lettuce

Recalled Lettuce in E. coli Outbreak From California, Not Florida

Dan Industry News Release, Specialty Crops, Vegetables

(FDACS) — On Friday, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration announced that romaine lettuce associated with an outbreak of E. coli 0157:H7 is likely from the Salinas growing region of California. 40 illnesses have been reported across 16 states since September 24. Florida-grown lettuce is not implicated in this outbreak, and the FDA has indicated there are neither positive samples nor reported illnesses in …

industrial hemp license

Commissioner Nikki Fried on USDA Federal Hemp Program Rules

Dan Florida, Hemp, Industry News Release

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced its long-awaited Domestic Hemp Production Program rules, following the reclassification of hemp as an agricultural commodity in the 2018 federal Farm Bill. Agriculture Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried, who will oversee Florida’s state hemp program through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, offered the following statement: “The announcement by the USDA is welcome news …

crop insurance

Crop Insurance Deadlines Near in Florida

Dan Florida, Fruits, Industry News Release, Livestock, Pollinators, Specialty Crops

Avocado, Blueberry, and Pasture, Rangeland, Forage and Apiculture Producers Need to Make Insurance Decisions Soon The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Risk Management Agency (USDA RMA) are reminding Florida avocado, blueberry, pasture, rangeland, and forage (PRF) and apiculture producers that deadlines to apply for crop insurance coverage for the 2020 crop …

Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame

2020 Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame Honorees Announced

Dan Florida, General, Industry News Release

Tallahassee, FL (FDACS-Oct. 8, 2019) — Agriculture Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried and the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame Foundation announced the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame inductees for 2020. The induction ceremony will be held at the Florida State Fair’s Agricultural Hall of Fame Banquet on Feb. 11, 2020. “Agriculture touches the lives of every Floridian and plays a monumental role in our economy and culture. The …

Response to FDACS Open Burn Program Enhancements

Dan Florida, Industry News Release, Specialty Crops, Sugar

Clewiston, FL (U.S. Sugar-Oct. 1, 2019) — In response to enhancements announced by Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) Commissioner Nikki Fried, U.S. Sugar Senior Director for Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Judy Sanchez released the following statement: “We applaud Commissioner Nikki Fried, her staff and the Florida Forest Service for their thoughtful review of the state’s open …

prescribed burning

Major Changes to Prescribed Burning

Dan Environment, Florida, Industry News Release

Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried announced major changes and enhancements to the state’s prescribed burning program, which is authorized by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the Florida Forest Service. Prescribed burning in Florida is a national model for successfully managing statewide forests and lands through safe, controlled, carefully managed prescribed fire. A scientifically sound practice, prescribed burning is …

hurricane

Commissioner Nikki Fried Issues Emergency Orders & Actions for Hurricane Dorian

Dan Cattle, Citrus, Field Crops, Florida, Forestry, Fruits, Industry, Industry News Release, Livestock, Nursery Crops, Organic, Pollinators, Specialty Crops, Sugar, Vegetables, Weather

Tallahassee, FL (FDACS) — Ahead of Hurricane Dorian’s expected impact to Florida,Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried has issued a series of emergency orders and actions to provide critical assistance to Florida’s residents and industries. The emergency orders and actions include the following:  Emergency Order 2019-003, which suspends portions of the Motor Fuel Marketing Act that prohibits fuel retailers from selling gasoline below the …

waiver

All Florida Livestock Markets Closed Sept 2-6

Dan Alabama, Cattle, Florida, Georgia, Industry News Release, Livestock

Hurricane Dorian Information for the Cattle Industry IMPORTANT NOTICE (FDACS) — ALL livestock markets in Florida will be closed ALL next week (Sept 2-6) due to holiday and forthcoming hurricane. Effective Immediately The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Animal Industry, has temporarily suspended the intrastate movement requirements for the transportation of animals from the areas expected …

crops

Crop Insurance Deadline Nears in Florida

Dan Economy, Industry News Release, Specialty Crops, Sugar, Wheat

Oats, Potato, Sugarcane, and Wheat Growers Need to Make Insurance Decisions Soon Tallahassee, FL (FDACS)  – The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Risk Management Agency (USDA RMA) reminds Florida oats, potato, sugarcane, and wheat growers that September 30 is the final date to apply for crop insurance coverage for the 2020 …

hemp

‘Florida Farmers Are Going to Be the Best Hemp Growers in the Country’

Dan Hemp, Specialty Crops

“Florida farmers will eventually overtake the rest of the country” in hemp production, predicts Holly Bell, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) director of cannabis. In an interview with Citrus Industry Editor Tacy Callies, Bell summarizes her talk at the general session of Citrus Expo. Bell says “Florida farmers are going to be the best hemp growers in …