Eighteen outstanding students were honored for channeling “200 Years of Alabama Agriculture” into posters, essays and videos during the Alabama Farm-City Awards Luncheon April 4 in Birmingham. The theme connected kindergarten-12th graders with Alabama’s storied farming heritage during the state’s bicentennial year, said Alabama Farm-City Committee Chairman Jeff Helms. “From settlers who cleared land by hand to modern farmers using …
FFB ‘Taste of Florida Agriculture’ Event Engages Lawmakers
Farm Bureau (FFB) members again hosted state lawmakers for food and festivities during the opening week of the legislative session, during their annual Farm Bureau Days event Wednesday at the state Capitol. Farm Bureau organizes this function and involves many of the state’s other commodity groups and related businesses, as a way to help educate lawmakers about the depth and …
USDA Provides Funding to Florida to Support Projects that Protect Agriculture and Natural Resources
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is allocating $7.2 million to Florida as part of its effort to strengthen the nation’s infrastructure for pest detection and surveillance, identification, and threat mitigation, and to safeguard the U.S. nursery production system. Overall, USDA is providing $66 million in funding this year to support 407 projects in 49 states, Guam, Puerto Rico, and …
Bills of Interest to Agriculture in Georgia Legislature
Week six of the 2019 session for the Georgia General Assembly is underway. Georgia Agribusiness CouncilPresident Will Bentley says the pace has picked up, and he has seen a lot of bills of interest to agriculture. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Allows Viable Research in the Cattle IndustryFebruary 6, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Track Record Well Received By LegislatorsJanuary 30, 2026Florida …
Farm Bureau Gives Agricultural Trade Outlook for 2019
American Farm Bureau Federation policy experts gave an overview of the issues expected to affect farmers and ranchers in 2019 in a workshop at the organization’s 100th Annual Convention. David Salmonsen, senior director of congressional relations for AFBF, said the diverse impacts of tariffs, the outcomes of free trade agreement negotiations and the future of relations with China are all …
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 …
A Preview of Upcoming U.S. Trade Negotiations
In a story from Rod Bain, our nation’s Chief Ag Negotiator looks at why new trade deals with Japan, the European Union, and United Kingdom are needed, and what might be expected in upcoming talks. A Preview of Upcoming U.S. Trade Negotiations Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Allows Viable Research in the Cattle IndustryFebruary 6, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Track …
USDA-NASS Announces 2017 Census of Agriculture Response Rate, Data Release Details
United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) concluded data collection for the 2017 Census of Agriculture with a 71.5 percent national response rate. The Census, conducted once every five years, was mailed to more than 3 million known and potential farms and ranches across the United States late last year. Data collection ended this July. Puerto …
Pate to Serve as Next Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture
During Tuesday’s runoff elections in Alabama, Rick Pate defeated Gerald Dial by garnering 57% of the vote. Thus Pate, who does not have a general election opponent, has actually been elected to serve as the next Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries in Alabama. In a recent phone interview with Southeast AgNet, Pate talked about the lack of funding the department has seen the …
Water Policy Key for Next Agriculture Commissioner
Maintaining Florida’s water supply, while balancing the growing needs of residents, farmers, tourists and businesses, is a priority for the candidates seeking to replace Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam. The issue involves helping preserve diverse ecosystems, such as the Everglades and natural springs, without scuttling the economy. Candidates for agriculture commissioner are putting forward a variety of ideas, from continuing …