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Below you'll find a list of all posts that have been categorized as “Agriculture”
The Farmers’ Almanac announced it has published its last issue, ending a 208-year run. “It is with a heavy heart that we share the end of what has not only been an annual tradition in millions of homes and hearths for hundreds of years, but also a way of life, an inspiration for many who realize the wisdom of generations …
Florida Farm Bureau commented on issues of importance to agriculturists after the government shutdown ended. Parts of the Florida Farm Bureau announcement follow: On Wednesday, Nov. 12, President Donald Trump signed legislation that funds the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Department of Veterans Affairs for the remainder of fiscal year 2026. The measure …
The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) has expanded the reach of its Farm State of Mind initiative by joining with the Farm Family Wellness Alliance to launch the Farm State of Mind Alliance. The Farm Family Wellness Alliance began in 2020 as a pilot project by Farm Foundation and National 4-H Council. It expanded in 2023 to support offering Togetherall …
Sonny Perdue was inducted into the National Agricultural Hall of Fame on Oct. 23 for his contributions to American agriculture. He is a former Georgia governor and U.S. secretary of agriculture and the current University System of Georgia chancellor. Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper nominated Perdue with support from Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and American Farm Bureau President and Georgia …
Several men with strong ties to the citrus industry have been included in the 2025 edition of Florida Trend’s Florida 500. The Florida 500 highlights 500 influential executives from various economic sectors in the state. Florida Trend places a high premium on community service and philanthropy when selecting the Florida 500. “We look for individuals to whom others in their …
A recently launched national Women in Agriculture Study is a comprehensive effort to capture women’s voices from across all 50 states and Puerto Rico. The study’s survey remains open through March 31 to gather insights from women working in production agriculture, agribusiness, education and advocacy. While focusing on women, the survey is also open to men and others in related …
The Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association (FFVA) has named Bryn Fussell director of membership as well as executive director of the Florida Specialty Crop Foundation. She succeeds Sonia Tighe, who retired in September. Fussell will manage FFVA’s membership recruitment, retention and administration efforts. The Florida Specialty Crop Foundation, which she will direct, oversees several scholarship initiatives and the Emerging Leader …
Approximately 2,100 U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency county offices on Oct. 23 resumed core operations during the government shutdown. The action is expected to help farmers access $3 billion worth of aid from existing programs. The Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) reported that Commodity Credit Corp. programs that fully resumed include: GDA reported that intake-only programs that resumed …
Earlier this summer, the Trump administration appointed Marcinda Kester to serve as the state executive director of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Florida and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Kester has worked for FSA for 33 years and most recently served as the FSA county executive director for Florida’s Polk, Hillsborough and Pinellas counties. Prior …
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA NRCS) in Florida has announced fiscal year (FY) 2026 (Oct. 1, 2025 through Sept. 30, 2026) financial assistance opportunities for agricultural producers and forestry operations. The assistance is available through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). While NRCS accepts applications year-round, Florida producers and landowners should …
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson, Senate President Ben Albritton (R-Wauchula) and Senate President Pro Tempore Jason Brodeur (R-Sanford) recently launched Florida’s statewide Farmers Feeding Florida initiative. Spearheaded by Simpson in partnership with the Feeding Florida Network, the Farmers Feeding Florida initiative is a priority of Albritton, sponsored in the Senate by Brodeur. The initiative expands Florida’s food bank infrastructure …
The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) on Aug. 1 sent a series of recommendations to the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission. AFBF stated that the recommendations “will benefit health outcomes and ensure farmers can continue growing safe, healthy and affordable food for America’s families.” “Farmers and ranchers share the goal of advancing health in America,” said Farm Bureau President …
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins recently announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Farm Security Action Plan. The plan elevates American agriculture as a key element of national security. “We’ll never let foreign adversaries control our land, our labs or our livelihoods,” Rollins said. The USDA reported that the U.S. Department of Justice recently charged foreign nationals, including …
Florida Farmer of the Year Jim Alderman recently testified before the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging about the aging agricultural workforce and its impact on food security. “Farming isn’t just about growing crops. It’s about passing down knowledge, discipline and a way of life,” the owner of Alderman Farms in Boynton Beach said. “But that chain of succession is …
Scientists at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service (USDA/ARS) are helping American beekeepers solve the mystery behind widespread honey bee colony collapses and the debilitating effects this has on U.S. agriculture. Researchers have submitted a manuscript to a scientific journal for peer review based on findings that identified high levels of deformed wing virus A and B and …
A new statewide mental health report found that Florida farmers and ranchers face emotional distress, which is worsened by financial pressures and natural disasters. The Florida Farm Bureau Federation (FFBF) in partnership with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Center for Leadership and Mind Your Melon Foundation released the report. The 2025 Mind Your Melon Farmer …
Mind Your Melon recently hosted an event at Southern Hill Farms in Clermont, Florida, to share some insights on a mental health survey and to inform attendees about future plans for the program. Marshal and Taylor Sewell founded Mind Your Melon to raise awareness of mental health issues among farmers and others involved in agriculture. Marshal’s father took his life …
In late 2021, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) published proposed changes to their trapping regulations. Many of the changes would have proven detrimental to farmers’ and ranchers’ ability to control feral hogs and other nuisance wildlife. After extensive public comment received from Florida Farm Bureau Federation (FFBF) and others, the FWC postponed its planned trapping regulations update. …
The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), in partnership with Farm Credit, is seeking entrepreneurs to apply for the 2026 Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge. This national business competition showcases U.S. startup companies developing innovative solutions to challenges faced by America’s farmers, ranchers and rural communities. Applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on June 9. Access the …
Early in her career, Jennifer Schaal worked in public accounting and found herself wanting to make a deeper impact. “For a long time, I felt the desire to help my clients by diving deeper into their organizations’ financials and procedures, but public accounting standards don’t allow for that,” Schaal said. That desire ultimately led her to transition to the citrus …
