Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam announced that estimated agricultural damages due to Hurricane Michael total nearly $1.5 billion, with the timber industry bearing the brunt of the devastation at $1.3 billion in economic losses. “Hurricane Michael devastated the Florida Panhandle, and many of Florida’s rural communities, which rely heavily on agriculture, took the worst hit. As we continue …
Hurricane-Ravaged Florida Farmers Wonder Who’s Listening
While much of mainstream news seems to be stuck on mid-term campaign coverage or arguing about whether words matter, thousands of rural farm families severely impacted by Hurricane Michael and other recent storms are starting to wonder if their words are even being clearly heard. Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam hosted an agricultural listening session late Tuesday afternoon in Blountstown …
FDACS Delivers Thousands of Pounds of Food to Hurricane Florence Victims
Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam announced that the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) has delivered thousands of servings of food to Hurricane Florence victims in North Carolina. The department coordinated with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to ready and deliver USDA Foods to disaster relief sites and shelters. USDA Foods include a variety of canned, fresh, …
Putnam Names Dr. Ann Blount the 2018 Woman of the Year in Agriculture
Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam announced that Dr. Ann Blount has been named the 2018 Woman of the Year in Agriculture. Dr. Blount has dedicated her career to researching and implementing innovative techniques to improve fall forage production in Florida’s southern coastal areas. The award, now in its 34th year, recognizes women who have made outstanding contributions to Florida …
Commissioner Adam Putnam’s Department Assists With Hurricane Florence Preparation and Response Efforts
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam announced that the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is preparing to support Hurricane Florence evacuees and assist with response efforts. “Last year, our neighbors selflessly supported our response efforts in the wake of Hurricane Irma, and now it’s our turn to assist others. Hurricane Florence is a serious storm, and we …
Florida Successfully Combating Destructive, Disease-Carrying Giant African Land Snail
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam announced that more than 168,000 giant African land snails (GALS) have been eliminated in Florida since the invasive snail was discovered in Miami-Dade County in 2011. In addition to threatening more than 500 varieties of plants and agricultural commodities, GALS consume plaster and stucco to get the calcium needed to grow their shells. The …
Putnam Announces Winners of 2018 Agricultural-Environmental Leadership Award
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam announced the recipients of the Commissioner’s Agricultural-Environmental Leadership Award, which recognizes the environmentally innovative farming techniques of Florida’s farmers and ranchers. This year’s recipients are: Jim Strickland of Blackbeards’ Ranch in Manatee County, Chuck Allison of Wild Goose Farms in Umatilla, and James Shinn of Shinn Groves/ Tree O’Groves in Lake Alfred. Florida’s …
Putnam Seeks Nominations for 2018 Woman of the Year in Agriculture
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam is now accepting nominations for the 2018 “Woman of the Year in Agriculture” award, which recognizes women in all areas of the industry who have made outstanding contributions to Florida agriculture. The deadline for submitting nominations is July 31, 2018. Nominations may be submitted electronically by accessing the application located on the Woman …
FDACS Begins Efforts to Eradicate Oriental Fruit Fly
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) has positively identified the presence of three Oriental fruit flies, Bactrocera dorsalis, in south Miami-Dade County. The initial fly was discovered during routine trapping, and additional flies were discovered during expanded trapping activities. The department, along with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, monitors more than 56,000 fruit fly traps statewide as an …
Florida Commissioner’s Spotlight: 2017 Woman of the Year
On this week’s Commissioner’s Spotlight, learn about the 2017 Woman of the Year in Agriculture, Dr. Martha Roberts. 2017 Woman of the Year You can follow Florida Commissioner Adam Putnam on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Discover more by visiting FreshFromFlorida.com. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsNovember 1, 2024Nuseed Carinata Covers New GroundOctober 1, 2024TriEst Ag Group: Partners in ProfitabilityApril 1, 2024