Florida Farm Bill

One Million Followers for Fresh From Florida

Dan Florida, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS)

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) announced their Fresh From Florida program has hit the 1 million mark of consumers who follow Fresh From Florida on social media, signed up for the Fresh From Florida newsletter, and joined the Fresh From Florida Club. Since January 2023, online followers have grown from just over 500,000 to over 1 million, a 90% increase …

Mexico’s New President Vows Commitment to USMCA

Dan Agri-Business, This Land of Ours, Trade

Mexico’s new president vows commitment to the USMCA. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Mexico has a new president, and that could have implications for U.S. farm trade with our number one foreign market. Claudia Sheinbaum became the first woman and first Jewish person elected president of predominantly Catholic and patriarchal Mexico. But American Farm Bureau senior director …

farms

USDA Seeking Producer Feedback on 2024 Southeast Crops

Dan USDA-NASS

Over the next few weeks, the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will conduct two major mid-year surveys, the June Agricultural Survey, and the June Area Survey. NASS will contact nearly 5,900 producers across Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina to determine crop acreage and stock levels as of June 1, 2024. “The June Agricultural Survey and the June Area Survey are two …

Census of Agriculture

Rep. Mann to NASS: “We Rely on this Data”

Dan Agri-Business, USDA-NASS

A group of lawmakers is putting some weight on the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) in response to NASS cutting off some important reports. NASS cited budget restraints when it announced recently that it would stop producing several reports, including the July Cattle Report, the Cotton Objective Yield Survey, and County Estimates for Crops and Livestock reports. U.S. Representative …

Alabama

Alabama Heirs Property Alliance Helping Educate Residents, Farming Families About Key Issue

Dan Agri-Business, Alabama

(AUBURN UNIVERSITY, AL/May 8, 2024) — Heirs property is common in Alabama. There is land in every county that is classified as heirs property, also known as family land. Whether families are attempting to develop or sell the land left by previous generations, the lack of a clear title makes it difficult for families to move forward. Adam Rabinowitz, an …

nasa

NASA and Ag a Natural Fit

Dan Agri-Business, This Land of Ours

How NASA and ag have worked together for decades. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration, more commonly known as NASA, made an appearance at the 2024 Washington Watch event in D.C. Brad Doorn, PhD, is the agricultural lead with NASA. He says the two fit together naturally. “NASA has been involved in …

California Card Check Law Moving to Other States

Dan Agri-Business, Labor and Immigration

Experts say a California farm labor union law is moving into areas like Michigan and New York and could soon be in other states. It’s called the California Ag Labor Relations Voting Choice Act or Card Check for short. Director of Labor Affairs for the California Farm Bureau, Bryan Little says California’s Card Check program allows labor unions to petition …

House and Senate Ag Leaders Release Farm Bill Versions

Sabrina Halvorson General

Ag leaders in both the House and Senate release their versions of the farm bill. Our Sabrina Halvorson was in Washington D.C. for the announcements. House and Senate ag leaders each released their plans, Wednesday, for the farm bill. During a special forum with Farm Broadcasters, House Committee on Agriculture Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson (PA-15), said he plans to mark-up …

USDA Seeks to Reduce Chicken-Related Salmonella Outbreaks

Dan Poultry, This Land of Ours

(USDA/WASHINGTON D.C./ April 26, 2024) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced its final determination to declare Salmonella an adulterant in raw breaded stuffed chicken products when they exceed a specific threshold (1 colony forming unit (CFU) per gram or higher) for Salmonella contamination. This final determination is part of FSIS’ broader efforts to reduce Salmonella illnesses associated with the …

Growing Matters: BeSure! Campaign on Keeping Pollinators Safe

Sabrina Halvorson Environment, General, Pollinators, Pollinators

The BeSure! campaign from the Growing Matters Coalition helps growers protect bees and other wildlife. To learn more about pesticide safety for pollinators, we’re talking with Todd Hanson, Bayer Product Manager for corn seed treatments. About Growing Matters BeSure! Growing Matters is a coalition of organizations and individuals committed to scientific discourse on the stewardship, benefits and alternatives of neonicotinoid insecticides in North America. …