is the statement in full, which can also be viewed on Twitter. Statement of the Honorable Nicole “Nikki” FriedU.S. House Committee …
Commissioner Nikki Fried Continues Israel Trade Mission-Day 4
Today (May 26, 2019) marked the fourth day of Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried’s first trade mission to Israel. Fried has spent 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. Among other events, Commissioner Fried met today with Agriculture Minister Uri …