commissioner

Commissioner Nikki Fried Addresses Florida Congressional Delegation in Washington

Dan Economy, Florida, Industry News Release

Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried appeared before Members of Congress from Florida to discuss key issues facing the agriculture industry. At the invitation of delegation co-chairs U.S. Rep. Alcee L. Hastings and U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, Fried spoke on a panel alongside industry group leaders from the Florida Farm Bureau Federation, the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association, and the Florida Forestry Association. Commissioner Fried raised …

hemp rules

CBD Oil Still Unlawful as a Food Additive in Georgia

Dan Georgia, Hemp, Industry News Release

Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary W. Black reminds Georgians that while the signing into law of HB213 allows for the sale of hemp and hemp products, inclusion of cannabidiol oil (CBD) into a food or dietary supplement is still unlawful according to the Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations. “The passing and signage of the industrial hemp bill is the …

cover crops

Cover Crops That Take the Heat

Dan Field Crops, USDA-NRCS

USDA’s Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) Plant Materials Centers (PMCs) in the Southeast are gathering data on different types of cover crops that landowners can use during the summer months. Many of us may think of cover crops as being planted after a cash crop is harvested in the fall. But there are some cash crops harvested in the spring, …

farm bill

USDA Update on Farm Bill Implementation Progress

Dan Farm Bill, Industry News Release, Legislative

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced the implementation status of the 2018 Farm Bill. President Trump signed this Farm Bill into law on December 20th, 2018 and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) promptly began implementation of key programs. USDA held several listening sessions with stakeholders and the public, specific to each agency’s respective mission areas. “At USDA we …

commissioner

Commissioner Nikki Fried Appoints Holly Bell as Director of Cannabis

Dan Florida, Industry News Release, Specialty Crops

Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried announced her appointment of Holly Bell as the Director of Cannabis. Bell’s selection comes after a national search and interviews with multiple finalists for the position. In her role as Director of Cannabis, Bell will oversee the development of rules, work directly with scientific experts, and ensure Commissioner Fried’s vision for cannabis in Florida continues moving forward and now sells more and …

hemp

New Crops Proposed After Michael Devastation

Dan Florida, Industry News Release, Specialty Crops

Hemp and hops are being promoted among alternatives for crops wiped out by Hurricane Michael in the eastern Panhandle. Glen Aiken, director of the University of Florida’s North Florida Research and Education Center, said Monday the need for alternatives has grown as farmers in an eight-county region suffered most of the estimated $1.5 billion hit to the state’s agriculture industry …

fried

Remarks by Commissioner Nikki Fried at 2019 Florida Associated Press Day

Dan Florida, Industry News Release

Good afternoon, I’m Nikki Fried- I’m here today proudly serving as the first woman elected as Florida’s Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services. I want to thank all of you for your public service to our state and nation as journalists. Our democracy relies upon a free and strong press. And I want to give a special thank you to …

Florida Legislators Discuss Ag Issues

Randall Weiseman Florida, Legislative

By Gary Cooper Red tide, blue-green algae, hemp and hurricanes were among the items discussed in recent days during legislative committee meetings in Tallahassee, Florida. Lawmakers and state officials are getting down to business and looking forward to the start of the legislative session in early March. Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried on Tuesday gave senate agriculture committee members a status …

nikki fried

Fried Honored to Serve Florida Agriculture

Dan Florida, Industry News Release

Florida Commissioner of Agriculture makes the following statement to Florida agriculture producers, consumers and families. I’m so honored to serve as your 12th Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services! It’s been an exciting first two weeks as we start working to implement our bold agenda and fresh vision for Florida’s farmers, consumers, and families.  We’re working with our agriculture community to keep our second …

nikki fried

The News Service Has: Five Questions for Nikki Fried

Dan Florida, Industry News Release

Nikki Fried was sworn in last week as state agriculture commissioner, becoming the first woman elected to run the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. She also is the only Democrat holding statewide office and the first Democrat on the state Cabinet in eight years. Fried is an attorney from Fort Lauderdale who was a student-body president at the …