(FDACS) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released updated projections for citrus production in the 2020-21 season. The December forecast projects a 2 percent decrease in production, with a projected 56 million boxes of Florida Oranges, 4.4 million boxes of Florida Grapefruit, and 1.1 million boxes of specialty citrus. Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried offered the following statement: “When Americans think of wellness and …
Hemp Program Lighting Up Florida Agriculture
(NSF) — Hemp is blazing among Florida’s agriculture inventory in the seven months since it was first allowed to be legally grown in the Sunshine State, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried told business leaders Tuesday. Fried said 22,078 acres are currently licensed for hemp, nearly equal to the acreage in Florida of tomatoes, watermelon and snap peas, and double the …
Commissioner Nikki Fried on U.S. House Passage of MORE Act
(FDACS) — The U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R.3884, the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act, by a vote of 228-164. This comprehensive, bipartisan cannabis reform package would decriminalize marijuana and take much-needed steps to address the racial injustices of prohibition. As of November 2020, a record-high 68 percent of Americans support marijuana legalization. Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, a noted cannabis advocate, offered the …
FDACS Encourages Producers Impacted by Tropical Storm Eta to Seek USDA Disaster Assistance
(FDACS) — With Tropical Storm Eta’s flooding and high winds impacting Florida agricultural operations, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) is encouraging farmers and livestock producers to seek technical and financial assistance available from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). As agricultural producers assess damages, they should contact their local USDA Service Center to report losses and learn more about program …
Registration Deadline Approaches for Hurricane Michael Timber and Irrigation Recovery Block Grant Programs
(FDACS) — The registration deadline for the Florida Timber Recovery Block Grant Program and the Florida Irrigation Recovery Block Grant Program is Friday, November 20. Since the program launched in August, more than 1,500 registrations have been received and nearly $10 million in crop loss payments have been issued to agricultural producers and forest landowners who suffered damage from Hurricane Michael in 2018. “I am incredibly proud of our …
UF/IFAS, FDACS seek help in spreading the word on COVID-19 testing to Florida agricultural workers
(UF/IFAS) — The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension (UF/IFAS) and Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) encourage as many agricultural workers as possible to be tested for COVID-19. Farmworkers will have access to numerous no-cost COVID-19 testing events in some of Florida’s top agricultural counties. Below is a list of upcoming sites. Support for …