Fifty FFA chapters have received Microsoft FarmBeats Student Kits as part of a collaboration between the National FFA Organization and Microsoft Corp. For the FFA Blue 365 Challenge, chapters were asked to apply for the FarmBeats Kits by sharing how they would utilize the kits. “The FFA Blue 365 Challenge and the use of the Microsoft FarmBeats Student Kits are …
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 …
Consider Natural Irrigation for your Garden
Cathy Isom fills you in about why you should consider using natural irrigation for your garden. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. When it comes to irrigating your garden, you don’t necessarily need a series of hoses, sprinklers or municipal water on demand. There is a way to create an efficient and effective naturally-irrigated garden by using what …
Commissioner Nikki Fried Inaugurated as 12th Florida Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Commissioner lays out a fresh agenda that will keep Florida growing Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried was inaugurated as Florida’s 12th Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services. As Commissioner, she will oversee a $1.8 billion department with nearly 4,000 employees, a $137 billion economic impact, and widespread responsibility for Florida’s food production and safety, consumer protection and licensing, and our state’s …
U.S. Farm Equipment Sales Rises in September
The Association of Equipment Manufacturers monthly “Flash Report” says U.S. sales of all tractors back in September were up two percent compared to the same time frame in 2017. For the first nine months in 2018, a total of 181,515 tractors were sold, which compares to 168,651 sold through the first nine months of 2017. That represents an eight percent …
Winner Announced in Bama’s Best Beef Contest
A winner has been announced in the third annual Bama’s Best Beef Contest. Kayla Greer, Alabama Cattlemen’s Association director of social media and communications, tells who it is. Winner Announced in Bama’s Best Beef Contest Pelham Restaurant Home to Bama’s Best Beef The filet kabobs dish from Smiley Brothers Specialty Foods of Pelham has been named Bama’s Best Beef in a contest sponsored by …
Farmers, Back-to-School Shoppers to Get Tax Breaks
A tax package that provides relief for farmers and property owners impacted by Hurricane Irma, while offering sales-tax breaks at the start of the school year and hurricane season, was approved by the House and Senate in a rare Sunday conclusion to the legislative session. Gov. Rick Scott’s office didn’t indicate Sunday if he would sign the package, which totals …
Farm Disaster Relief on the Way After Irma’s Devastation
State lawmakers continue to craft tax relief for Florida’s storm-battered citrus industry, as President Donald Trump signed off Friday on billions of dollars in much-anticipated federal disaster relief. A spending bill approved by Congress and Trump includes nearly $90 billion for disaster relief, with $2.36 billion aimed at assisting the agriculture industry for losses from Hurricane Irma in Florida, Hurricane …
House Eyes Tax Help for Agriculture Industry
Florida’s Hurricane Irma-battered agriculture industry, growing anxious as it awaits federal disaster relief, could land some help from the state House as part of a tax-cut package. The House Ways & Means Committee, which is putting together a package, reviewed three measures Wednesday intended to help the industry, which sustained an estimated $2.5 billion in damages from the deadly September …
National FFA Announces 2017 National Agricultural Proficiency Winners
Winners of the 2017 National Agricultural Proficiency Awards were announced during the sixth general session at the 90th National FFA Convention & Expo. Awards were given in 47 categories. Agricultural Communications—Entrepreneurship/Placement Kolt Buchenroth—Ohio Kolt Buchenroth of the Kenton-OHP FFA Chapter in Ohio began his career in agricultural communications when he was offered a job at WKTN Radio as the agriculture …