Surveys on Pandemic’s Impacts to Florida Ag

Tacy Callies Agriculture, COVID-19, Survey

The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) will conduct surveys to better understand how measures to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 are impacting Florida agriculture and marine industries. Faculty from the UF/IFAS Food and Resource Economics (FRE) department are deploying surveys to UF/IFAS Extension agents and industry professionals to capture this important information. Citrus growers and …

COVID-19 Info for Agriculture

Ernie Neff Agriculture, COVID-19

Important information for agriculture related to the COVID-19 pandemic was issued from numerous sources this week. A brief summary of some of the information follows. Ray Royce, executive director of Highlands County Citrus Growers Association, addressed Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ stay-at-home order that went into effect at midnight on April 2. “All agricultural and agricultural support activities are considered essential …

field heatrings

Public Field Hearings on Seasonal and Perishable Produce Postponed

Daniel Cooper Agriculture, Florida, Food Safety, Georgia, Industry News Release

(USTR) — Consistent with recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the field hearings scheduled in Florida and Georgia on April 7 and April 9 by the U.S. Trade Representative and the U.S. Departments of Agriculture and Commerce will be postponed and rescheduled at a later date. Interested parties are still encouraged to submit written comments and information …

agriculture

Growers and Representatives Meet

Ernie Neff Agriculture, Legislative

State representatives Byron Donalds and Bob Rommel met with citrus and vegetable growers at a Dec. 16 discussion in Immokalee about local agricultural issues. The event was hosted by the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Southwest Florida Research and Education Center. Donalds said he wants to be sure IFAS recommendations, on which best management practices …

UF/IFAS

Jack Payne Announces Retirement

Daniel Cooper Agriculture, Citrus, Citrus Greening, Research

After serving nearly 10 years as the senior vice president for agriculture and natural resources with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), Jack Payne announced he will retire next year. His last day with UF/IFAS will be July 1, 2020. Payne has overseen Extension offices across Florida and its 12 research and education centers since …

meetings

Meetings on Algae, Citrus and Water Management Ring Alarms for Florida Agriculture

Daniel Cooper Agriculture, Citrus, Irrigation, Water

Three meetings this week in three different areas of the state brought more discussion that should wake up producers and others in agriculture who have remained mostly silent for decades. As the state’s population continues to swell by a 1,000 new residents each day, Florida’s population will likely exceed 22-million next year. As the nation’s third most populous state, there’s …

farming

Has Farming Become a Political Whipping Boy?

Daniel Cooper Agriculture, business, financial

By Gary Cooper Urban expansion is impacting agriculture throughout the Southeast. Florida appears to be the first state in this region to dramatically shift to a much more urban-thinking electorate. In light of this year’s primary elections, there are some points Florida agriculturists should be thinking about. I know many of you have been pondering some of this already, based …

support

House Eyes Tax Help for Agriculture Industry

Daniel Cooper Agriculture, hurricane, Industry News Release

Florida’s Hurricane Irma-battered agriculture industry, growing anxious as it awaits federal disaster relief, could land some help from the state House as part of a tax-cut package. The House Ways & Means Committee, which is putting together a package, reviewed three measures Wednesday intended to help the industry, which sustained an estimated $2.5 billion in damages from the deadly September …

Ag Industry Gives Input on Farm Bill

Abbey Taylor Agriculture, Legislative

A House Agriculture Committee listening session, “The Next Farm Bill, Conversations in the Field,” took place on June 24 in Gainesville, Florida. Those who attended the informal farm bill hearing spoke about how they are affected by policies in their daily lives. Farmers, ranchers and stakeholders were encouraged to tell how the bill affects them so that the representatives could …

Troutman Joins Lineup of Florida Ag Commissioner Hopefuls

Daniel Cooper Agriculture, Industry News Release, Legislative

by Lloyd Dunkelberger News Service of Florida Former state Rep. Baxter Troutman entered the race for state agriculture commissioner on Monday, priming his Republican bid for a Cabinet seat with $2.5 million of his own money. “For two decades, I’ve been building a business and continuing my work in Florida agriculture,” Troutman, of Winter Haven, said in a statement. “Real …

AgNet Hosts ‘This Week in Agribusiness’ — An Epilogue

Abbey Taylor Agriculture

By Gary Cooper AgNet Media Founder and President I recently connected with Max Armstrong, host of the nationally syndicated “This Week in Agribusiness” television program, for a fast-paced rural area and farm tour in Central Florida. It turned out to be a great opportunity for all involved, especially for Florida, which deserves more and better national media attention as an …

Agricultural Hall of Fame Tickets Now on Sale

Daniel Cooper Agriculture, Industry News Release

Tickets are on sale for the 38th annual Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame banquet on Feb. 14, 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 State …

‘Come Home’ to UF-UF/IFAS Agriculture and Gardening Day, Oct. 15

Kelsey Fry Agriculture

Agriculture and natural resources interests are invited to come home to the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences and see some informative exhibits during Agriculture and Gardening Day Oct. 15, outside The Swamp. “Come home” because it’s homecoming weekend at UF, and the Gators are playing the Missouri Tigers. People affiliated with agriculture and natural resources have …

farmers market

Finding the Best Farmers Market

Daniel Cooper Agriculture, Industry News Release

American Farmland Trust Reveals Top Ranked Farmers Markets in America Wednesday marked the end of American Farmland Trust’s annual summer-long Farmers Market Celebration – an effort to encourage shoppers across the nation to endorse their local farmers market as “Best in Class,” rallying support for local farms and family farmers. Sponsored Content5 Facts About Fire Ants and How to Control …

Florida Producers Invited to UF Agriculture and Gardening Day

Kelsey Fry Agriculture

Anyone with ties to the agricultural industry is encouraged to get tickets for 2016 Agriculture and Gardening Day at the University of Florida Gators homecoming football game October 15th. Dr. Jack Payne, UF senior vice president for agriculture and natural resources, hopes farmers and ranchers from across the state will attend.         Sponsored Content5 Facts About Fire …

Strauss Joins UF/IFAS Fight Against Citrus Greening

Kelsey Fry Agriculture, Citrus Greening

A new researcher has joined the University of Florida’s fight against citrus greening, which has devastated the state’s industry. Sarah Strauss, a soil microbiologist most recently from Davis, California, has accepted a position at the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Southwest Florida Research and Education Center in Immokalee. Strauss, an assistant professor with an Extension appointment, …

Entomologist Joins UF/IFAS to Help Solve Citrus Greening

Kelsey Fry Agriculture, Citrus Greening

An entomologist with 10 years of research focused on the state’s iconic citrus industry has joined the faculty of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences’ Indian River Research and Education Center (UF/IFAS IRREC). Named Entomologist of the Year in 2012 by the Florida Entomological Society, Jawwad A. Qureshi was selected for a new position as assistant …

Ag Community Urged to Have Strong Turnout for 2016 UF Homecoming Game

Kelsey Fry Agriculture

AgNet Media is proud to join University of Florida Athletics and the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) to promote the 2016 Agriculture and Gardening Day at UF, when the Gators play University of Missouri Tigers at UF’s homecoming football game, October 15, 2016. The staff at AgNet Media are excited to support an event organized to show appreciation …

Why Should Growers Take the Bactericide Survey?

Kelsey Fry Agriculture, Bactericides

With the 2016 Citrus Expo approaching, Harold Browning, chief operations officer of the Citrus Research and Development Foundation (CRDF), is reminding Florida growers to take the bactericide survey if they haven’t already done so. The deadline to complete the survey is August 10. It can be found online at citrusexpo.net. Browning said that the bactericide survey results will be a …

Senator Rubio: ‘If We Don’t Have Replanting, We’re Going to Lose the Industry’

Kelsey Fry Agriculture, Citrus, Citrus Greening, Legislative

On July 21, 2016, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) visited the Lakeland area to tour a citrus grove affected by citrus greening.  Sen. Rubio was joined by Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam. They visited Gapway Groves in Auburndale to meet growers and industry leaders to discuss the grave problem facing Florida’s citrus industry. Rubio and U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) …