Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett announced the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has launched a new toolkit to help support the deployment of high-speed broadband e-Connectivity in rural communities. “High-speed broadband e-Connectivity is becoming more and more essential to doing business, delivering health care, and, for schoolchildren, doing homework in rural communities,” Hazlett said. “This …
Glades Residents, Businesses, Rise Up Against Water Issues Misinformation
by Gary Cooper With reference to the growing brouhaha, and continuing conflicting and heated rhetoric and misinformation swirling about south Florida algae and other related Lake Okeechobee water issues, the following letter was sent today to Congressman Brian Mast (R-FL 18th District). Mast has been extremely vocal and incendiary in his rhetoric and stated opinions on these issues, and is …
Remarks by Commissioner Nikki Fried at 2019 Florida Associated Press Day
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 …
Land and Water Money Considered in Storm Recovery
Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried indicated Monday she could back a legislative proposal to use money voters designated for land and water projects to help recovery efforts from Hurricane Michael. After reviewing agricultural damages Monday, Fried said at Chipola College in Marianna that her office was looking into a proposal (SB 376) by Sen. Bill Montford, D-Tallahassee, that would designate at …
Florida Legislators Discuss Ag Issues
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 …
USDA Seeking Public Input on Wetland Determination Guidance
Public comment period for wetland conservation compliance rule open through February 5 Farmers are reminded that updated guidelines for wetland determinations are posted and available for public input. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) wants to remind the public that the 60-day comment period for the updated guidance is open through February 5. This opportunity to comment is not impacted …
Next Steps Eyed in Fight Against Water Woes
Local governments have spent $17.3 million the state provided to combat outbreaks of red tide and toxic blue-green algae, which have caused massive fish kills and fouled waters in coastal areas for more than a year. And as red tide lingers in some Southwest Florida areas, and just $1.7 million of $19 million in state funding remains unspent by the …
USDA to Reopen FSA Offices for Additional Services During Government Shutdown
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced that all Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices nationwide will soon reopen to provide additional administrative services to farmers and ranchers during the lapse in federal funding. Certain FSA offices have been providing limited services for existing loans and tax documents since Jan. 17, and will continue to do so through Jan. 23. Beginning Jan. 24, …
Georgia Peanut Farm Show provides a day of education
More than 1,200 attendees were able to fine-tune their farming operations with information gained at the 43rd annual Georgia Peanut Farm Show and Conference on Jan. 17, 2019, at the University of Georgia Tifton Campus Conference Center in Tifton, Georgia. The show is sponsored by the Georgia Peanut Commission. The one-day show offered farmers a chance to view the products …
Farmers and Ranchers Digest Information on Alternative Protein Sources
Whether it is called fake meat or clean meat, products containing alternative sources of protein have been appearing in supermarkets and restaurants around the country, and are competing with traditionally raised animal agriculture products. Farmers and ranchers at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 100th Annual Convention engaged with experts on what alternative sources of protein are, who backs them and …