Below you'll find a list of all posts that have been tagged as “Florida agriculture”
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is accepting entries for Florida Future Chef 2026. According to the department, the Florida Future Chef is, a statewide student cooking competition that challenges young Floridians to creatively reimagine school meals using Florida-grown ingredients, while learning about the nutrition standards that guide the National School Lunch Program.” Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton …
The Florida Cattle Enhancement Board provides funding to research projects that benefit the cattle industry in Florida. We sat down with Dr. Mario Binelli who shared some details on how the funding from the Enhancement Board has enhanced Brahman genetics. “That is a beautiful program and we have been supported to conduct that program for at least five years. And …
The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences has released results of a study of the Forest Industry in Florida. The findings show that Florida’s forest industry supports more than 103,000 jobs and generated nearly $29 billion in total economic input. According to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, “Florida is home to approximately 16.76 million …
The Florida Legislature has passed the 2026 Florida Farm Bill, sponsored by Senator Keith Truenow and Representative Danny Alvarez. According to the Florida Fertilizer and Agrichemical Association, SB 290, included “preemption of local restrictions on gasoline-powered equipment, the Florida Food Animal Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program, Farmers Feeding Florida Program, and consumer protections and agricultural land access.” Florida Commissioner of …
Florida Beef Council Preparing for Next Year’s Checkoff Programs The Florida Beef Council is working to ensure next year’s checkoff programs remain effective and impactful. We spoke with Deanne Maples with the Florida Beef Council to learn more about their year-end efforts and planning process. As Deanne explained, “We’re coming to the end of wrapping up a great year. We …
Florida’s 14th Annual Peanut Butter Challenge Fights Hunger and Celebrates Local Farmers In Florida, peanut farmers are wrapping up their harvest, and the state is once again rallying around a beloved fall tradition — the 14th Annual Peanut Butter Challenge. This statewide campaign unites communities to fight hunger while spotlighting the strength and importance of Florida’s peanut industry. The challenge …
Florida’s 14th Annual Peanut Butter Challenge Combines Harvest with Hunger Relief As peanut farmers are about halfway through harvesting this year’s crop, Florida is once again rallying its communities for a meaningful cause: the 14th Annual Peanut Butter Challenge. This statewide effort aims to fight hunger and raise awareness of Florida’s vital peanut industry. “Peanut farmers are about halfway through …
Wilton Simpson Commits to Tackling Ultra-Processed Foods in Florida School Meals Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson is taking a strong stance on improving childhood nutrition by addressing the prevalence of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) in school meals. In a recent press release, Simpson praised national efforts and pledged state-level action if needed. “The Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson is …
By Will Jordan Legislation and agriculture are not always friends. Policy can be developed with good intentions but miss the sound advice of agriculture when dealing with environmental, animal, or sustainability topics. Southeast AgNet recently visited with Florida Representative Lauren Melo during the Florida Cattlemen’s Association Convention in Marco Island about what it means to support agriculture as a legislator …
Submitted by Gene McAvoy, Regional Vegetable Extension Agent IV Emeritus with UF/IFAS “Up to the end of Feb our growers were having a banner year and it looked like this season would be one of those homeruns that come around every 5-6 years.” Here is a report that I prepared on the state of S Florida ag and shared with …
