Canker Quarantine Expanded in Texas

Clint Thompson Citrus, Diseases, Florida, Top

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced June 30 it was immediately expanding the area quarantined for citrus canker in Texas. The agency added portions of Cameron County near San Benito and Brownsville to prevent the spread of the disease. APHIS confirmed the positive identification of citrus canker in two residential trees in San …

growers

UF/IFAS Names New VP of Agriculture

Tacy Callies Agriculture, Florida

University of Florida President W. Kent Fuchs announced today that J. Scott Angle will be joining the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) as vice president of agriculture and natural resources. His first day will be July 13, 2020.  “Dr. Angle will oversee UF’s College of Agricultural and Life Sciences with more than 6,000 students, the Florida …

Citrus Grower Sees Money-Making Opportunity

Tacy Callies Florida, Georgia

A grower is excited about the potential of citrus in the South Georgia/North Florida region. Kim Jones, who owns a citrus packing facility in Monticello, Florida, and is part-owner of a similar facility that will soon open in Tifton, Georgia, believes citrus will be the alternative crop producers are looking for to stabilize their farming operations. “Right now, the row …

florida

Town Hall Meeting on COVID-19 and Florida Agriculture

Daniel Cooper business, COVID-19, financial, Florida

Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried and Florida Farm Bureau President John L. Hoblick held a town hall meeting on Thursday with the state’s agriculture community on pressing issues. Some of the topics of discussion included: Ensuring agriculture and all related industries are essential at the federal, state and local levels. Promoting the continued and efficient processing of H-2A worker visas. Inter- and intra-state weight waivers for …

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 …