Nikki Fried was sworn in last week as state agriculture commissioner, becoming the first woman elected to run the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. She also is the only Democrat holding statewide office and the first Democrat on the state Cabinet in eight years. Fried is an attorney from Fort Lauderdale who was a student-body president at the …
Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame Tickets Now on Sale
Tickets are now on sale for the 40th annual Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame banquet on Feb. 12, which will honor four inductees who have made invaluable contributions to Florida agriculture. The banquet, which each year celebrates the accomplishments of industry leaders who have served in research, education and business, is held in the Special Events Center at the Florida …
Fried Attends Lunch Meeting with Ag Leaders
At a lunch meeting today in Tallahassee, Florida, with representatives of many of the state’s agricultural organizations, Agriculture Commissioner-Elect Nikki Fried told the group she plans to be a “champion for this industry” in her new role. Several major issues facing Florida agriculture were discussed during the lunch meeting, which was the first meeting of its kind with Fried since …
Hurricane Causes Heavy Losses for Panhandle Farmers
Hurricane Michael will cost Florida farmers an estimated $158 million because of damaged crops, including major damage sustained by cotton farmers, according to a University of Florida study released Friday. Economists with the university’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences projected that nearly 1 million acres of crops such as cotton, nuts and vegetables, along with beef, dairy and other …
Hurricane Michael Damage Estimate to Ag at $1.3 Billion
Agriculture damages from hurricane Michael are estimated at more than $1.3 billion. The Hurricane struck Georgia, Alabama and Florida last week, impacting cotton and pecan growers the most, according to CNBC. President Donald Trump toured damaged areas earlier this week, as did Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue. In Georgia alone, the latest farm-related damage estimate from the storm is $1.2 billion, …
Putnam Says Trade Deal Falls Short for Florida Farmers
Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam would like the renegotiated and rebranded North American Free Trade Agreement to do more to help the state’s farmers. And he’s not alone, as U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., also expressed concerns about the absence of relief for Florida agriculture in the revamped trade pact announced late Sunday. Putnam, who has long been a critic …
Senators Take Aim at Unfair Trade Practices Hurting Florida Fruit and Vegetable Growers
U.S. Senators Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) introduced legislation to help Florida fruit and vegetable growers combat unfair trade practices. The bill comes amid long-standing and increasing complaints from Florida farmers that Mexican growers illegally flood the U.S. market with subsidized produce during the winter season. Florida is one of the few places in the country that can …
Report Shows Florida Agriculture, Natural Resources and Food Industries Grew 2007-2016
The latest installment of an annual report from the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences reveals some good news about the state’s economy – from 2007 to 2016, the portion of Florida’s Gross State Product (GSP) generated by agriculture, natural resources and food industries grew at a faster rate than the state’s total GSP, a statistic commonly …
Fried Promoting a New Face for Florida Ag Commissioner
When the August primaries were over, it left Democratic candidate Nikki Fried and Republican candidate Matt Caldwell left to battle it out for Florida’s Commissioner of Agriculture. During a phone interview with Southeast AgNet, Broward County resident Fried said it’s time for a new face. Fried Promoting a New Face for Florida Ag Commissioner Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Offers …
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 …