This week’s Commissioner’s Spotlight from Florida Agriculture Commissioner Charles Bronson is about new yellow signs that will indicate areas along highways near where authorized controlled burning is taking place. More information is available online by clicking on “Prescribed Burn” Signs; or view a brochure on the web site of the Florida Division of Florida about what to do if you …
Citrus Expo Begins Setup for This Week’s Event
These reports each preview some features that commercial citrus growers and industry leaders can expect at this week’s Citrus Expo at Lee Civic Center in Ft Myers. Among other things, the two day event on Wednesday and Thursday will offer 8.5 CEU credits for citrus growers attending the seminars and about the same number of CCA credits for Certified Crop …
FL Citrus Organizations Collectively Provide Shipping Rule Comments
In these two reports, AgNet’s Ernie Neff provides an overview of public comments made to USDA this week from Florida citrus organizations about the fresh citrus shipping rule changes recently proposed. The public comment period remains open until the end of this month. By the way, USDA/APHIS officials will be on hand at Citrus Expo Auguest 19th and 20th to …
FL Commissioner’s Spotlight on SART
This week’s Commissioner’s Spotlight from Florida Agriculture Commissioner Charles Bronson is about the State Agricultural Response Team (SART), a group of government agencies, private groups and individuals working together to plan for and respond to animal and agricultural related disasters. To view a flash video about the program, click on SART. To visit the Florida SART web site, click on …
Laurel Wilt Disease Confirmed on Homestead Avocado Sample
TALLAHASSEE – (FDACS)- Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles H. Bronson has announced the confirmation of laurel wilt disease in an avocado sample from Homestead. This find represents the first laurel wilt confirmation in a commercial avocado-growing area. “This find is alarming for the avocado industry,” Bronson said. “Since laurel wilt disease was first found in North Florida, the …
Citrus Health Response Program Update on Abandoned Groves
The Citrus Health Response Program published an update about the Abandoned Grove Initiative this week. It states that recognizing the pest and disease risks associated with abandoned citrus groves, the state has initiated a comprehensive plan for their removal and destruction. This initiative will help mitigate the impact of exotic citrus pests and diseases (namely citrus greening and citrus canker) …
Groundbreaking New Regulations for Honey
TALLAHASSEE – Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles H. Bronson has announced that his department has instituted the first regulation in the nation – and perhaps the world – prohibiting any additives, chemicals or adulterants in honey produced, processed or sold in Florida. The regulation, which took effect July 14, provides the first ever “Standard of Identity” for honey. …
FL Attorney General Speaks to Cattlemen
Florida’s Attorney General Bill McCollum has been in Marco Island this week talking with producers attending the annual Florida Cattlemen’s Assocation Convention. I had a chance to catch up with McCollum who discussed his thoughts about agriculture and how issues that come up through his office affect those in the rural areas of the state. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board …
Vilsack on Farm Bill Implementation Process
Southeast AgNet recently had the opportunity to interview Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack regarding the progress of the 2008 Farm Bill Implementation process. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Builds Relationships Between Researchers and Cattle ProducersMarch 13, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Helps to Support Forage Development and Management PracticesMarch 6, 2026CIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsMarch 1, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Offers Targeted …
Animal ID a Contentious Issue
Listening sessions have been taking place at various points across the country on the National Animal Identification System, as one of those sessions took place yesterday in Birmingham, Alabama. In a phone interview, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack told Southeast AgNet that this is an extremely important effort that USDA has undertaken. For those not able to attend the listening session, …