Thompson, Boozman Statement on Farm Bill Extension

Clint ThompsonFarm Bill, Florida Grower

WASHINGTON, DC — In response to ongoing negotiations on the farm bill extension and economic aid to  producers, House Committee on Agriculture Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson (PA-15) and Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Ranking Member John Boozman (R-AR) issued the following statement: ”America’s farmers have lost over $30 billion this year. And for the last few months we have led many …

2024 Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame Inductees

Web AdminAgribusiness, Florida Grower

Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson and the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame Foundation announced that Eugene McAvoy, John Hoblick, and John Schlechter as the 2024 Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame Inductees. The induction ceremony will be held at the Florida State Fair’s Agricultural Hall of Fame Banquet on February 13, 2024. “Today, I am proud to announce three new …

Starting Clean Key to Florida Strawberry Success

Web AdminFlorida Grower, Strawberries

By Clint Thompson Florida strawberry growers are close to planting this year’s crop. Success this season will hinge largely on how “clean” the plants are that producers get from nurseries, believes Dustin Grooms, a producer in Plant City, Florida. “Getting good plants is the beginning of it all. If you get problematic plants, you’ll fight with it all year. You …

AgNet Media Announces Launch of Specialty Crop Grower Magazine

Web AdminFlorida Grower

AgNet Media has announced the merger of two of its print brands to create a new magazine — Specialty Crop Grower. The magazine will serve growers of fruit and vegetable crops in the Southeast. Last year, AgNet Media purchased Florida Grower, a 116-year-old magazine with a loyal following among the state’s specialty crop producers. Florida Grower joined AgNet Media’s other …

Florida Ag Hall of Fame Nominations Due Sept. 1

Web AdminEvents, Florida Grower

The Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame, which honors producers, commodity leaders, educators, scientists and others who have contributed to agriculture in the Sunshine State, is accepting nominations for its class of 2024 inductees. There are two ways to nominate: Nominations and supporting materials must be submitted electronically no later than Sept. 1.  “The Hall of Fame celebrates the rich history …

DeSantis Along with State Cabinet Approve Florida Land Deals

Web AdminFlorida Grower

(NSF/TALLAHASSEE, FL/March 13, 2023) — Gov. Ron DeSantis and the state Cabinet on Monday approved plans to spend more than $46 million to help keep from development 21,000 acres in five counties. The deals included two land purchases under the Florida Forever program and acquiring three conservation easements, which will allow landowners to continue cattle and hunting operations in exchange for …

Legislative Bill Aims to Promote Florida Grown Products

Web AdminEvents, Florida Grower

By Clint Thompson Key industry priorities for the Florida Farm Bureau were highlighted during last week’s Florida Agricultural Policy Outlook Conference, hosted by the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Food and Resource Economics Department. Courtney Larkin, director of state legislative affairs with Florida Farm Bureau, discussed a new initiative aimed at promoting Florida grown products. It …

Different Take on Truck Driver Shortage 

Web AdminAgribusiness, Florida Grower

By Clint Thompson Supply chain concerns continue to be an issue for business leaders across the U.S., including specialty crop producers. One industry leader believes a truck driver shortage is not the reason for the problem. Jon Kenneally, chief executive officer for Southern Ag Carriers, discussed the situation during the winter meeting of the Georgia Plant Food Educational Society, Inc. last week …

Florida Peaches Running Behind Schedule

Web AdminFlorida Grower, Stone Fruit

By Clint Thompson The Christmas freeze event brought much needed chill hours to Florida’s peach crop. But it still lags behind historical averages, according to Jose Chaparro, associate professor in the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). He said the crop this year will be delayed as a result. “We’re significantly behind. It looks like our bloom …

Wilton Simpson: Florida’s New Agriculture Commissioner Issues Statement

Web AdminFlorida Grower

 JANUARY 4, 2023 Wilton Simpson was sworn in as Florida’s 13th Commissioner of Agriculture this week. He issued the following statement: “I am deeply appreciative of the privilege and responsibility of serving as Florida’s 13th Commissioner of Agriculture and leading the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. “Florida’s agriculture and related industries are the quiet, and often overlooked, giant of …