The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) announced that almost 65 million acres of U.S. farmland are being actively managed using the 4R Nutrient Stewardship practices. A 4R acre is defined as an acre of U.S. cropland under management using 4R practices, which stands for the right fertilizer source at the right rate, at the right time, and in the right place. These …
USDA Releases Marketing Assistance Funds for Specialty Crop GrowersÂ
America’s specialty crop growers often face challenges that are unique to their segment of agriculture. John Walt Boatright, director of government affairs for the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), says USDA has acknowledged these challenges through the Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops (MASC) program. “A program designed specifically to help specialty crop growers deal with their rising input costs and volatile markets. USDA created …
Learn About New Herbicide Rules and Tackling Troublesome Weeds
The Environmental Protection Agency has been updating its process for registration of pesticides to include more deference to the Endangered Species Act. The agency has recently released new guidance for herbicide applications. Changes will impact how growers use pesticides and can impact how herbicides are applied. There is a lot to digest with these changes. During the Citrus & Specialty …
USDA Serves Up Food Safety Guidelines For Summer Cookouts
(WASHINGTON) — As friends and families get ready to kick off summer by firing up the grill and serving foods at a cookout, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) shares some tips to keep your celebrations safe. “Food safety is a year-round priority, but it’s especially important during summer months when we’re cooking outdoors …
Registration Now Open for the 2025 Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo
Registration is now open for the highly anticipated 2025 Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo. The event takes place Aug. 20–21at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa. Growers and industry professionals are invited to sign up now for complimentary registration to this two-day event filled with education, networking and innovation. Hosted by AgNet Media, the Expo is Florida’s premier event for …
Brooke Rollins Tapped to Lead USDA
President-elect Donald Trump has selected Brooke Rollins to lead the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in his second term. Currently, Rollins serves as president and chief executive officer of the America First Policy Institute. Rollins was formerly director of the Domestic Policy Council and assistant to the president for Strategic Initiatives in the White House under President Donald Trump, where …
Sens. Rick Scott and Mike Crapo Urge Freeze to Ag Wage Rate
Sen. Rick Scott joined Sen. Mike Crapo and 14 of their Senate colleagues in sending a letter to Senate leadership urging it include a freeze to the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) in the earliest possible legislative vehicle. Joining Senators Scott and Crapo were Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Kevin Cramer (R-North Dakota), Pete Ricketts (R-Nebraska), Tim Scott (R-South Carolina), Roger …
Tickets on Sale for the 2024 Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame Banquet
Tickets are on sale for the annual Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame banquet, which will honor three inductees who have made invaluable contributions to Florida agriculture. The Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 13. The banquet celebrates the accomplishments of industry leaders who have served in research, education and business. This year’s event will be …
Florida Report Looks at Conservation vs. Development Scenarios
The University of Florida Center for Landscape Conservation Planning Provides Agriculture 2040/2070 Report is another strong signal of the importance of preserving agriculture and green spaces. Roughly a third of Florida’s land is currently in agriculture, but urban development and, on a much smaller scale, sea level rise are projected to result in the loss of about 120 acres of agricultural land a …
Commissioner of Agriculture Simpson, Legislative Leaders Launch Hurricane Idalia Recovery Programs
The Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson and legislative leaders announced the launch of two agricultural disaster recovery programs with over $112 million in funding to help Florida farmers, ranchers, and growers rebuild and recover from Hurricane Idalia. Impacted agricultural producers can now apply for the Agriculture and Aquaculture Producers Natural Disaster Recovery Loan Program and the Silviculture Recovery Program. …