(Tallahassee, FL/Sept. 20, 2021-FDACS) — Last week, Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) submitted the department’s Legislative Budget Request (LBR) for Fiscal Year 2022-2023. “Despite the challenges of operating through a continuing pandemic, our core mission remains the same: to safeguard the public and support Florida agriculture. Our budget priorities are solutions-oriented and critical not only to our …
Vermicomposting Bin Can Be Good for Your Garden
How a vermicomposting bin can be good for your garden. That’s coming up on this Land of Ours. Worm farms, also known as vermicomposting bins, are a great way for you to make nutrient-rich compost that can be used in your garden. You can maintain a vermicomposting bin in a space as small as the cupboard under your kitchen sink! Like …
ICYMI: Commissioner Nikki Fried Announces FDACS Clean Water Initiative
(Tallahassee, Fla./August 6, 2021) — Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried held a series of events across Florida announcing the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) Office of Agricultural Water Policy Clean Water Initiative, updating and strengthening the Department’s water policies to better protect the state’s natural resources. At stops in Fort Myers, Sarasota, Tampa, St. Pete, and Stuart, Commissioner Fried met with scientists, environmental advocates, and local elected officials to roll …
Drones, Money Pitched to Bolster Red Tide Efforts
(NSF, August, 4, 2021/TALLAHASSEE) — Drones could be used to monitor red tide, and money should be set aside to offset local costs of removing fish killed by toxic algae blooms, state wildlife officials said Wednesday as they look to manage future outbreaks. Members of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said more-proactive measures are needed because red tide …
DeSantis, Fried Offer Different Takes on Red Tide
(NSF, August 3, 2021/TALLAHASSEE) — Gov. Ron DeSantis and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Nikki Fried made appearances Tuesday along the Gulf Coast, offering competing views about an ongoing toxic red-tide outbreak. Fried, the state agriculture commissioner, reiterated a call for DeSantis to declare a state of emergency to help combat the outbreak that has caused at least 600 tons of dead …
Fried Looks to Update Water Rules
(NSF/August 2, 2021) — Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, who is running to be the Democratic gubernatorial candidate, began a series of appearances Monday to highlight water-related problems including algae blooms and a spike in manatee deaths. Fried said the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Office of Agricultural Water Policy is moving forward with updating “best management practice” rules …
Beef for Generations
Evelyn Greene, president of the American National Cattlewomen’s Association (ANCW) and her husband, Dr. Wayne Greene, head of the Department of Animal Sciences at Auburn University’s College of Agriculture, have penned an article titled “Beef for Generations”. It’s about the negative effects of a growing campaign to take beef (and meat in general) off the table. They say the nation …
Citrus Juice Proven to Aid Immune System
A new research review, published in Frontiers in Immunology, has found that a glass of citrus juice contains key nutrients and bioactive substances that help human immune systems work efficiently. Scientists examined evidence from nearly 200 different studies and reports. They concluded that vitamin C, folate and polyphenol compounds in citrus juice can impact immune health, fight inflammation and improve …
OJ Consumption Aids Children’s Health
Moderate consumption of 100% orange juice (OJ) should be encouraged in children due to its multiple health benefits and lack of negative impacts on body weight, numerous studies indicate. The studies have revealed that children who regularly drink 100% orange juice have higher intakes of key nutrients, higher quality diets, and may have healthier lifestyle habits than children who do …
How to Care and Plant a Sweet Treat, Sugar Cane
How to care and plant a sweet treat. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Sugar Cane is the number one commercially harvested plant in the world. Growing in your home garden is not only possible, it’s also easy. Plus it makes a lovely ornamental, sort of like a mix between a giant grass and bamboo. You can grow this …